Hamilton Greenbelt in Lakeway has been a mainstay of the hiking community since the early 90s.
Best known for the varied terrain, multiple loops, serene waterfalls and trails that lead right down to water level at Lake Travis, this is one of the more popular trails in Lakeway.
You can get in a good jog, take the dog out for a stroll, ride your bike, or just go to experience the marvelous scenery and explore the finer details of Hurst Creek and Lake Travis.
The park wouldn’t have come to be if it weren’t for a generous donation. In 1989, Jack Hamilton (President of the Lakeway Civic Corporation at the time) and his wife Myrtle donated $44,000 dollars to purchase the land from the Lakeway Company. The 85 acres was bought and with the additional endowment from the Hamilton’s to keep up the land over the years, the plan was set and Hamilton Greenbelt officially opened to the public in 1990.
There are two trailheads which are located just a short 1/4 mile drive from Lakeway Blvd. on Lohmans Crossing. The first entrance on Lohmans Crossing leads you to Hamilton Greenbelt I and the entrance on Palos Verdes Drive is what you’ll take to start at Hamilton Greenbelt II.
Waterfalls, primitive trails, boulder fields and trails of various difficulties are just some of the features you’ll discover as you make your way along the trail.
Shaded by decades-old oak trees, the first part of the trail is covered in crushed gravel. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of park benches to rest and take in the sights and sounds of Hurst Creek. Water fountains can be found throughout the trail, which comes in handy when the sun hangs high overhead and you’re a mile from your car.
About 15 minutes in (if you’re hiking), you’ll reach the long-cherished circular waterfall. Here the greenery really starts to take over, as evidenced by rolling ferns that cling to mossy rocks around the bend. This part of Hurst Creek is one of the larger sections, feeding into Lake Travis at the far end of the hiking trail.
A little further in is where you’ll reach the “Primitive Trail”, an area with more natural terrain which leads to some of the more interesting views of the greenbelt. Although this trail is not necessarily as treacherous as the name sounds, it is a bit rockier than the beginning. There is a fork here; taking a left will bring you down to Hurst Creek and to the beautiful meadow of Cedar Elm trees near the waypoint, right will bring you to the second trailhead at Palos Verdes Drive.
The highlight of walking all of the way to this point is the trail that you can take down to Lake Travis’ waters. This is probably the toughest part of the trail, but if you can make it through you are rewarded with views of Hurst Creek feeding Lake Travis.
On the way back, you can either retrace your steps or take the alternate path, which has a completely different set of wonders to take in on your journey that ends with the trailhead at Palos Verde Drive.
Hamilton Greenbelt
1250 Lohmans Crossing Rd., Lakeway, TX 78734 (map)
