What we’re about
This walking group explores the dynamic past and present of Austin's built environment. Tracing the origins of Austin street names, walking streets in their entirety, and stubbornly circumventing limitations posed by half-baked pedestrian infrastructure plans of yore, these events are intended to be adventures but not guided tours. Librarians and blacksmiths, photographers and mechanics, sociologists and forensic accountants alike should feel welcome, provided we have at least two things in common: a deep curiosity about the city of Austin and two strong feet to carry us where curiosity leads.
This monthly group won’t be the fastest hiking group in the city, but we’ll cover long-ish distances, up to 7-10 miles in cooler months. I won’t assume everyone has a car (I don’t), and if you don't you should have the ability and patience to navigate Austin’s far-from-perfect patchwork of bikeshare, public transit, etc. if needed to get to and from the start and end points.
At the end of these walks we’ll find a place to rehydrate, get some food, and talk about it all.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Northwest Austin Hill Country (Mountain View, Spicewood, Balcones)Mountain View Park Parking , Austin, TX
Annexed by Austin in the ‘70s, this particular patch of Northwest Austin hill country perches atop 100-million-year-old limestone bedrock.
Our six mile walk begins in Mountain View Park, offering a view of the surrounding hillside homes. Crossing Callanish Park Drive, we’ll pick up an unmarked trailhead onto Spicewood Valley Trail, a hidden but beloved neighborhood trail featuring a waterfall and a rock with a hole in it.Upon reaching the southern trailhead, we’ll step into the pocket Spicewood Springs neighborhood, where street names draw from Scottish references such as Isle of Skye and Lord Tweedsmuir. We’ll then connect with a small section of the Bull Creek Greenbelt into Northwest Balcones Neighborhood Park, before looping back to the start.
As always it’s a good idea to bring lots of water, but also bug spray for this walk. Restaurants are scarce within walking distance, so I recommend packing a lunch. There are plenty of picnic tables at Mountain View Park.
TRANSIT LOGISTICS:
- Official walk map
- We’ll meet in the parking lot at 8900 Westerkirk Drive. In the unlikely event that the lot is full, there should also be street parking on Scotland Well Drive, which we’ll cross later in our walk.
