| Trail |
   (3.75) |
| (2.18) |
|
| 0.31 Mile |
190 Feet |
| N/A |
No
|
| Yes |
No |
|
Free
|
|
| Austin |
Travis |
|
Take Action
|
Getting there: From MoPac Expressway in Central Austin, take the 35th Street
exit and head west. Proceed past Camp Mabry on the right and veer left in the fork on the
road onto Old Bull Creek Road. Turn right onto Mount Bonnell Road and lumber up the the
hill and look for parking on the left when reaching the crest.
The Hike: Mount Bonnell is more of a tourist spot than a hiking destination.
Nevertheless it does provide a short trail to go along with the spectacular views that draw
so many people there. The trail begins at the stairs leading up to the summit of Mount
Bonnell, marked by the waypoint "Trailhead" on the topo map.
Mount Bonnell is generally considered the highest point in Austin at 775 feet, a fact which
may or may not be true in the future as Austin expands in all directions. The peak is
named for George Bonnell, who served as Commissioner of
Indian Affairs for the Texas Republic. He first moved to Austin in 1839.
 | | From the main trailhead these stairs lead to the top of Mount Bonnell. |
Known universally as Mount Bonnell, the peak actually resides in Covert Park, a name with which
few Austinites would identify. The park is named in honor of the person who provided the
land on which it sits, Frank M. Covert Sr. The park was transferred to the City of Austin in
1939, exactly 100 years after the arrival in Austin of the man who provides the name for
the park's peak.
 | | This pavilion marks the top of Mount Bonnell. it can often get crowded. |
The hike is not particularly difficult - people of all athletic abilities "hike" it every day.
But the initial stair climbing is a bit of a workout. This initial stretch of the trails
accounts for most of the 190 feet of elevation gain encountered.
A pavilion sits at the top of the mountain offering sweeping views, particularly to the west
into the Hillcountry. Downtown Austin can be seen to the southeast, but you may have to find
an ideal spot in order to get a completely clear view. Mount Bonnell served as a popular
picnic spot as far back as the 1850's.
 | | From the southern side of Mount Bonnell, looking south down Lake Austin. |
Most of the people who visit Mount Bonnell congregate here at the pavilion and along the
natural rock steps to the south. The "steps" are large slabs of rock that slope downward.
Some of the steps are somewhat significant and require a bit of care. A couple of different
Lake Austin views are possible from this vantage point.
 | | Although the trail at Mount Bonnell is short, there is quite a bit of stairs to climb, both natural and man-made. |
Heading back up to the pavilion, the trail continues to the north. Like the south side, the
trail here slopes downward, but the trail is composed of dirt and gravel and not the rough
slabs of rock. There are somewhat fewer people here, but the views are every bit as
exhilarating as those found south of the peak.
The northern trail strays a bit farther from the peak than the southern spur and then makes a
sharp right turn and dumps out the hiker at the northern edge of the parking area. On busier
days parking here may be easier the entrance at the waypoint "Alt-TH" can be used as a
trailhead.
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