Review Date
October 29, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: mccartney7499 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
A fun romp through the woods. It really does feel like you're a million miles from nowhere at times,and the scenery can be absolutely stunning. For being a supposedly simple trail that follows a creek it's suprisingly easy to get lost here. The "main" trail isn't always well-defined,and the many,many creek crossings only add to the confusion. The trail is a mixture of wide open,somewhat twisty singletrack,and something that resembles someone's small intestine that's been lined with east coast style(aka boulders) rock gardens. The "hill of life" is a loose,somewhat steep climb that really isn't very exciting going up or down. One thing to be aware of is the large number of people that are hiking or walking here at any given time. Many of them also bring along their dogs which are,of course,not on a leash. It makes for some interesting trail encounters. All I can say is be cautious,especially around blind corners.

Recommended Route:
Start at Zilker Park and follow the creek. Don't bother with the side trails until you can make your way along the main trail w/o getting lost. If possible find someone who knows the trails to show you around if it's your first time. I'd probably skip the "hill of life" unless you've heard of it,and just have to try it to say you did. I didn't get to ride any of them because of time constraints,but it looks like there might be some fun stuff past the "hill of life".

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Walnut Creek for a fast,fun,rollercoaster,bmx like ride.
Lake Georgetown for an epic type,all singletrack ride that's technical,but with a good flow

Review Date
April 21, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: Julio0703 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Can be confusing but that's part of the fun. Getting lost and finding new trails. I love this trail and it gives me a great work out everytime. I enjoy crossing the water, it gives for a nice cool down period during rides.

Recommended Route:
??

Other recommended trails in the same area:
City park <-- my personal favorite

Review Date
April 12, 2005

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 7 votes

Reviewed by: Nocturnus ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Wow, I started at Zilker Park and went to a little pass Gus Furh and all I can say is I did about as much riding as I did walking over all the rocks. After I went over the first crossing it was basicly rocks, rocks and more rocks. One area looked like it had a recent slide. I normally hike this greenbelt but have never been on the part I rode today. Kinda sucks.

Recommended Route:
I would suggest starting at the parking area that is downhill from the Toys-R-Us and riding towards the Hill of Life.

Review Date
March 15, 2005

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 1 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
2.11 of 5, 9 votes

Reviewed by: Titan Go King ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
It's difficult as a couple to travel around the country riding some of the best cross country trails and to ask locals what rides they recommend. You get sent out on a wide variety of trails. Here in Austin we were told to ride Barton Springs. We did, sort of. What I mean is we did the best we could. We are expert riders use to riding at 7000 feet in northern Arizona. We enjoy a long strenuous ride with challenging climbs and long gradual downhill rides. The first thing we notice wherever we ride is how well the trail is marked. This trail was poorly marked and there were no signs where the trail splits. You simply guess which way to go. Guess wrong and you are walking your bike over rocks or riding some sections and then finding out you are riding in a hiking only area.

There is no sign of any regular trail maintenance. No brushing the trail so you are constantly being scraped by low branches and ducking under large tree limbs. Little or no erosion control, either.

Most of all this trail has no rhythm. You have ten seconds of riding nad then you're ducking branches only to round a corner and find a rock garden where the rocks are big enough to be covered with pedal and chainring marks. One review said it has everything. This is undesireable to most riders. Most cross-country riders don't go cross country riding in search of trials courses. We have gone riding in British Columbia and come across free riding courses or downhill runs. Without protective armour you are setting yourself up for a serious injury.

I didn't expect the well designed high elevation rides of the western states but I was hoping for more.

Review Date
April 5, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: steves ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I've ridden BC for the last 7 years and still enjoy it everytime I ride. Sure, sometimes it can get a little crowded (usually near the trail head at Barton Springs Pool and near the swimming holes), but it's not that bad. This trail has a little of everything - single track, technical stuff, fast straightaways, and climbs/downhills. There numerous side trails you can take to change things up. I like this trail better then any of the other trails in Austin (ie. Walnut Creek, Emma Long, Bull Creek, etc..). Barton Creek rocks!

Recommended Route:
Barton Spings/Zilker Trailhead up the Hill of Life and back.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Walnut Creek, Muleshoe