Hiking And Backpacking Trails Of Texas

Walking, hiking, and biking trails for all ages and abilities.

The most comprehensive, map-packed guide available for Texas walkers, hikers, and backpackers.

From the rugged Guadalupe Mountains in the west and the deep canyons of the Red River in the Panhandle to the lakes on the eastern landscape, the Texas backcountry is as spacious and diverse as the Lone Star State itself. This guide contains unforgettable hikes that suit all abilities and interests.

100 of the most gorgeous hikes in the Lone Star State! The big sky country of Texas calls hikers of all kinds to its trails. With over 80 parks, 56 wildlife management areas, nine natural areas and 28 historic sites and parklands, this vast state offers a plethora of hiking options to choose from. Regions covered include the Panhandle Plains, prairies and lakes, piney woods, Gulf Coast, South Texas Plains, Hill country, and Big Bend country. This two-color guide includes elevation profiles, sidebar tips, topographic maps, and a handy Hikes-at-a-Glance chart to help readers find the hikes they want quickly and easily. Whether you're planning an extended backpacking trip through the northern cross timber or a short day hike just outside of town, this new guidebook presents a wonderful variety of iconic Texas trails.

One of the hidden jewels of Texas, the Lone Star Hiking Trail is the only long-distance National Recreation Trail in the state. At 128 miles (including loop trails), it is also the state's longest continuously marked and maintained footpath. Located in the famed Big Thicket area in east Texas, the trail is well-suited for both short and long hikes (of up to 10 days), appealing to dayhikers, overnight backpackers and long-distance hikers. The LSHT lies between the major metro centers of Houston-Galveston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio--home to more than 8 million people just a 2-hour drive from the trail. The author, a Texas native, is an experienced long-distance hiker who has thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and many other nationally recognized long-distance trails throughout the U.S. This is the first guidebook to the trail and is officially endorsed and promoted by the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club.

Take a Hike on a Long Texas Trail One of the hidden jewels of Texas, the Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT) is the only long-distance National Recreation Trail in the state. At 128 miles—including loop trails—it is the state’s longest continuously marked and maintained footpath. Located in East Texas’s famed Big Thicket area, the trail winds through the thick woodlands of Sam Houston National Forest, an ecologically diverse region within a few hours’ drive of Houston-Galveston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. Let Texas native and experienced long-distance hiker Karen Borski Somers guide you along this incomparable footpath, well-suited for both short and long hikes of up to 10 days, appealing to day hikers, overnight backpackers, and thru-hikers. The author conveniently divides the trail into 11 sections, complete with an overview, section map, GPS waypoints, trail description, mileage chart, and more. It’s everything you need from the guidebook that’s officially endorsed and promoted by the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club.