Great Hills Park

Trail
1.04 Miles
N/A
N/A
3point5stars (3.57)17
1point5stars (1.78)
2point5stars (2.63)
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
Austin
Travis
More Info

Getting there: From central Austin head north on Highway 183. Take the Braker Lane exit and go through Breaker. The next street is Balcones Woods Drive, turn left on this road which should turn into Floral Park Drive when it crosses 183. Drive passed Jollyville Road and look for the trailhead after several large blocks on the right side of the road. There is no parking area, so try to find a safe place to park along the street.

Photos
creek
just part of the creek systerm (Photo by jimmy peace)
calcium formation
along the formation wall (Photo by jimmy peace)
fresh water spring
discovered this spring (Photo by jimmy peace)
rock formation
pretty formation (Photo by jimmy peace)
along the trail
shaded trails (Photo by jimmy peace)
cave formations
awesome formations off the trail (Photo by jimmy peace)
Trailhead
The start of the trail along Floral Park Drive. (Photo by Austin Explorer)
Trail View
Much of the trail has a wide path, but some of the less travelled trails are rougher and more closed in. (Photo by Austin Explorer)
Look for the signs
Finding your way along the side trails is easy with these signs. (Photo by Austin Explorer)
Another Trail View
Houses line the ridge over looking the park, though they are not always visible. (Photo by Austin Explorer)
Creek
Great Hills Park is a greenbelt along several small creeks that run through the neighborhood. (Photo by Austin Explorer)
Log Entries
was getting quite warm this afternoon
By jimmy peace on 5/23/2019
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 2point5stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours

the creek was still running

 

always a nice hike
By jimmy peace on 4/26/2017
Rating: 2stars Difficulty: 1point5stars Solitude: 3point5stars
Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: N/A

even saw a fresh spring

Great Hike on a Great Day
By offoxandbear on 3/18/2017
Rating: 4point5stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 3.06 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 25 minutes

This is our second time on this trail. We've really enjoyed it both times.

There are quite a few creek crossings and the water was high enough that our corgi got his paws and undercarriage pretty wet. It was still very easy for us to stay out ot the water though.

We started at the playscape and hiked to the end of all the branches of the trail, which is really well marked, to get in a 3 mile hike.

The trail is very scenic at times with rock cliffs and tiny waterfalls in a few places. There were a lot of people at the playscape area and a few hikers on the trail, but overall it's pretty quiet out there in the middle of the suburbs.

Great Hike
By offoxandbear on 6/18/2016
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Really liked this hike. Even though you're near houses most of the time, it never really feels like it. Not too difficult, but not too easy either.

another gem in austin
By jimmy peace on 5/10/2016
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 4point5stars
Distance: 2.70 Miles Duration: N/A

i love this trail, 

Nice trail hidden in the city
By penecow290 on 1/31/2016
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2point5stars
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A

This is a good escape for an in-city trail. Lots of off leash dogs, not too many people for a nice weekend day. We will come back and do some more as we missed part of the trail.

Not bad for a first timer!
By zannaATX on 8/19/2013
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1star
Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: N/A
My friend and I have been running in neighborhoods and have started getting a tad bit bored so we decided to start running trails, instead. The west entrance off sierra was a bit rough. I am unsure if it is because it isn't used as often, but we could not find a path through the trees.. we tried to no avail and gave up went back the way we came. We only came across one lady and a dog off leash. A few small creeks to cross, but they were low enough we could walk the rocks.
Several creek crossings
By terlanmat68 on 9/15/2012
Rating: 2point5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2point5stars
Distance: 3.16 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 34 minutes
The trails were a little muddy after rains this week but not bad.
By Phenom on 3/12/2011
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A
A little to close to houses for our comfort, every-time we wandered a bit we would just run into someone's backyard. Would be cool if I lived right up the street but otherwise no.
Great!
By texaskdog on 3/22/2010
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 5 minutes

This hike is easy to park (on the road but easy), lots of water crossings, waterfalls, small cliffs, lots of trees, and even though the houses are very close, they arent quite so visible as they are in Balcones Park.  Best hike I've found in the NW 183 area yet!

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