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A rugged, taxing singletrack traversing the Balcones Escarpment.


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Map Key

4.5

Miles

7.3

KM

Singletrack

1,379' 420 m

High

1,048' 319 m

Low

495' 151 m

Up

317' 96 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

10%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Unknown

Government Canyon State Natural Area is open Friday through Monday, 7 am to 10 pm. Some additional openings are found around major holidays, and there may be closures after inclement weather to protect the trails. Check their website for updates.

Admission for visitors 13 years and older is $6. Overnight camping is available.

Description

Stretching across Government Canyon's backcountry, Sendero Balcones cuts a path along the top of the Balcones Escarpment. This rough, rock-strewn trail requires constant attention to pathfinding and can be very mentally tiring.

The track splits off from Recharge Trail at a signed map and a trail marker just east of Bluff Spurs. It is a rocky, moderately technical singletrack, at times widening to doubletrack. The rocks come in varying sizes. It requires an eyes-down approach to riding and a slower pace than other area trails. On the up side, nearly the entire trail is covered by tree canopy, providing plenty of shade from the scorching Texas sun.

The path makes a steady, low-grade climb up to the top of one of the Balcones' many hills over its first mile. The second entry to Bluff Spurs is found about a half mile in, at another map/marker intersection. From here, it's a remote-feeling mile and a half to the next intersection, with a few brief smooth segments breaking up the constant rock hopping and dodging. Thanks to the thick tree cover, the view doesn't change much, but the plant life makes the air fragrant and cool.

Wildcat Canyon Trail and Far Reaches Trail come together just before the two-mile point. The high point of the trail is about a half mile after, and a noticeable descent follows. The signed turnoff for Twin Oaks Trail is also the edge of the Protected Habitat Area, which takes up the northeast section of the park which is open to pedestrians only.

Watch for a flat rock creek crossing a little after the three-mile point, near the first turnoff for Black Hill Loop. The last climb follows soon thereafter. A few faint false leads will split off to the left; keep an eye out for the brown trail markers to keep on track.

The second turnoff for Black Hill Loop is easy to miss, as the signs face away from the trail. Look for the Habitat Area gate to help out.

Sendero Balcones ends about half a mile later, turning south and becoming the northern end of Joe Johnston Route.

Contacts

Shared By:

Kristen Arendt

Trail Ratings

  3.4 from 7 votes

#21062

Overall
  3.4 from 7 votes
5 Star
14%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
29%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#586

in Texas

#21,062

Overall
17 Views Last Month
1,699 Since Feb 18, 2016
Difficult Difficult

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Photos

Lots of rocks on the outer loop near sendero balcones
Oct 9, 2019 near Helotes, TX
Turning off of Little Windmill, headed north on Sendero Balcones down a steep decent into a creek bed and then a quick ascent
Jul 11, 2016 near Helotes, TX

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 17 days ago
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