Run This City: Austin
Our Austin running map takes you on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake.
Austin is a college town, the Texas state capital, the Live Music Capital of the World, and as of 2014, the country’s 11th largest city. It’s also home to a huge running community that trains hard—and plays hard. In keeping with the city’s unofficial slogan, “Keep Austin Weird,” the inaugural Beer Mile World Championships were held here in December 2013. “I mean, who wants to guzzle four beers and run around the track four times?” says Austinite Chris Kim-brough, the 45-year-old mother of six who apparently had no problem doing exactly that when she ran a 6:28 world record in the event in November before finishing fourth at the championships.
There’s even a Keep Austin Weird 5K in June. The “water stops” at this untimed race offer ice cream and vodka shots. The more mainstream Statesman Capitol 10,000, the largest 10K in Texas, is April 12; up to 16,000 runners follow a course lined with live music that tours downtown and Lady Bird Lake. All told, the local racing scene boasts more than 100 events a year.
Visitors will find no shortage of training/eating/drinking buddies here. Gilbert’s Gazelles and Rogue Training Systems cater to first-timers and PR-seekers. The Austin Runners Club coordinates the annual Distance Challenge, a series of six races that progress from an 8K to the marathon over five months. If you want French toast with your fartleks—or longnecks after your long runs—connect with the local chapter of bRUNch Running, Team Spiridon’s charity pub runs, and the Austin Beer Run Club.
Or just head to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. The 10.1-mile path around Lady Bird Lake is the city’s most popular running route. Bridges make it easy to run loops from a 5K to the full 10 miles. The Trail Foundation, a nonprofit trail steward, estimates that it’s used by up to 15,000 people each day—including unicyclists, slack-liners, and the occasional theater artist belting opera through a megaphone.
In the map below, mileage and landmarks are based on running the trail clockwise, beginning at mile 2.1 on the north side of the lake.
To complete the loop, take the pedestrian bridge back to The Rock. After stretching near the water fountains, follow Veterans Drive up the hill for post-run refreshments at Juiceland, Magnolia Café, or Maudie's Tex-Mex. Or head around the corner to Deep Eddy Pool, the oldest swimming pool in Texas. Like Barton Springs, it's spring fed and open year round.
Be sure to check out the entire Run This City collection for more interactive running routes.
Mile 2.1
"The Rock" Trailhead: Located under the Loop 1 freeway (aka MoPac Expressway). Plentiful parking, drinking fountains, and the eponymous granite marker (which also functions as a lost-and-found) make this a popular meeting spot whether you're running loops lasting 5K or 10 miles.
Mile 2.4
Texas Rowing Center: Watch for boats being carried across the trail from the center to the water.
Mile 3.1
Heron Creek Restroom: The third Trail Foundation–funded restroom designed by local architects.
Mile 3.5
Heron Creek Restroom: The third Trail Foundation–funded restroom designed by local architects.
Mile 3.8
South First Street Bridge: Follow the arrow and the ramp to the left if you want to cross for the 4.2-mile loop.
Mile 4
Bat Colony Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge: Cross the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge for the 4.8-mile loop. If you continue under the bridge, you'll hear tiny chirping sounds from a resident colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. During warmer months, tourists and locals alike gather atop the bridge at dusk to watch them emerge in a giant cloud for their nightly mosquito hunt. Be prepared to get a whiff of guano as you go under the bridge.
Mile 4.3
Waller Creek Boathouse and Alta's Café: Public restrooms are located on its upper level (you may need to inquire at Alta's Café for the keypad code). For a longer break, sip a cup of Blue Bottle Coffee or a King Kale smoothie on Alta's deck overlooking the river.
Mile 4.5
Miro Rivera restroom: The nautilus-shaped pit stop is one of three Trail Foundation–funded restrooms designed by local architects.
Mile 4.7
Interstate 35 Bridge: To run the 6.9-mile loop, follow the trail under Interstate 35 and take the ramp up to the pedestrian bridge. Follow it across the lake then connect with the boardwalk to head back toward MoPac. To make the full 10-mile loop, continue along the trail, which hugs the water. Many locals say this section of the trail is their favorite because it's less crowded and peaceful.
Mile 6
Holly Power Plant: The trail leaves the water's edge and skirts around the decommissioned Holly Power Plant. Once the plant is fully disassembled (likely in 2016), the trail will trace the shore here as it does elsewhere. Until then, follow the trail along baseball fields, across parking lots, and under the stone archway. Keep the power plant on your right until you get back parallel with the water.
Mile 6.8
Pleasant Valley Road Bridge: Cross the river on the sidewalk atop Longhorn Dam (beware strong winds: hold on to your hat!). There's no bike lane on the bridge so be prepared to share the very narrow walkway with cyclists.
Mile 8
Boardwalk: This recently built, mile-long section features brand-new restrooms and water fountains at the east end and some of trail's best views and photo ops looking west towards downtown Austin.
Mile 0
Auditorium Shores: This trailhead is a common meeting spot, but its ongoing makeover means you may not see the actual mile marker. Enhancements include new restrooms, seating, and better parking. The area has long been an off-leash dog park, so watch out for potential collisions with soggy pooches. Just ahead is the iconic statue of the late, great blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, who's likely to be holding real flowers in his bronze hand.
Mile 0.3
Doug Sahm Hill: For another great view of downtown, cross Riverside Drive and run to the top of the man-made Doug Sahm Hill, named after the late roots rock musician and Austin resident. Check out the dancing water (and at night, the colored lights) in Liz Carpenter Fountain.
Mile 1
Barton Creek: After crossing the bridge over the creek, turn right to head back toward your starting point. Or if you need to chill out, turn left and go about a quarter mile to the spring-fed Barton Springs Pool.
Mile 1.2
Lou Neff Point: Follow the steps down to the water for good views of downtown. If you're running in the morning, look for local musician Woode Wood perched on the stone wall on the side of the trail opposite the water. Wood, who describes his sound as "Americana, roots rock and modern folk," has been playing guitar at the trail for 10 years.
Mile 1.5
Zilker Park: On your left is one of Austin's most beloved parks. At 351 acres, it's got a playground, miniature train, botanical garden, outdoor theater, and nature and science center.
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