Best Scenic/Interesting Walks in Austin (San Antonio, Round Rock: shops, pool, car)

[austin-steve]

There is another thread about Scenic Drives in Austin. Why not get out of the car and walk? There are a lot of interesting places to go and see on foot in Austin (though you may have to drive to get there).

Some of my favorites walks/hikes:

1) Walking the Barton Creek hike and bike trail from Mopac to Twin Falls and taking a swim at Twin Falls. (Now is a perfect time with the water flowing)
Twin Falls - Barton Creek Greenbelt

2) Walking around Town Lake from the Mopac foot bridge to Congress Ave and back around.

3) Hiking up Mt. Bonnell. More Scenic looking than walking, but the hike up will cause many to huff and puff.
Mount Bonnell Austin aka Mt. Bonnell Austin

4) Walking North on Congress Avenue to the Capital at noon on a weekday.

5) Walking 6th Street just after dark (9PM to 10PM) when many of the bands start kicking in after dinner at Pecan Street Cafe. (Though I don't like being at 6th Street late at night when the crazys start showing up)

6) South Congress (SoCo) shops on a weekend after lunch at Guerros. Some would say S. Congress on First Thursday, but the one and only time I took the family, there were a lot of drunks and we heard the F-word a few too many times for my taste. If I was young and single, though, First Thursday would be it for me.

7) A Walk through Stacy Park in Travis Heights and a swim in Big Stacy pool (year round, spring fed pool).

What would other locals add to the list?
Steve

[pvaustin]

Isn't there a hiking path up/around Mansfield Dam? Is that good?

[Phisch]

When we visited last year, we did #2 on Steve's list. Highly recommended! Some entrepreneur was selling bottled water on one end of the bridge. We also enjoyed walking around a nature center nearby but I can't remember what it was called.

We took the time to drive out the McKinney Falls and found really cool hiking over there. If we'd known, we would have brought our swim suits with us since we came upon a natural pool there.

[atxcio]

I think I remember seeing a bottled water salesperson on town lake a while back, but he would have some tough competition... RunTex, the local running store, provides cold water & cups free every day at the stretching area near the Mopac pedestrian bridge and the stretching area by the S First street bridge (Auditorium shores).

[OzzyRules]

I was told that there was something like the San Antonio Riverwalk somewhere in Austin but I could not find it. (Obviously it is not as large and elaborate or it would be well-known.)

[brattpowered]

Start on E 12th St near Chicon and walk up a few blocks, visiting the boutiques along the way. Go one block north and circle back on 13th st. Especially romantic in the moonlight.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by brattpowered

Start on E 12th St near Chicon and walk up a few blocks, visiting the boutiques along the way. Go one block north and circle back on 13th st. Especially romantic in the moonlight.

What boutiques would those be?

[brattpowered]

Linda's Resale for one... I was just in there today and Linda is quite friendly and helpful. And don't forget the Fashion Grill Shop.

[Austinitegirl]

My husband and I really enjoyed hiking around the Wild Basin Preserve (just off of Bee Cave): http://www.wildbasin.org/

It has a variety of trails to follow and you don't have to be an expert climber or have high tech gear. It's very scenic, but go in the morning - it gets too hot later in the day.

And if you're willing to drive ALL THE WAY to Round Rock - Old Settler's Park has a really nice 2.5 mile hike/bike trail. It's not as heavily wooded as something like Wild Basin, but I would say it's about as nice as Town Lake - maybe nicer...