Hill Country/Austin Area Hiking

[Al_4_ISU 12618]

If this is better reserved for the Travel thread, please move.

Looking to take a small (4 day) family vacation in December (Dad/step mom, wife and I) and we're checking possible options.  We're considering Austin due to the combo of milder weather,  lively culture, outdoor recreation, and my dad and I both hating "beach" vacations.  Austin fits the bill as well as anywhere, and I'm curious what the best hiking within an hour to 1.5 hours of Austin is.

We both (dad and I) have pretty good endurance, and have hiked 40+ of the Colorado 14ers, so as much elevation gain and distance as we can get is good.  Preferably in the 10-15 mile range.  Is there any place in that area that provides this?  Would we be better doing San Antonio, or is that more of the same?

Edited August 2, 2018 by Al_4_ISU

[thrillhammer 686]

If you've never been to San Antonio, it might be a better 4-day vacation spot.  It ain't the #1 tourist destination in Texas for nuthin.   Great food, the missions, the riverwalk, great museums, and for hiking I will submit that no urban area has a better or closer nature preserve than Government Canyon.  Over 20 miles of hiking there, all great trails.

For Austin, I would recommend Pedernales Falls, a nice drive through Dripping.  McKinney Falls, as well as Bastrop/Beuscher, are subpar for hiking.  

 

[Al_4_ISU 12618]

Appreciate the recs.  We might end up on a beach somewhere because of the women's preference, but I'll be angling this way for sure.

[thrillhammer 686]

Another option is 4 days in Fredericksburg.  You could get to Pedernales for day hikes faster from there, and it's a pretty relaxing town to vacation in.

[pantone159 727]

Another plus to Fredericksburg, is that Enchanted Rock is nearby. That is one of my favorite place for hiking near Austin. It is about 2 hours from Austin but much closer to FB. There are lots of fun granite domes to hike up and down. The park fills up quick so getting there early gives you the best chance to get in.

 

[DaysOff 8158]

Enchanted Rock is my favorite spot in Texas.

[BottleRocket 659]

Fredericksburg - home base

Day trip to Lost Maples (for hiking) /or/ Enchanted Rock 

Day trip of wineries (for womens) Luckenbach (for mens)

Day trip to San Antonio (for Mexico!)

[SimonBolivar 11041]

You could just stay in Austin and make day trips to SA and Fredericksburg/Enchanted Rock. We day trip to all of those places and we live in Waco so it's easily doable from Austin. Oh and don't worry about elevation gain in Central Texas. Whatever you do don't skip out on San Antonio as it's a different world than anywhere north of it.

Edited August 3, 2018 by SimonBolivar

[thrillhammer 686]

Damn, totally forgot about Enchanted Rock.  Scratch Pedernales and go there instead.  

[Spaulding Smails 1610]

I second San Antonio over Austin.  That time of year, I'd recommend Lost Maples, Enchanted Rock and Government Canyon. 

[dingleberryswitzer 2724]

Strange that so many people are recommending san antonio over austin.  Might be the first time in shaggy surly history.

Just noticed  you said december.  Nothing more depressing and a tease than going to the beach when it's cold.  You should really fight for hill country.   I'd go Fredericksburg.

[Jerry Callo 8956]

Balcones Canyonlands would be an option outside of Austin.