📏 Length: 6.5mi (one way)
📍 Best Starting Point: Twin Lakes YMCA
204 E Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park, TX 78613
🗺️ Map
🟢 Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (Mostly flat, with a few short climbs).
🚴 Surface: Paved with few compact gravel sections
💡 Why We Love It:
This trail is the backbone of Cedar Park and Round Rock cycling. We recommend starting at Twin Lakes YMCA for the best parking, but you can also hop on at Champion Park or Brushy Creek Sports Park.
What to expect:
The Vibe: On weekends, this trail is bustling with runners, cyclists, and families. The path is wide and respectful, but keep an eye on your little ones during peak hours.
The “Play” Stops: This is a playground paradise. The newly renovated playground at Olson Meadows Park is a perfect halfway reward, or you can stop to catch a fish at Shirley McDonald Park (the duck pond).
The Terrain: While mostly paved, the beautiful gravel sections between Champion Park and Olson Meadows give kids a safe place to test their off-road skills without needing a full mountain bike.
🚲 Bike Recommendation: Because of the mixed gravel and pavement, a hybrid bike with textured tires is king here. The Woom Explore 5 or Commencal Ramones offer the perfect grip for those crushed granite sections. Shop Hybrid Bikes
📏 Length: 3.3mi (one way)
📍 Best Starting Point: WCMP Trailhead,
Walnut Creek Park Rd, Austin, TX 78758
🗺️ Map
🟢 Difficulty: Easy to Moderate:
Mostly flat, but there are a few sustained climbs near the highway crossings.
(Note: Short sections utilize extra-wide sidewalks adjacent to the frontage road—safe, but keep kids close).
🚴 Surface: Full Paved (concrete)
💡 Why We Love It:
This trail is the “Paved Gateway” to Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park—arguably the most famous Mountain Bike hub in Austin. It offers immense tree cover, making it one of the coolest rides you can do during the hot Central Texas summer.
What to expect:
The Vibe: On weekends, this trail comes alive. You will share the path with joggers, serious cyclists, families, and very often—deer! The path is 12-feet wide, so there is plenty of room for everyone, but teach your kids to stay right.
The “Play” Stops: Gracywoods Park, located just off Metric Boulevard, is the perfect mid-ride break. With a playground surrounded by ample green space, it lets kids burn off energy off the bike. It also serves as a great alternative parking/access point.
The Terrain: The trail is fully paved with a few rolling hills. For families craving a little extra adventure, take the connector towards Balcones District Park to find a seasonal waterfall and some rugged off-shoot paths.
🚲 Bike Recommendation: Since this trail is paved but features some long climbs, a lightweight bike with gears makes a huge difference. The Woom 4 or Woom Explore 5 are perfect here.
Heading into the Walnut Creek dirt trails? You’ll want something rugged. The Commencal Ramones or Meta are built to handle the jumps and roots waiting at the end of the pavement. Shop Mountain Bikes
📏 Length: 4.2mi (one way)
📍 Best Starting Point: Joe B Freeman Park
301 Forest Ridge Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665
🗺️ Map
🟢 Difficulty: Easy:
(Gentle terrain with a few short inclines. Note: A short section passing Kenny Fort Blvd utilizes a wide sidewalk adjacent to the road—it is safe, but keep kids close).
🚴 Surface: Full Paved (concrete)
💡 Why We Love It:
This trail is the family-friendly alternative to the busy western section of Brushy Creek. It offers a much gentler terrain suitable for little cyclists of all levels (even balance bikes) and offers scenic views of the creek without the “serious cyclist” traffic of the Twin Lakes area.
What to expect:
The Vibe: It is quieter here. While still popular with joggers and families, the pace is slower. Expect to see plenty of squirrels darting across the path! The trail is 12-feet wide, offering plenty of room for wobbling riders to find their line.
The “Play” Stops: Joe B. Freeman Park offers a nice standard playground, but the real star is the Play for All Abilities Park.
Pro Tip: Plan for a long stop here. It features a “mini city” with traffic lights, a car wash, and a grocery store where kids can ride their bikes, plus zip lines and massive swings. It is a destination in itself.The Terrain: Unlike the rocky cliffs of the west side, this section is fully paved with smooth, rolling hills. It connects effortlessly to the Greater Lake Creek Trail, giving you miles of options without technical challenges.
🚲 Bike Recommendation: Because this trail is smooth and mostly flat, it is the perfect place for Learning to Ride.
📏 Length: 3.3mi (one way)
📍 Best Starting Point: Bohls Park
200 Immanuel Rd, Pflugerville, TX 78660
🗺️ Map
🟢 Difficulty: Easy:
(Watch out for few tight sections when going under bridges)
🚴 Surface: Full Paved (concrete)
💡 Why We Love It:
This trail is the backbone of Pflugerville recreation. It feels less like a “workout route” and more like a community connector. Because it runs alongside massive green spaces, we highly recommend bringing a soccer ball or football in a backpack to play on the fields alongside the trail.
What to expect:
The Vibe: Similar to Brushy Creek East, this is a quieter escape. The pace is slow and friendly. It’s not uncommon to encounter ducks crossing the path, and for a true highlight, keep an eye out for the Goat Feeding Station near Heritage Park—a guaranteed hit for the kids.
The “Play” Stops: You are spoiled for choice. Pfluger Park is the central hub, but Windermere Park offers great structures too.
The Terrain: This is one of the flattest rides in the area, making it effortless for small legs.
🚲 Bike Recommendation: Because this trail is smooth and mostly flat, you don’t need gears or suspension. It is the perfect place for Learning to Ride.
📏 Length: 5.4mi (one way)
📍 Best Starting Point: Parking at Randy Morrow Trail
210 Chamber Way, Georgetown, TX 78626
🗺️ Map
🔵 Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
(The start is flat and paved, but the final push to the dam features steep gravel gradients).
🚴 Surface: Mostly paved, but includes significant crushed granite/gravel sections.
💡 Why We Love It:
Starting at San Gabriel Park just off the square, this trail offers a true sense of adventure. It transitions from a manicured park path to a rugged nature trail teeming with wildlife. If your child is ready for a challenge, the final climb to the Lake Georgetown Dam involves a steep 17% gradient. It is a “rite of passage” for local cyclists—if you make it to the top, you earn the best view in Georgetown.
What to expect:
The Vibe: The pace here is relaxed and scenic. Once you pass Chandler Park and enter the Oakcrest area, keep your eyes peeled—you are almost guaranteed to see deer cheering you from the green spaces.
🚲 Bike Recommendation: This is a tale of two trails.
