Morning Hike on Barton Creek Greenbelt - from Zilker to Gus Fruh

Sunday morning trek and taco alert! 🚨

In the summer, we will be starting our hikes a little earlier to avoid the worst of the heat. On this hike, we will be exploring one of Austin’s most beloved trails: the Barton Creek Greenbelt. We’ll begin at the new mile marker 0 trailhead for the Violet Crown Trail in Zilker Park and make our way along the greenbelt toward Gus Fruh, enjoying a beautiful stretch of trail with creek views, shaded areas, rocky terrain, and plenty of classic Austin nature along the way.

On the way back, we’ll make a stop at Tacodeli near the Spyglass entrance for anyone who wants to grab breakfast tacos, coffee, or a post-hike snack before heading back towards Zilker. 🌮

This route will be about 4.25 miles total, out and back. The trail includes natural surfaces, uneven footing, rocks, roots, and some areas that may be muddy or slippery depending on recent rain, so please wear comfortable hiking shoes and come prepared for typical greenbelt conditions. We’ll keep a social, steady pace and adjust as needed based on the group.

This hike is a great option if you’re looking to get outside early, enjoy some shaded trail time, meet new people, and spend a summer morning moving your body before the day gets too hot.

View the AllTrails Route Here! Please note: we will be starting from the Zilker Park side and hiking toward Gus Fruh.

A few quick details:
🕗 Start time: 8:00 AM on June 14. Please arrive on time! We will start the hike after a 10 minute grace period.
🅿 Parking: There are various parking lots in Zilker Park, including here, here, and here. Parking in Zilker typically fills up fast, but since we are trekking so early in the morning, finding parking should not be a problem.
📍 Meeting point: Violet Crown Trailhead - Click Here for a pin to this exact location!
🥾 Distance: Approximately 4.25 miles out and back
⏱ Duration: About 3 hours, including optional Tacodeli stop
🐶 Dogs welcome, leashed and trail-ready!
💧 Bring water, comfortable hiking shoes, and sun protection

Whether you come solo or with friends, this is a space to enjoy the trail, connect with others, and start the morning with a little adventure.

Can’t wait to hike with y’all 💛