Austin: Barton Creek Greenbelt South
Waterfalls, swimming holes, and shady lunch spots highlight this 10.4-miler, just a short bus ride from downtown.
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Mapped by Melissa Stolasz
Trail Facts
- Distance: 8.4
Waypoints
BCG001
Location: 30.2579860687256, -97.7875213623047
Head S on Spyglass Access Trail and turn R onto Barton Greenbelt Trail to follow crystal-clear Barton Creek
BCG002
Location: 30.2548809051514, -97.7927780151367
Canyon widens; trail enters Gus Fruh Park shaded by sycamores and elms
BCG003
Location: 30.2463626861572, -97.7941589355469
Go L @ Y and cross creek onto small island
BCG004
Location: 30.2471008300781, -97.7935333251953
L @ T; cross creek again and follow it, arcing SSW
BCG005
Location: 30.2431354522705, -97.7935409545898
Tip-toe on rocks @ Three Falls
BCG006
Location: 30.2450466156006, -97.8002395629883
R @ T; across creek, spot climbers on Seismic Wall, one of Austin’s popular crags. Continue W under Loop 360 (Capital of TX Hwy.) and keep R @ Y
BCG007
Location: 30.2413291931152, -97.8066329956055
L @ Y where trail crosses wood bridge; stay on S side of creek
BCG008
Location: 30.2399806976318, -97.8109436035156
Trail climbs rock ledge; chipped footholds and anchored chains assist near-vertical climb. Ahead, pass under MoPac South Hwy. and turn L @ Y to stay on W side of creek
BCG009
Location: 30.248779296875, -97.8134002685547
Take a dunk! Wade around boulders to Twin Falls, a small terraced cascade
BCG010
Location: 30.251163482666, -97.8137969970703
More falls; wide creekbend forms rapids. Continue N; pass creeklets feeding Barton, and angled rock jutting above
BCG011
Location: 30.2545204162598, -97.8193664550781
Small cave
BCG012
Location: 30.2594909667969, -97.8235778808594
Reach lush riparian area sheltering Twin Springs, which feeds Barton Creek. Turn around and hike back to Metro stop