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This gorgeous ride shows you a bit of everything Lakeway Canyonlands has to offer. Technical in parts!


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Map Key

5.8

Miles

9.4

KM

90%

Singletrack

1,166' 355 m

High

766' 233 m

Low

799' 244 m

Up

799' 244 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Be careful on the upper canyon sections as there are some hazardous drop off sections (they are well-marked, but stay aware).

Overview

This is a well maintained 5.8-mile ride with a bit of everything the Lakeway Canyonlands has to offer mountain bikers. You'll find a good variety of terrain and plenty of shade if you stick to the route.

This is an amazingly well-designed trail system with a lot of heart and thought put into it. The Canyon Trail section is probably the most fun section of the whole trip, with bridged creek crossings, nice trail details, and a great waterfall to see in wet months.

Once on the Canyonlands property itself, the Rim Trail winds back and forth to take riders to the spectacular overlooks and vistas of the canyon. Then the Canyon Trail descends into the lower elevations. In winter and spring when the ponds are full, migrating ducks can be seen stopping to rest.

The Rim Trail and its vistas are easily navigated without a ton of leg or lung power. But the Canyon Trail requires greater effort as it is narrower and presents some rocky and technical features. The Mt. Lakeway Trail will challenge even the most experienced riders, but the views are well worth the effort.

Need to Know

When you get to the trail crossing of Canyon Trail and Mt Lakeway Trail, take a minute to read the memorial stone about Ken Parmerter (1962 - 2014)... his tireless work made this trail system a reality for all of us who now get to enjoy it!

The local mtn biking club who rides and maintains these trails is called L.A.M.E (Lakeway Area Mountainbike Enthusiasts). Check em out on their Facebook page.

Description

There are five trail segments that make up this route:
Trophy Trail
High Trail
Rim Trail
Canyon Trail
Mt Lakeway Trail

The main starting point for all the trails and rides in this system is the trailhead of the Trophy Trail, located on Trophy Drive just across from the Lakeway Swim Center.

There is a large trailhead billboard with a large trail systems map visibly obvious from the street. Take the Trophy Trail starting point just to the right of the trailhead billboard where you'll see the "Friends of Lakeway" wooden sign hanging at the start. From that point on, all trail crossings/connects are clearly marked with trail sign posts. Just follow the route here on the MTB Project mobile app and enjoy.

The route is almost entirely ascending or descending with very few 'cruise' sections. About 0.4 miles before the summit of Mt. Lakeway, you'll see a small path off to the right which goes out to an overlook point. This is a great photo op...and a nice place to have lunch and take in the views of the Texas hill country and Lake Travis.

There is a bathroom with a free purified water dispenser just as you start the High Trail segment.

After a fresh rain, you may want to wait to do this ride as the lower Canyon Trail can get a little 'cakey' in sections.

Plan on taking a couple hours or more the first time you take on the whole loop, and get to know its terrain before you go wild with it.

History & Background

You can read more info about the Canyonland trails and their history at the Lakeway Canyonlands
website.

Contacts

Shared By:

Donovan Acker with improvements by Mike Girard

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 16 votes

#889

Overall
  4.5 from 16 votes
5 Star
69%
4 Star
19%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
6%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#31

in Texas

#889

Overall
65 Views Last Month
8,510 Since Dec 13, 2017
Difficult Difficult

0%
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8%
8%
77%
8%

Photos

Initial drop into the Canyon Trail.
Aug 3, 2016 near The Hills, TX
Serene Loop (AKA "Buzzard Loop")
Dec 27, 2019 near The Hills, TX
Fun, rocky descent.
Aug 3, 2016 near The Hills, TX
Atop Mount Lakeway along the Lakeway Trails.
Jan 6, 2016 near The Hills, TX
View from the lookout point towards the top of Mt Lakeway (about 0.4 miles before the top, take the small trail to your right).
Dec 18, 2017 near The Hills, TX
This is the easy 'lead in trail' to the wider set of trails at Lakeway Canyonlands.
Dec 18, 2017 near The Hills, TX

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