Hiking for Health in Austin

Written by Ashley Bazan

One of the many benefits of living in Austin is the miles of parks and trails throughout the city. For those looking to explore new trails for the health benefits, or just to spend time in nature, the walking and hiking trails in Austin are amazing! 

Cardio doesn’t have to be boring, and by including new hiking or walking routes in Austin, you can vary your exercise without having to travel far.

Walking just 30 minutes a day at a brisk pace where you can maintain nasal breathing can have a drastic impact on your health. Not only is it a free, easy and accessible method to decrease blood pressure and resting heart rate, but this daily increase of activity is a fat burning tool that can also help improve mood by lowering stress, and help you gain energy. If you are looking to vary your daily aerobic exercise, hiking around the city is a must do!

Lady Bird Lake is a staple in Austin with scenic downtown views, ample parking, and water stops along the trail. Take a look at the map for various distance options ranging from 1.08 miles to 10.15 miles. This is a great spot to meet up with friends and catch up during a walk, plug in to a podcast or just enjoy the sunshine along the trail. 

McKinney Falls State Park is located just 12 miles from downtown and has nearly 9 miles of trails. These trails range in difficulty from easy to moderate. After a long hike you can take a dip in Onion Creek to cool off!

Walnut Creek Park, a 293 acre park located in north Austin, has paved hiking and cycling trails and an off-leash dog area. This trail spans from Mopac south to Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park. It has 9 creek crossings and 4 trail heads. 

With high summertime temperatures, be sure to time your hikes before or after the hottest part of the day (from 3-6 pm), hydrate well and let someone know where you are headed. 

 

To work with a personal trainer who will encourage you to get out on the trails in Austin, click here to schedule your free consultation and assessment!