Barton Hills and Barton Creek

Barton Creek has been an immensely popular hangout since at least the 17th century, when Tonkawa and Comanche Indians set up camps in the area. It’s so popular that unlike so many other “gems” described in history literature it skips the typical adjective “hidden.”

Avoiding the crowds, our 6.6 mile walk (route map here) won’t avoid society- first walking past the celebrated Monkey Tree of Zilker Park we’ll wind southwest along city streets where residents of Barton Hills actually live. Once we reach the trailhead by a hiking area named after socially-conscious civil engineering professor Gus Fruh, we’ll loop back through the shade of Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail.

Finding food is always a part of our plans. We’ll end our walk at a food truck park close to the starting point, but we might also consider El Alma or Chuy’s. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water- August is typically the hottest month in Austin.

TRANSIT LOGISTICS:

• Official walk map
• Parking in the gravel lot at 2224 Stratford should be free for the first two hours, then $3 thereafter