Discover the Top 18 Senior-Friendly Walking Trails in Texas

As the second largest state in the United States of America, Texas has plenty of room for incredible wildlife. With two national parks and diverse landscapes, it is a fantastic spot to enjoy nature trails and hiking. If you are interested in seeing some of Texas’s beautiful nature but are not interested in strenuous hikes, this article is for you. While none of the hikes on this list are overly difficult or long, they are stunning nonetheless and most definitely worth the visit. Enjoy a leisurely stroll in Texas’s beautiful nature with these top 18 senior-friendly walking trails in Texas.

Abilene State Park — 0.02-0.3 Miles

Abilene State Park is next to Lake Abilene in Taylor County, TX. Featuring 529.4 acres, this park has plenty of exploration opportunities. When visiting, you can enjoy a variety of activities. Those activities include camping, hiking, bird watching, and bike riding. All of the trails in this park are accessible for hiking and biking unless otherwise indicated. Abilene State Park offers a variety of senior-friendly walking trails that are short in length and easy in difficulty. Some of them are even ADA-accessible. Below is a list of easy hiking trails in the park and short descriptions. 

• Amphitheater Trail – 0.02 miles, takes you to a hidden amphitheater. 
• Bird Trail- 0.3 miles, takes you to a bird blind. 
• Buffalo Wallow Nature Trail – 0.2 miles, walk around a pond. 

Window View Trail — 0.3 Miles 

Located in Big Bend National Park — in Brewster County — the Window View Trail is a short and enjoyable hike for all those who walk it. Only 0.3 miles long, the average hiking time for this trail is around half an hour. Although there is an elevation change of 50 feet, this trail is considered easy and relaxing. The trail circles a low hill and offers incredible views of nearby mountain peaks. There are benches and seating areas along the way to rest and take in the view as well. Although the trail doesn’t allow for dogs, it provides paved pavement and wheelchair accessibility. 

Lost Maples State Natural Area — 0.4-2.9 Miles 

The Lost Maples State Natural Area earns its reputation for beautiful trees, wildlife, and many hiking trails that it offers. Offering many points of interest, such as Monkey Rock, a grotto, and a scenic overlook, it is no wonder this is a high-travel area. The natural area offers many senior-friendly trails due to their easy difficulty rating. We’ve listed some senior-friendly trails in this area below, along with their lengths and difficulty ratings.

• Maple Trail – 0.4 miles; estimated completion time is 20 minutes. A short hike that showcases the stunning maple trees. Is ranked as an easy trail. 
• East-West Trail – 1 mile; estimated completion time is 45 minutes. This is a hike along one of the tributaries of the Sabinal River. Is ranked as an easy trail. 
• West Loop Trail- 2.9 miles; estimated completion time is an hour and a half. This trail takes you into the Ashe juniper grove. This trail is ranked at a moderate difficulty level.

Rio Grande Village Nature Trail — 0.75 Miles 

Similar to a few of the other trails mentioned in this article, the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail is located in Big Bend National Park. The roundtrip distance of this trail is 0.75 miles and takes about 30 minutes to complete. This trail is a favorite among birdwatchers and photographers for its beautiful wildlife views. This trail also has a bridge you need to cross that grants you access to views of the small pond. It is wheelchair accessible up until the boardwalk; from there on, it is a dirt and gravel path that could be hard to maneuver without all-terrain tires. 

Lake Houston Wilderness Park — 1.1-4.2 Miles 

Lake Houston Wilderness Park — located in New Caney — is the perfect place to go for a walk in the park, literally. With 4,986 acres of land, this park has no shortage of hiking and walking trails. Below are some of the top trails that are senior-friendly due to their easy difficulty level rating. 

• Lake Dabney Loop – 1.1 miles; estimated completion time is 20 minutes. Gravel trail that loops around the lake and through the woods. If a wheelchair is being used, all-terrain tires need to be used. 
• Peach Creek Trail – 4.2 miles; estimated completion time is slightly over an hour. This route follows the creek and is well-maintained. There is a slight elevation of 91 feet. 
• Yaupon, Loggers, and Forest Trail Loop – 5.7 miles; estimated completion time is around 1 hour and 45 minutes. This loop contains a few different trails and showcases the beauty of East Texas. 

