Three Year Round Events in Austin:
- Historic Capital Walk
- Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail Walk
- Fairview/Travis Heights Neighborhood Walk
Start/Finish: Start location is the same for all three walks. It is Extended Stay America/formerly Homestead Suites, 507 South First Street, corner of S. First St. and Barton Springs Rd. Phone (512) 476-1818. Ask for the walk box at the desk, and provide the clerk with your car license plate number. The $10 fee is waived when you are a walker and only parking for a few hours. Restroom facilities are available here.
***Visitors who need accommodation while in Austin might consider staying at Extended Stay. They are centrally located, within walking distance of numerous dining opportunities, and have been most gracious as a starting point for our walks.***
Awards: Only “B” awards are available. The choices of “B” awards available are shown inside the front of the sign-in logbook.
Historic Capital Walk, Y0068: There are 11k/6k routes available. This walk goes across the Colorado River (also called Lady Bird Lake) bridge with grand views of downtown Austin. You walk up Congress Ave. to the State Capital Complex. (6k walkers go through the Capitol Building when open.) The 11k route goes through the newly developed Waterloo Park and then continues into the University of Texas campus on the South Mall walkway. The return route is through some historic West Campus neighborhoods and along the Shoal Creek Greenbelt Trail to our modern Central Library (open daily). This walk was recently modified to add Waterloo Park for the “Par for the Course” special program. The Capital grounds will be visited on both the 11k and 6k routes. Pets are not allowed in Capitol buildings. Wheelchairs/strollers welcomed, but care must be taken by all walkers along narrow sections of the Shoal Creek Trail.
2023 Special Programs:
- Mayflower – 400th Anniversary Walk
- Par for the Course
- Rockin’ Around the Clock
- Town Halls / City Halls
- Walking the United States – Capitals
- Walking with America’s Veterans
Lady Bird Lake Walk, Y0069: Follow the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail along the banks of scenic downtown Lady Bird Lake. The route was updated in 2019. Walkers go around the eastern part of Lady Bird Lake on the natural surface of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike trail. The route crosses the Congress Ave. bridge, which is home to a bat colony. The trail passes the Mexican American Cultural Center and the de-commissioned Holly Power Plant. Walkers return to the south side of Lady Bird Lake by crossing the Longhorn Dam; then they are treated to fantastic views of the downtown Austin skyline as they walk on a long boardwalk over the water. Trail is open daily. This is an 11k/6k route. Rated 1A, suitable for strollers.
2023 Special Programs:
- Par for the Course
Fairview/Travis Heights Neighborhoods Walk, Y1672: This 10k/6k walk is rated 1A, but has some steep hills. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcomed but may have difficulty with hills. Central to this walk are neighborhoods dating back to the 1880’s. You will pass a unique blend of elegant Victorian mansions, beautifully restored cottages, quaint bungalows and recently built homes of striking design. The walk finishes with a walk up South Congress passing an interesting array of restaurants, retail shops and art galleries. This area is an Austin original.
2023 Special Programs:
- Par for the Course
Directions to Start/Finish:
From the south on IH-35, take the Riverside exit (233), which is just before Lady Bird Lake. Turn left (west) onto Riverside Dr. and pick up the directions at Follow Riverside Dr. below.
From the north on IH-35, take the Riverside Dr. exit (233), which is also just before Lady Bird Lake. Take the frontage road bridge across Lady Bird Lake and prepare to merge right into Riverside Dr. after crossing Lady Bird Lake. Follow Riverside Dr. for about ½ mile to Congress Ave. Cross Congress Ave. and get into the left turn lane for Barton Springs Rd., which is the next traffic light. Left onto Barton Springs Rd. and get into left lane for South First St., which is the next traffic light. Left onto South First St. The very first driveway on your left on South First St. is the entrance to Extended Stay/formerly Homestead Suites. There is a RESTROOM here before you begin your walk.
