Goodwater Trail

Love this place. Tried to do all 26 but only made it to 20.8. Nothing beginner about this trail except for a boring open field section. Carb up and hydrate beforehand. If you're not comfortable with cheese grater rock this definitely is not the place for you as it is mostly rock. Plan on riding it until I can clear the entire loop.

Really great trail. Super technical, but not much that wasn't rideable.

I read the reviews first. I only had four hours and I was in terrible shape. So I started at Cedar Break park at mile marker 0 and headed west. I wanted to see the most difficult part. Austinbike.com says this trail is ok for a beginner. I wouldn't be much of a friend if I brought a beginner on this trail - LOL. I might bring an enemy who is a beginner...The difficulty in this trail lies in the rocks themselves. They are tire killers: Sharp knives jutting out everywhere. Plan on damage to your bike. Smashing pedals, occasional rock bounce of your frame, heavy tire wear. And if you wipe out, serious bodily injury. I don't even think pads would save you from these wicked rocks. That all being said, I cannot wait to ride the whole trail.

breakdown
hard part of the trail mostly rock garden from Russel park to 598 lake overlook
easy part road ride from 598 lake over look to cedar Breaks park
hard part mostly rock garden from Cedar Break to sawyer park
getting easier frp, sawyer park to Tejas camp site
jeep road or gravel from Tejas camp to Russel. the last mile is rock garden
if you like rock garden you like this trail,tips refill water at Tejas camp.

I'm not sure how this is listed as an intermediate.
This is not an Intermediate trail. It's listed as an IMBA Epic, being only one of two in Texas, the other being Big Bend.

There are portions, like the branches coming out of Tejas (most westerly trailhead), which are easy, the connection over the dam, which is paved, and the segment between Overlook and Hogg, which is intermediate, but the rest of the trail, especially the south end, which is very challenging.

Expect lots of babyhead rock, karsk, hops, small drops, and a couple of tough, yet short, climbs. Trail is technical, and has no flow, except for what is called out above.

North side of the trail is broken up with four parks where ranger stations are located, is ridden more often, and is generally thought as the easier side. South side is a bit more primitive, isn't ridden as often, is a bigger technical challenge than the north, and has no potential services between Cedar Breaks and Tejas.

Goodwater can be somewhat less well maintained then other trails in the area given that it's a bit more remote, and doesn't get some of the TLC as other local Austin trails.

That said, it is a worthwhile ride. The views are great, and having an IMBA Epic so close to a large city is a bit of a gift. Riding this trail consistently has made me a better overall rider.

I rode from Jim Hogg park to Russell Park. It is very difficult for beginner. If you cannot hop over rock I would not recommend this trail. I would be too much for me to rode back the same trail to Jim Hogg park so I take street and it about 4 miles to get back to parking lot. Trail have many garden rocks and rock steps. total ride was 11 miles I would said the first half is more difficult than second half.

I did the section that runs from Cedar Breaks [sic] Park to Camp Tejas (where 258 crosses the river). The trail says it's about 11 miles. It felt like more, because of all the rocks. Still, I went with terrible equipment: semi-road tires, no suspension, broken shifter, and had a great time anyway. Be sure to stop at Crockett Gardens/Falls for a cool down. Nice views. Some fun descents and not too tough climbs, even for non mountain-bikers like myself. I had to carry my bike through a number of spots because I didn't have the skillz. The section between Sawyer Park and Camp Tejas is particularly fun, lots of ups and downs but not so much soul-crushing limestone bumpiness. I thought I would take the road back to Cedar Breaks park instead of the trail... error. It was about 15 miles back by road. Fine if you're in shape, but I was already tired by then. I would recommend this trail for any intermediate biker; just be ready to carry your bike sometimes. If you're not a regular biker, you'll be tired by the time you're halfway. Maybe arrange a ride from Camp Tejas if you're not up for the whole 25 and some-odd miles in one day.

A solid good trail that is a solid intermediate skill level. Lots of rocks and medium technical challenges to navigate along the way. A nice mixture of up hill, down hill and flat areas. Be sure to take time to enjoy the views as you go along.

I did the entire loop this weekend. I am very good with direction and like many other online reviewers got lost 2x and had to backtrack many miles. This trail is brutal if you choose to do it all in one day. However I really enjoyed it and can't wait to do it many more times. Bring food and water. Study maps beforehand. I did it on a rigid 29er, I'm coming back with suspension for sure. Hardly any restrooms or facilities out here. Easy to choose the wrong path at times. Super awesome. You need to be in decent shape but have a good sense of humor otherwise the rocks will begin to eat away at your soul. Good luck.

Was out there yesterday. A large tree fell right before you get to the campground just before the overlook where the trail breaks. I walked around it the first time, and it was pretty prickly, so I just went under it on the way back. This is on the south side of the loop. Bring a neck gaiter as I have ridden the trail enough times to get pelted by the millions of grasshoppers when riding through a particular field that is infested with them pretty badly. I just don't feel like swallowing one. :)

Very rocky once you get to getting around the lake, but navigable with tremendous effort.

Only for the young guys and gals

This trail is difficult not because of multiple technical areas, but because of all the rocks.. It isn't gravel but apple sized stones fixed in the dirt through most of the trail. There is also a great deal of larger rocks you navigate over with sharp edges (bring two spares). The most fun sections have fewer stones and provide a challenge in assent North of Jim Hogg Park. I prefer a FS when riding this trail due to the rocks. There is a creek crossing which is fun. I would say the best part of this trail is its length.

Nice trail alongside lake georgetown