Hiking enables an individual to enjoy a slower pace of life and to look upon nature's hidden treasures. Being so vast in size with diverse landscapes, Texas has plenty of options for those looking to spend time on foot in the outdoors. Away from the congested urban centers and into the serenity of seclusion, the following destinations have proven to be the top choices for hiking in the Lone Star State.
Palo Duro Canyon
Second in size only to the Grand Canyon, this natural attraction is something for both the eyes and legs to behold. Being 120 miles long and 20 miles wide, the numerous hiking trails intertwine through the deep gorges and the towering mesas. Millions of years of water erosion from the Red River have created an extremely dramatic landscape that is contrasting to the Panhandle's flat and dusty plains. The thirty miles of marked trails in Palo Duro Canyon pass by unique natural landmarks such as the Devil Slides, the Lighthouse and the Spanish Skirts, where layers of colorful sandstone can be seen. The constantly changing elevation when trekking through gorges, drops and mesas create a challenge that is ideal for any hiker.
- Location: Panhandle
- Nearest major city: Amarillo, TX
- Trail Lengths: 30 miles
Big Bend National Park, along the border of Mexico in West Texas is the hiker's paradise with trails riding through the lowlands and up to the 7,800 ft. peaks. There are numerous options for day and overnight hiking with over 150 miles of trails. For a day hike, the Grapevine Hills Trail, The Pine Canyon Trail or the Mariscal Canyon Rim Trail are recommended as each is under seven miles long; a perfect way to pass the day. For adventurous backpacking trips, however, one needs to take on the Backcountry, which requires a permit from park headquarters for entrance. The High Chisos reach the highest peaks and provide one with breathtaking scenery and solitude. Other trails include the South Rim and the Emory Peak Summit, which take eight and five hours respectively.
- Location: Big Bend, West Texas
- Nearest major city: El Paso, TX
- Trail Lengths: 150 miles
Enchanted Rock Sate Natural Area
Having the oldest piece of exposed rock in North America at over one billion years old, the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a treasure within the Texas Hill Country region. The giant pink granite dome has an extensive archaeological history and has been featured in numerous Texan Native American legends. A favorite trail among hikers is the 425 ft. summit, four miles of which wrap around the base of the rock. Those who are experienced and want to go beyond the normal hike can do a 1,000 ft. rock climb into the Enchanted Rock Fissure, one of the largest granite caves on Earth. So important to the state is the preservation of this rock, that all campgrounds are primitive.
- Location: Texas Hill Country, Central Texas
- Nearest Major City: Austin, TX
- Trail Lengths: 7 miles
Colorado Bend State Park
Colorado Bend State Park has an abundance of caves and waterfalls, creating constant dramatic changes in the local landscape. The park is famous for its 60ft waterfall, Gorman Falls, the area around which must be traveled with a guide. Trails include the Spicewood Trail, where hikers can look upon several smaller waterfalls, and the River Trail, which has the most scenic views in the area. Visitors feeling more adventurous can tour the caves some of which are so narrow that they require crawling.
- Location: Central Texas
- Nearest Major City: Austin, TX
- Trail Lengths: 25.5 miles
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The Guadalupe Mountains National Park falls over the Texas/ New Mexico state line in West Texas and provides hikers with a beautiful diverse landscape. The hiking trails wind through desert, mountains, oases and numerous bodies of water. The lengths and levels of difficulty for each of the fifteen hiking trails vary from 45 minute walks to overnight backpacking. The El Capitan/ Salt Basin Overlook Trails require six to eight hours to complete from the Chihuahuan desert to the south end of the mountain range while the Lost Peak Trail requires a hiker to go up 1540 ft in elevation from the meadows and can require one to camp overnight to finish. Those looking for an easier route an walk along the Indian Meadow Nature Trail, which takes only 30 to 45 minutes.
- Location: West Texas
- Nearest Major City: El Paso, TX
- Trail Lengths: 80 miles
Elizabeth Pelz - This aspiring visual anthropologist utilizes her research, travel, cultural interests and love of writing to relay information to ...
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