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River Place Nature Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.5 (56)
  1. Areas
  2. TX
  3. …Central Texas
  4. …Austin
  5. River Place Nature Trails
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“A creekside out-and-back hike that heads through a peaceful hollow. ”

Eric Ashley
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5.6

Miles

8.9

KM

Out and Back

915' 279 m

High

513' 156 m

Low

620' 189 m

Up

620' 189 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

22%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

Family Friendly Kids will enjoy exploring around the creek. Just plan on turning around before their energy evaporates from climbing all the stairs.

Overview

This beautiful gem invites visitors to quickly connect with nature. Locals love it for its beautiful scenery and enveloping tranquility. Although the trail isn't too technical, its steady climbs, rolling terrain, and countless stairs make it an endeavor.

If your party isn't up to the full adventure, it's easy to head back at any point.

Need to Know

The narrowness of the trail can involve frequent pauses to allow other groups to pass. As such, try to be courteous and give uphill traffic the right of way.

Description

Park at either the nearby Woodland Park or curb-side at the trailhead. Look for the "Boardwalk" sign at the start of the Panther Hollow Trail and proceed around the retention pond to where the singletrack begins off the boardwalk.

Panther Hollow Trail is brief, and its super-mellow climb soon ends in a 3-way intersection with the Canyon Trail and Little Fern Trail. Keep straight onto the Canyon Trail, where the stairs and steep side-slopes begin in earnest. As you travel along the trail, the charming gurgle of Panther Hollow Creek is sure to brighten your surroundings, meanwhile its deep water provides a few wading spots along the way. To top it all off, interesting nearby rock faces help to complete this truly beautiful scene.

The latter part of the hike is almost completely covered in low trees that bring welcome shade as the elevation jumps up and down. Near its end, the trail climbs out of the hollow to the turnaround spot at River Place Boulevard.

Contacts

Local Club: Friends of River Place Trail

Land Manager: River Place Municipal Utility District

Shared By:

Eric Ashley
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 56 votes

#1

in River Place Nature Trails

#174

Overall
  4.5 from 56 votes
5 Star
64%
4 Star
27%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
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#1

in River Place Nature Trails

#5

in Texas

#174

Overall
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Photos

Nature's stair stepper. It does not disappoint!
Nov 11, 2016 near Lost Creek, TX
Tranquil waterfalls.
Nov 11, 2016 near Barton…, TX
Hiking on the River Place Nature Trail in Austin, TX!
Jun 13, 2016 near Barton…, TX
Woodlands Park & Nature Preserve... easy trail loop around the park and creek/lake area.
Aug 28, 2017 near Barton…, TX
Woodlands Park & Nature Preserve... easy trail loop around the park and creek/lake area.
Aug 28, 2017 near Barton…, TX
Woodlands Park & Nature Preserve... easy trail loop around the park and creek/lake area.
Aug 28, 2017 near Barton…, TX

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 57 days ago
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Check-Ins

Aug 2, 2023
Jennifer Kadingo
Apr 9, 2022
Cliff Wilson
Dec 27, 2021
Tarun Reddy
Nov 28, 2021
Ethan Gingerich
Nov 6, 2021
Mike Sanders
Jul 17, 2021
Payton Morris
Mar 15, 2021
Kevin Chen
Nov 7, 2020
Angela Zolezzi

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