Be careful after rains the trail gets slick. Lots of cover by trees and plenty of fun jumps. Watch out for runners and dogs.
Added by harryt: The trails in Walnut Creek park seem to be designed for you to create your own workout. I haven't mapped the entire crisscrossed system I imagine there is 15 miles of of sweet singletrack with some doubletrack and one jeep road.
There is little sustained elevation gain, but when trying to create a challenging work out I've gained over 2400 ft. Trailhead for the main system of trails is near the pool parking lot. Cross the creek for more challenging sections. Especially explore the southeast for a series of trails up and down the same ridge. Don't miss two isolated sections of trail near the park entrance from Lamar Blvd. both to the right and left. The trail to the right as you enter the park has several BMX style jumps (wear a helmet!).
I hope you have fun on this gem tucked into Northwest Austin!
Update 7/26/2014: Log Loop is going to be closed for a while, (month or so) while they construct some bridges as part of the park renovation. You can still hit Log Loop if you go opposite direction from normal blue path via Retention Dam.
Wow! I have been riding in TX for just about 9 months, primarily around Lake Georgetown and Dana Peak Park. So happy to find this flowing gem tucked into a park that's only 3 miles from my office. As the initial description reads, this is a Choose-your-own adventure style park with multiple trails intersecting in many places and offering lots of options. I've only ridden it three times so far, but that was in the last three days. ;)
BMX loop was my new find yesterday and very fun. I look forward to exploring more on the south side of the creek. Some tight spots, so don't hook your bar-ends and don't worry about getting lost, as there is decent trail signage to steer you back to the P lot. Also, watch out for small children and off leash dogs, both of which are permitted and can be encountered. And wear your helmet, you chuckleheads!
| ThankThe Powerline downhill section is my favorite. There truly is something for everyone at this trail. Lots of trails mostly under trees. There is a BMX jump area by the East entrance of the trail.
| ThankWas not too muddy, and not too busy.
| ThankGood single track.
| ThankEndo valley trail is getting pretty rough after the rain. watch out when you are going down on the right side.
| ThankI got to the park 9 am on weekend to avoid the crowd. I love BMX loop so much fun. no hiker in this trail. It is hidden gem for sure. about 1.5 miles and you can redo it as many time you like.This is my second day doing MTB and I was be able to ride slowly through the trail. love it. Around 10am we heading to the main walnut trail. We have to watch out the hiker and rider. the deeper trail you in the better off because there is less hiker.
| ThankGreat trails in northern Austin! Trails get busy with hikers and dog walkers after 5pm so watch out!
| ThankRollercoaster of a trail. Lots of variety for beginners, intermediate, and expert riders. Easy to get lost but never any worries. Even in summer, if you go in the morning, you get a ton of shade so not too hot. If there's rain recently, streams make crossing fun.
| ThankSuch a great park. So many trails to ride. I can't get to riding them all because I love to ride my favorite trails over and over again.
| ThankIt's an ok city loop, better on a cross bike than a mtb....HEAVILY USED
| ThankThis place is 5 minutes from my house and is pretty awesome. I've only been riding for a few weeks and I've been here the past two days. First time was a bit confusing, but the second day was better after taking the locals' advice and just following the arrows. I really like the log loop. The people are friendly, does get a bit more active on the weekends, but that helps if you get lost. I love this place, an oasis in the heart of Austin.
| ThankMore Like 3.5 I am always looking for more distance or it would have been a 4.
For links and Photos see http://www.mtbepicrides.com/2014/04/walnut-creek-austin-texas.html
We went to Austin to visit friends, enjoy the warm dry Texas spring time weather. Steve showed me around Walnut Creek. A nice park in a suburb just north of Austin. The main loop is well marked, but there are quite a few trails that are not. Most of the maps at intersections are of the vague variety, we did find one detailed map, with a "You Are Here" star. It has been a while since Steve has had time to Trail ride, between family and work. But we did find his favorite section of his favorite trail, the Log Loop, which is also well marked. It was very swoopy and begged to be railed. No berms here just natural trails with roots, rocks and trees to negotiate. Then a fireroad connector to the other single track part of the Log Loop, which had some bigger roots, change ups and a alternate log ramp. We did each a few times, alternating, depending on the traffic. We went on a Saturday and there were a lot of hikers and bikers out, not as much as you would think for the first really nice weekend in some time. It does get chilly down here and it can feel pretty cold to the locals that are used to the Texas summer heat!
On the way back to the cars, you just follow the "P" for parking on the trail markers, we only made one wrong turn trying to follow them. And am I glad we did, cause we came across Endo Alley. Steve thought better of of dropping in. It was right up my alley, pun intended. This was a very short but intense black diamond DH, with a nut buster climb back up. When Steve did not show up at the top, I did it again, before realizing that there was another trail that avoided the climb and let out onto the power lines. We went the wrong way into some berms before deciding to find those "P"s.
Some very nice scenery and cool trails, nestled in a metropolitan area. Steve has since picked up the fatbike that he has been wanting. I would like to think that I inspired him to rekindle his love of Trail riding.
| ThankJust finished riding the loop here at walnut creek and sitting in the pool parking lot now. Awesone ride. Rain has been falling on the area the past few days and trails handled it well. Slight soft spots but nothing to be concerned about. First time here and rode with a grouo I met on the trail. One member was with the Austin Ridge Riders and was very knowledgeable on the area. Great group and awesome ride.
| ThankExcellent trail system. It flowed very well. It almost seemed like there was no up hill at all. We rode for about three hours and didn't double back on a single trail. Yet there was still a lot more trail that we didn't even touch. Had a good downhill run, a lot of swoopy switch backs some jumps and a few river crossings. I highly recommend this trail to anyone that is within driving distance. Even if you aren't it definitely warrants a special trip. We had riders of all levels with us, from day one beginners to quite experienced guys and we all had a blast. Well worth the drive down. All the people encountered on the trail were very gracious and extremely nice as well, bikers and walkers.
| ThankWOW!! This is a "flowy" cruiser trail system. Some BMX-type jumps in a section, and just a few rocks/roots.
| ThankWhile we had an older map,and didn't really know where we were going for 1/2 the ride, it was great.
We ran into some folks who told us that by following the blue box arrows, on the signs, we would have an 8 mile loop, that covers lots of the trails. We rode some of that, and it was fast and flowy. There is also a newer, better map at www.austinridgeriders.com, (http://austinridgeriders.com/trail/walnut-creek-metropolitan-park) which we will examine now.
Bottom line, don't miss this trail if you come to Austin. It is way better than the Barton Creek trail.
Rode this trail a few times a few years back when I worked in the area. The area was large with a lot of different types of terrain for different riders. It was a very busy park on the weekend and during the summer, so becareful.
| ThankSurprisingly excellent city park trails. Hard rocks and water crossings make this trail diverse from just dirt track and roots. Very busy on the weekend I went.
| ThankReally great trail. Can be slippery when really dry, but such a fun a grueling ride. Same intensity as the Greenbelot, but without the rocks in the middle of the track. It kind of feels like a ski slope in the sense that you ride to the top and are able to choose multiple routes down the hill. Everyone out there is really friendly and always willing to ride withyou or help out if you need it. BRING WATER!!
| ThankThis trail is awesome and is full of singletrack. This trail is winding and has many banks. Some jumps but plenty of roots to BH over.
| ThankThis was our 3 trip and it was better then the past. Enough challenge to keep you interested but not over whelming. It was a hot day but nice trees kept it feeling cool. Watch out for the unexpected drops!
| Thank