Take a hike — in Gonzales and other Texas locales

Gonzales was named among the best places to hike in Texas by World Atlas in “11 Best Hikes in Texas.”

While we all know everything is bigger (and better!) in Texas, sometimes being on the “short list” of great things is a very big honor, and accomplishment.

These eleven (11) hikes that are recommended in Texas (listed below) include the best places in Texas to take a walk, or more serious hike, and enjoy a full day exploring, learning, and adventuring.

Texas borders several other diverse US states (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Mexico), as well another country, namely Mexico. It’s, therefore, far from surprising that the state offers a vast variety of regions to explore.

Among other things our great state offers forests, prairies, deserts, wetlands, coastlines and other areas of prime interest. Hiking in Texas is spectacularly unique and beautiful, and is deserving of not just a visit, but several.

The other ten locations mentioned include South Rim Trail in Big Bend National Park, located in southwest Texas. A beautiful location, including a gorgeous desert park with a higher biodiversity than any other singular park in the US. Home to thousands of plant species, as well as hundreds of bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian and fish species, as well as over 3000 species of insects.

The view from the top, however, is what draws visitors to the dramatic cliff edge at the summit, highlighting a panoramic view of surrounding mountains, canyons, deserts and areas across the border in Mexico.

Next listed on the list of must-sees is the LBJ Grasslands Red Train in the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands. These wide open grasslands are the vista expected when visitors imagine those open plains glorified in the cinema. However, when hiking this area it becomes clear that the beautiful and vast ecosystem, mostly underappreciated, is the real reason to visit this charming locale. This park is found in the Northeast part of the state, an hour north of Fort Worth. Visit the over 20,000 acres of protected land and 75 miles of almost completely flat trails on foot or horseback.

Want to see 100 million year old rocks while being transformed to yesteryear among visible rock layers that tell our state story? Visit Fate Bell Pictograph walking tour in Seminole Canyon State Park. Visit this hauntingly beautiful part of Texas history and be touched by the magic of our natural resources. For any individual eager, and brave enough, for a more remote adventure further hikes, traveling higher, are available in an eight hour Presa Canyon tour, which visits pictograph sites normally not accessible by the general public. This park is located in Comstock, Texas, located in Val Verde county.

Lighthouse Trail, in Palo Duro Canyon State Park is considered an oasis, located in the Texas panhandle. Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Texas”, the park has a huge expectation to match, in visitors eyes. Most consider it met while visiting the multicolored layers of rock that expand downwards hundreds of feet, as well as a canyon that lends itself to exploration with its length of hundreds of feet. The canyon is home to an over abundance of desert flora and fauna, and the park also has incredible tails, with Lighthouse trail considered to be iconic due to its lighthouse shaped rock formation which rises quite dramatically from a valley surrounded with red, pink and orange hued cliff sides. Visitors are advised to remember the desert climate of this locale and to pack plenty of adequate supplies, such as water and snacks.

The next on the list is Padre Island National Seashore, in Padre Islands along the gulf of Mexico at the Texas southern coastline. This location is actually more aptly a walk, rather than a hike, yet it still should be on the list to visit, as it is so lovely, offering a unique mainland to explore, including an island parallel to the mainland (called a barrier island). Come and see dolphins, and sea turtles if you are among the lucky frequent visitors to this bay area.

Guadalupe Peak, in Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the next on this list. Listed as the hike to the “top of Texas”, at 8,751 feet this trek is not for all hikers, but those who can handle the 3,000 foot of gain in elevation, in a roughly 6-8 hour period, proclaim the view more than worth the effort. Found in West Texas, about 90 miles east of El Paso this hiking destination if considered a must see for avid adventurers Remember your hiking boots, for comfort and safety, as well as your backcountry camping permit, and spend the night, or several, among the stars, then wake up and experience a beautiful sunrise.

The next trail is actually a long-distance trail, both suitable for long and short adventures, with 130 mile point to point trail located in East Texas. This trail is the Lonestar Trail, in Sam Houston National Forest. Enjoy that East Texas charm, as well as the diversity of plant and tree species found along this trail. Near the town of Richards, just south of Huntsville and north of North Cleveland the hike offers solitude and multiple opportunities to view wildlife in their natural habitat.

Near Austin there is another great hiking opportunity. The Great Escape Trail, in the Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area. Located about an hour away, on the Colorado River, the prime spot offers 540 acres of trails, picnic areas, bike paths, as well as a close up view of oaks, and meadows, with bluebonnets as far as the eye can see. The path gets its name from the mule shoe-shaped bend in the river.

Next is Gorman Falls Trail in Colorado Bend State Park, located several hours northwest of Austin. This park highlights the natural water resources in our State, with rivers, creeks, springs and falls all around the area. There are also sinkholes and underground caves along the 3.8 mile out and back trail lying amidst beautiful forests with moss covered rocks all around. Over millions of years the falls have widened to 650 feet wide and 60 feet thick, creating a must see destination for all proud Texas natives, as well as out of state visitors.

East Trail in the Lost Maples State Natural area is next on the list, highlighting the season Texans often believe to not exist in our state, fall. For those who long for that autumn time, filled with multicolored oak, cypress, maple and sycamore trees, as well as the warm beverages that accompany such viewings, ideally, look no farther. Located around 70 miles northwest of San Antonio this area encompasses the Edwards Plateau, with an open forest, and caves that provide habitation areas to many species. Which enhances the sightings of many species of wildlife, including the largest bat colonies in the world! There are several trails to explore, however, the East Trail is a wondrous three miles of scenery, including spring fed rivers, sheer rock faces and hill country views that are incredible and must be seen to be believed.

Last, but naturally first in the view of Gonzales locals, is Palmetto State Park. A vista that is almost primordial, straight from the Jurassic age, the vast greenery, swamps, humid air and a multitude of Dwarf Palmettos (of a small palm species) is a marvel to behold, with this beautiful park being named for these small palm plants, and being famous for the beautiful hikes offered within.

This paradise like area offers eight trails, which range from the briefer 15 minutes, to the more detailed and adventurous 1.5 hours, visitors can put their own hikes together, allowing for areas which suit individual schedules, abilities, and the search for different unique animals along various paths, including armadillos and regal Crested Caracaras.

No matter where you prefer to spend time among hiking trails of Texas (though Palmetto is still the best, in my very humble opinion) remember that all are part of the Texas geography that we are so proud to call home. Visit Texas and you are home, forever; if lucky enough to be born in Texas take your blessed self down to these wonderful places of adventure and see what all that Texas pride and fuss is about.