Spicewood Valley Trail Hiking Guide
Hidden within the neighborhoods of northwest Austin, you’ll find a pretty magical trail. Boasting rock formations and a running creek line the terrain as you make your way through the woodlands. The Spicewood Valley Trail is an out-and-back trail that is approximately 3 miles long and is ideal for any hiker who wants a good local adventure.
If you are looking for information on this trail, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s look at what you need for this hike, the trail conditions, and what to see.
A Vlog of My Time on the Spicewood Valley Trail
Preparing for Your Hike
Packing the ten essentials is always a good rule of thumb for any hike! For this one specifically, I’d recommend taking the following on the Spicewood Valley Trail:
Water Bottle
Footwear with good traction
Sunscreen (especially during the summer)
Sunglasses
Weather-appropriate clothing
Small first-aid kit
Sun hat (optional)
Trail Conditions
The conditions along the Spicewood Valley Trail are mainly rocky, with a few completely flat sections. If you use hiking poles for stability, I recommend bringing them along if you need them, but they aren’t required. This trail is very shaded, which makes it great for those summer treks! View the complete trail here on AllTrails.
What to See on the Spicewood Valley Trail
This trail encapsulates the word “hidden gem.” You will be pleasantly surprised by everything you’ll see on your walk. Such as:
Small Waterfall: To find the waterfall, hike to the trail's midway point. You will come across it on your right. It will be hard to miss it!
Lake View: To see the lake, you’ll make it all the way to the end of the trail. Climb up the rock formations at the end with caution and walk to the end of the path. You can also climb up the graffiti wall to the right, but it is slippery if you do not have good traction on your shoes.
Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) Structures: Along this trail, there seem to be a few structures, like a tub, that may have been created by the CCC. It’s hard to find concrete information on when they were created and how they arrived there.
Creek Views: You will come across a creek all along the trail. You will see a variety of flora like Turk’s cap, side oats grama, and inland sea oats.
Small Waterfall Along the Creek
Parking and Trailhead Tips
Aside from the two-spot parking lot, you can park along the side street that goes uphill from that lot on Scotland Well Drive. As with any place, clear out the inside of your car of any valuables to prevent theft.
Once you park, make your way to the trailhead. You’ll know you are in the right spot if you pass a doggie waste station.
Austin Hiking Trails
The Spicewood Valley trail is one of many amazing Austin hiking trails in the area. It packs a good adventure in the span of 3 miles and makes you feel like you are no longer in the city limits. If you are looking for other trails to explore, check out my blog post with 21 hiking trails in the Austin area.
Location
Address: 8043-8585 Scotland Well Dr, Austin, TX 78750, United States
Hours: No posted hours online
