Reviewed by: Karl , from Austin, TX

Summary:
Just an update: Sections of this trail got destroyed during the heavy rains in the spring of 2002. So portions of the trail are closed and detoured. The good news is that it looks like the reconsctucted portions will better withstand the occasional flooding. I like this trail since you begin and travel thru urban Austin yet somehow while on the trail, it feels like you are in the wilderness. You can take the trail (when open) all the way to town lake, loop town lake and return. Nice easy ride. Ok to take the kids on too.

Recommended Route:
Park at Randle's at 38th street and head south.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Barton Creek, McKinney Falls

Reviewed by: Lester , from Austin, TX

Summary:
Definitely a beginner's trail that is about as challenging as Town Lake. There are some pretty parts around Pease Park, but as you get closer to downtown, there seems to be more trash (though less people). The bottom portion of the trail (around 6th street) washed out over 10 years ago, and it still hasn't been repaired. Looks like the city is finally doing something about it, though. I like more challenging rides and better scenery, so this isn't one of my favorites in town. Still, if you want a Town Lake hike and bike kind of ride with fewer people, this is a pretty good option.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Walnut Creek, Barton Creek Greenbelt, Bull Creek

Reviewed by: Doug , from Austin Tx.

Summary:
overall easy ride, paved, gravel , and dirt. Easy for chicks to come along. Meet some nice folks along the way, chicks with dogs.

Recommended Route:
I start out at Zack Scott, by the park dept.ride around town lake to shoal creek, up through the construction, pease park, up dogy parkk , watch out for poop, up to 38th. around central market back dow gauadulpe to taco wars, 69 cent tacos , down around UT, across congress bridge to barton springs to lamar and the Zack

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Barton creek, trail up to johnson park by Enfield. Down town sunday morning rocks

Reviewed by: Ralph , from Austin, TX USA

Summary:
Definitely a beginner's trail. There is plenty of shade, and it's not too crowded most of the time. Watch out for dogs, because there is a section of the trail that's no-leash-required. Around Pease park, there's sometimes a guy running disc golf "pro shop" out of a trailer. He also sells bottled water and gatorade, which is a good thing to run across if your bottle and/or camelbak is running low. The only problem I have is that I can't figure out whether or not the Shoal Creek Trail can get me any closer to Town Lake than my usual route. I've seen maps that show the Shoal Creek trail going all the way down to 1st street, but I can't find it. To get to Town Lake from this trail, I usually ride to 9th street (Duncan park) right about where some kids have set up a BMX track. From there, I can't find any more trail, so I turn on west, turn on 6th, turn on Lamar, and then hit town lake. I'd like to avoid as much city street as I can. If you know of a better way, please email me.

Recommended Route:
I usually start around 31st street and head south until I hit Duncan park. From Duncan park, the Town Lake trail is just a short ride away, so I sometimes do a couple of laps at town lake, and then ride the Shoal Creek trail back to 31st street (which is pretty much back home for me).

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Town Lake, Barton Creek