Return to The Canyonlands

Worth returning to
User: heatharcadia - 12/22/2016  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 4.32 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 24 minutes

I was looking for a new place to hike and found this area. I didn't end up doing all of the trails, so I'll have to come back. I encountered several mountain bikers and a few other hikers/trail runners, but for most of the time I was alone. There are nice water features to take in (multiple small waterfalls) and good views.

I began to go up the Mt. Lakeway trail (which connects to the Canyonlands trails), but turned around before I got all of the way up because I didn't know how long it would be and I was running out of water. I'll have to return with more water to do that whole trail and finish the parts of the Canyonland trail that I skipped! 

What I didn't like: You could hear (and in some places, see) construction work going on, building new neighborhoods on the sides of nearby hills, and near the start of the trail there is some kind of treatment facility that stinks up the area. But the trails are varied enough and interesting, so I still enjoyed myself. 

Terrific Scenery
User: trailsforever - 2/18/2016  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4point5stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 3point5stars
Distance: 10.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Cayonlands Trails now connect with Mt Lakeway Trail which connects with Serene Hills Trail which connects with Bee Cave Primitive Trails.

For map see website: http://www.lakewayparks.com/lakeway-west.html

Variable Hike
User: mgialusis - 5/17/2014  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 3point5stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A

This was a really cool hike.  We were pleasantly surprised with the variety of the hike.  There were shady areas, non-shady areas, parts near a creek, parts with a very narrow trail next to a field of flowers, inclines, declines, etc.  It had it all.  There were so many trails, we actually got a little lost.  We were very happy we took a photo of the map when we arrived because it helped us find our way out.  We came across 3 mountain bikers and 2 couples hiking, so there was pretty good solitude.  

One of my favorites
User: texaskdog - 1/25/2014  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3point5stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes

I have this #5 behind McKinney Roughs, Walnut Creek, River Place, and Barton Creek for near-Austin hikes (with Hamilton Greenbelt in Lakeway #6).  Don't be fooled by the loop on the map here.  That is the serene loop and its far less interesting and shorter than the rest of the park.  Head to the right on one of the two trails instead of going left to Serene Loop.  They will intersect, and then had left on the Canyon Descent Trail.  You head down and then eventually back up in a loop through the park (though avoid the Rim trail on the way back its about the only dull trail in the park).  Download the city of Lakeway map as you will need it to find your way around.  Great trail in a nice area!  Well worth the drive.

User: trailsheaven - 8/24/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: N/A

New spur trail from west side of the canyon leads to Mt Lakeway and incredible views in all driections. Beautiful Madron forest along the way.

User: texaskdog - 6/6/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 7 minutes

It was nice, we tried to hike all the trails but got turned around and missed a few in the middle of the west/north loop.  Other than that they do label most trails with arrows.  Erica took a pic of the map which we hope to post as the topo map on here doesnt show everything on that side.  They've built some bridges which ruins some of the water crossing appeal.  Saw one guy on a bike but no one else.   Very nice hike and worth a trip to Lakeway.

Hidden Gem
User: bkalmick - 2/14/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 12 minutes
I took my wife on Valentines day and we discovered in our opinion; the most romantic hike in town. Stay to the right and you will find the hidden natural pools and trust me; you wont want to leave!
Charming hike with a couple of choices for hikes.
User: swedegirl5 - 2/6/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 3.20 Miles Duration: N/A

As others have described, this an attractive walk with three trails that can easily be completed in an hour.  Just enough ups and downs and just enough change in the scenery to please everyone. 

User: JKTX - 10/25/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A
A hidden gem, though I am sure it helped that it finally has started raining. The hike along the power lines was not an accurate predictor of what was in store ahead. Beautiful trails. If you turn left at the trailhead, you go on a fairly flat, beautiful hike crossing the stream several times and walking around a beautiful pond. Go to the right, and you have a choice of hiking the rim trail with good views, or take the descent trail into the canyon. While the trails are somewhat short, eye candy abounded. Another pond, a stream, very wooded. Really a treat and I will be visiting again.
Still love it out there!
User: BANDA - 11/1/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes

This was the latest of many trips we have made to the Canyonlands. We hiked every single trail out there today, including the new half-mile trail on the west side of the park. All of them are great, and even though this was a beautiful Saturday, we only saw a handfull of other people. The trees are starting to show some pretty fall colors, and is is very quiet and peaceful out there. We really enjoyed it!

Getting Better
User: Austin Explorer - 1/13/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A

This is my third trip to the Canyonlands and things have been spiffed up a bit since we last came.  The trails seemed to have had some attention.  Ambled to and fro along the trails with the family, picking up the four geocaches that reside here.  It's a great little trail and a gem for folks living in the area.

User: Texpride12 - 8/31/2005  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A
The hike was a bit hot but was shaded in many spots which made for some nice cool canyon breezes in some spots. Not a very hard trail although the hike back up to the top may be a bit difficult for beginners or elderly. I did here a bit of contruction going on which is a shame but overall it made for a decent trek. It was a bit dry during our hike but the creek bed showed signs of holding water during the wet season so I might try it again at a different date to see how much it changes.
Gorgeous park!
User: BANDA - 7/12/2005  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4point5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A
Wow, I had no idea this park even existed until I happend across it on this website! It is gorgeous! Really nice, quiet, and scenic area! Granted I was there during the week but I didn't see any other people!
biking not prohibited
User: taylor814 - 6/23/2004  [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A Difficulty: N/A Solitude: N/A
Distance: N/A Duration: N/A
I checked the entrance, and called the city, biking is not prohibited, but I have yet to attempt it, will update if I survive.
Came back to complete the trails
User: Austin Explorer - 5/8/2004  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 3point5stars Solitude: 3point5stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A
My previous trip was cut short and I failed to get to what turned out to be the more interesting part of the park, the northern end. It's rockier and steeper and a bit more interesting. Redid the southern half to do all of the trails at once. Heard, but never saw other people on the trail.
New hiking for Lakeway
User: Austin Explorer - 4/17/2004  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: N/A
Coppertone and I came to the park today to hike a new geocache, so we did not get a chance to hike all of the trails. We'll be back. The trail leading to the canyon is relatively open to the sky, but once you get down to creek-level the foliage closes in on you. The start of the trail is relatively flat and spongy with the mulch laid down. The terrain gets more steep and rocky in the canyon itself.
New hiking trail in Lakeway
User: figment - 1/16/2004  [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: N/A
This trail starts at the trailhead sign on the side of the road. The hiking trail is the mulched path leading off to the right (there are also tire tracks leading straight to the edge of the "canyon"). The trail starts out easy, and then comes to the rim of a canyon about 50 feet deep. At the bottom of the canyon is a wet-weather creek with two ponds, both dry when I visited. The hiking around the rim is flat, and two trails drop into the bottom of the canyon, and then climb back out. Unfortunately, there are a lot of power lines, buildings, and other structures visible from the rim trail. This is a great hike for Lake Travis residents, but I prefer hiking the Hamilton Greenbelt in Lakeway - it's longer and feels more remote.