Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail
Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail
4.5
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Scenic trail through lush green parks and peaceful lakes: a great place to bike, hike and run.
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Neighborhood: South Austin
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,751 reviews
Excellent
2,050
Very good
580
Average
105
Poor
6
Terrible
10
Mike H
Austin, TX4 contributions
Apr 2021
This trail was once the main reason I moved to Austin and now I won't go near it and I dang sure wouldn't recommend any female travel on it alone. Homeless everywhere! The homeless plague this once beautiful city and the grow in number by the day. I have no clue what the benefit is to the city and its residents to let it turn to trash like it has. Please tell me who this benefits because it's not the homeless? Do we sacrifice an entire city and its safety for the sake of letting mentally ill people suffer atrocities while living on the street? The mayor "Cabo Steve" is a joke and literally thinks this is the Austin of the future.
Written April 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beamr
Conroe, TX86 contributions
Sep 2020
After 50 years of passing through Austin, I finally had a chance to spend some time and get to know the City. Walked this trail one evening and it really is an asset to Austin. Shaded, good gravel surface walking along the lake through downtown. Made you feel like you were in an European City not a City in the middle of Texas. Austin has been expanding its trails and it shows. No wonder people want to live here. Best way to experience this trail in the downtown area as a walker is to go down one side, cross a bridge and return on the other side. If you time this right, you can hit the S. Congress Bridge bats at sunset in the summertime. Just take a headlamp for getting back to your car. After work hours it is very busy. If you want to ride your bike, its best to go during off hours or you will spend the whole time dodging walkers and dogs. A bell should be required. Multiple bikes came zipping past without even calling out. As a bike rider too, it seems like it would be annoying to be on parts of this trail in the evening or weekend mornings but definitely would be a fun ride at other times. I still don't like the requirement to use a phone app to park your car, so we went after hours.
Written September 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Solutions123
Austin, TX239 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
Surprisingly Austin lacks walking and biking trails that connect neighborhoods. I lived in Colorado for a long time and we had trails from the suburbs to the city and from west to East of the Denver suburbs. It was amazing. Lady Bird Lake trail is really one of a few really well developed bike and walk trails that I have experienced so far. And it has a nice scenery.
Written June 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodney Rodriguez
Houston, TX26 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. It’s really pretty. At this lake you can get boat rides at a very affordable price and take breath taking pictures for everlasting and unforgettable memories.
Written July 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
journeyhitherandyon
Denver, CO44 contributions
Jan 2020
Austin dammed the Colorado River just downstream of downtown to help manage flooding and control stream-flow. The area behind the dam is known as Lady Bird Lake, and really, it's just the Colorado River's natural high-flow level permanently maintained for the citizens (and visitors!) of Austin to enjoy. There is a 10+ mile loop trail that runs along the river/lake with oodles of access points from all around town. Just walk down to the river and take off in either direction. There are plenty of pedestrian bridges to allow you to cross over to the other side and you can either do the entire loop or create a mini-loop of your own by using those bridges. We say birds, turtles, joggers, bikers, walkers . . . and bats at the Congress Ave. portion of the trail.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bluesmama
Havertown, PA23 contributions
Dec 2019
This bike/hike trail is a wonderful way to get a sense of Austin, to be near the river sights, and to navigate the lower end of the city. However, due to the expanding homeless population that lives there, this has also become an area that is difficult to keep clean.While I never felt afraid (Austin's homeless are not aggressive), this is a common issue that many cities struggle to deal with in a humane and positive way.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John B
Toronto, Canada2,863 contributions
Nov 2019
When in downtown Austin be sure to take advantage of the trails which run alongside Lady Bird Lake (also known as the Ann & Roy Butler Trail). It can get a little muddy after heavy rains but is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. Be sure to walk across the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge by S. Lamar Blvd. for some great views of the lake and downtown skyline.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adventuregrl33
Austin, TX2 contributions
Mar 2020
Check out Bicycle Sports Shop on South Lamar to rent your bikes, and then head out to the hike and bike trail (heading East) for a spin around the lake. Make a stop on Rainey Street for some refreshment and continue on from there. A fund way to spend the afternoon
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamTex
Houston, Texas224 contributions
Sep 2021
We walked over four miles on the trail and really enjoyed the walk. It is necessary to watch for bikers who sometimes come whizzing by without any advance notice, but the beauty of the walk is worth it. We walked over toward Barton Springs where there is a pedestrian (and bike) bridge. That area has some nice spots where you can see a lot of paddleboarders and people in kayaks and canoes.
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GregLynn M
Wyckoff, NJ611 contributions
May 2020
The Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail provide a great place to run, walk, or cycle outdoors. Great view of Austin. Great lake to take up water sports.
Written June 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola! Existe algún parque público lindo en Austin donde se pueda hacer una horas de picnic??
Written June 7, 2023
We are headed to Austin and wanted to bike lady bird lake but the weather is NOT cooperating. Is there a driving tour around the lake?
And do the bats come out if it is raining?
Written October 29, 2019
We would like to do bike the lady bird trail by renting bikes but we have a son who would need a 20” bike. Does anyone know any other bike shops other than Austin Bike Pro Shop where kids bikes can be rented?
Written March 22, 2019
Not sure. Check around, lots of people are renting bikes.
Written March 23, 2019
Hi, thanks for your review. I was wondering if it is possible to rent the bikes on an hourly basis, or if it’s for a full day. Also, do you know what rental app it was? Thanks!
Written August 8, 2018
I would go to Austin Sports Bike Shop on S. Lamar; better, lighter bikes, some of their rentals you may take into the Greenbelt.
They have hourly and 24hr.
For lower profile there are plenty around the lake and Zilker Park, even the City of Austin have bike sharing stations at all the right places that charge you as you use it.
If going on summer time be prepare for the heat from 10am to 8pm, the worst is 12-6pm.
Written August 10, 2018
Where is the best place I could park and get to the trail for scenic spots to take pictures?
Written February 5, 2017
We used the free parking on South Pleasant Valley Rd. As you go toward South Lakeshore Blvd. or left from S. Lakeshore Blvd. and on your left.
Written February 5, 2017
gary78666
San Marcos, Texas
I want to take my dog and hike well walk fast on the lady bird trail. is there parking on the street
Written February 21, 2016
Yes there is parking all along Lakeshore Dr which gives you immediate access to the trail.
Written February 23, 2016
Truly1212
Angels Camp, California
Does anyone know of a suitable place to roller skate in Austin?
Suitable being paved, somewhat smooth, and at least 2-3 miles long?
Bike/running paths? College campuses? State Capitol?
Thanks for the help!
Written September 30, 2015
The veloway is a dedicated path just for that:
Attraction_Review-g30196-d6157435-Reviews-The_Veloway-Austin_Texas.html
Only bikers, rollerskaters, and rollerbladers allowed. It's around 3 miles and paved.
Written October 1, 2015
Truly1212
Angels Camp, California
Is the trail skateable? Smooth? How long it the trail?
Thank you!
Written September 28, 2015
The trail is NOT skateable. It is
crushed granite. The trail has loops of approximately 2.9, 3.1, 4.6. 6.9 and 10.1 miles. Of course you can do "out and back" which many people do. The "zero" marker is at South 1st and Riverside and increases going west and then across the lake under Loop 1.
Written September 29, 2015
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