Hard to believe you can drive 20 minutes north of Downtown Austin and hop on some trails, but it’s true. Mountain biking Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park is 15 miles of non stop riding fun. Designed as a place for Austinites to enjoy the great outdoors, this park has something for everyone. For mountain bikers, the trails range from green circles to black diamonds all in a 293 acre park. Watch for hikers and off leash dogs on the trails.
Mountain Biking Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
WCMP Cornering TT
Switchback Forest
The Original Mark’s Art
Windy Loop
BMX Loop
Not a lot of climbing involved as you can see by the elevation profile above. 400 ft of climbing in the 8.77 miles we rode. The trails were mostly smooth and hard packed with a few roots and rocks. Windy Loop and Severe Consequences were the most challenging sections. A few technical spots but if you ride Severe Consequences counter-clock wise the most difficult spot will be a downhill.
I didn’t notice any signs for one direction trails. In fact, once we were on the trail system we really didn’t pay much attention to which trail, or which direction we rode. The trails are marked but a “Tangle of Trails” is an apt description since they loop and crisscross all over the park. My advice? Just ride! When you get tired, head back to the parking lot. You do have to cross the road to get to the BMX trail. It’s listed as a black diamond on mtbproject.com . The long, steep drop-ins at the pump track may be the reason for the black diamond classification. Otherwise, I thought it was a fun ride. Fast, smooth and swoopy. You can bypass the pump track if you don’t want to ride it.
Where We Stayed
The Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake sits near Interstate 35 and the Colorado River in the southeast corner of downtown Austin. No complaints at all. It was clean, comfortable, well appointed with a welcoming staff. The free onsite parking and central location were key for us.
Austin Highlights
Austin is young, hip and pulsing with energy. Rainey Street hits all those notes. From the Holiday Inn, a short stroll down the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail will connect you to this popular Austin party street. We wandered up and down trying to choose between food trucks, bungalow bars, a fancy sit down or a sweet little donut shop. Whatever your craving, Rainey Street has the fix. Don’t pass up Little Lucy’s Mini Donuts.
Heading East on the Hike and Bike Trail takes you past Lady Bird Lake and the gentrified and charming Holly Neighborhood of East Austin. We were there in October, a very pleasant time of year to be in Austin as it can be quite hot and humid during the Spring and Summer months. Our oldest daughter lives in Austin so I’m sure we’ll be back to explore more mountain biking and more Austin.