Rose Rudman Trail—  1.2 Miles 

Another peaceful, senior-friendly walking trail in Texas is the Rose Rudman Trail. Located in Tyler, TX, this 1.2-mile-long concrete trail is the perfect place for a walk, jog, or peaceful bike ride. It is also a popular destination for picnics because of the many trees that offer shade. A perfect way to enjoy an afternoon, walking along the trail and stopping for a picnic in the afternoon sun. 

Brazos Bend State Park — 1.2-1.7 Miles 

This state park is located in Needville, TX, along the Brazos River, and has 4,897 acres. Nature lovers have praised this state park, which is just 45 miles from downtown Houston. Activities at this park include hiking, biking, fishing, nature watching, horse riding, and overnight stays. Some of their 37 miles of trails are wheelchair accessible, and they offer an all-terrain wheelchair for park use, making these trails very senior-friendly. Unlike the trails at Abilene State Park, most of the trails here are considered moderate rather than easy. One easy trail, the Creekfield Lake ADA Trail, is half a mile long and takes you along the park’s southern boundary to see the wetlands. However, the park still offers moderate trails that are friendly for seniors, and below, we detail some of them.

• Big Creek Loop – a 1.7-mile hike that takes about an hour to complete. It takes you on a hike along the creek. 
• Elm Lake Loop – a 1.7-mile hike that takes about an hour to complete. This hike is said to have the best wildlife opportunities. 
• 40 Acre Lake Trail – a 1.2-mile hike that takes about an hour to complete. This trail offers a great chance to witness the American alligator. 

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center Outer Loop Trail —1.76 Miles

The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is just miles from Downtown Houston and sits on 155 acres. It is a non-profit urban nature sanctuary that served as one of the first educational facilities for children. Today, it continues to provide education for thousands of children in Texas and visitors alike each year. Besides visiting this nature center for its educational purposes, people also visit the lovely walking trail that is located around it. Considered an easy trail, this 1.76-mile loop takes an average of around 40 minutes to complete. Although deemed wheelchair accessible, the Arboretum deems this trail only partially accessible, so seniors who need wheelchairs may have difficulty with certain areas. In addition to this trail, the Houston Arboretum Nature Center offers 5 miles of trails and walkways. You can find two other easy and accessible walkways in this area listed below.

• Post Oak Trail – 0.11 miles, accessible, explore the restored savanna. 
• Wildflower Trail – 0.28 miles, accessible, great places to see native wildflowers. 
• Willow Oak Trail – 0.15 miles, accessible, edges between the savannah and dense woodland habitats. 

Huck Finn Trail — 1.8 Miles 

This out-and-back trail is located in Richardson, TX, and is an easy 1.8-mile trail. It takes an average of 34 minutes to complete and is a popular trail for bird watching, hiking, and running. This hiking trail is partially paved and is also considered wheelchair accessible. Leashed dogs and your children are welcome to join you on your stroll here. Besides stunning wildflowers and other wildlife, this trail also features a beautiful waterfall for all of the hikers to behold. This shared trail along Prarie Creek is the perfect family-friendly and senior-friendly adventure.

Tule Hike and Bike Trail — 2.1 Miles 

Another easy, out-and-back trail is the Tule Hike and Bike Trail, located in Rockport, TX. This 2.1-mile trail takes an average of 36 minutes to complete and is popular for activities such as walking, biking, and running. The path is paved and well-maintained in most areas, making it another wheelchair-accessible trail. Some off-trail gravel nature areas exist, but the trail itself is paved. Additionally, dogs may come here and may even be off-leash in certain areas. Another wonderful place to spend an afternoon. 

Moments-in-Time Hike and Bike Trail — 2.5 Miles 

Located in Granbury, TX, this wheelchair-accessible trail shows you all of the best green spaces in Granbury. The 8-foot wide concrete trail is easy to navigate for all fitness levels and is a 2.5-mile long hike. The trail’s endpoints are Granbury Municipal Airport and Granbury City Beach Park. Deemed as an easy trail, it is a popular running, walking, and biking destination. 

Turkey Creek Trail — 2.7 Miles 

This trail is a 2.7-mile out-and-back trail that is close to Austin. Finishing the hike generally takes one hour and is kid- and dog-friendly. While it is considered an easy hike, it is not the most wheelchair-accessible hike, as it is mainly a singletrack trail with exposed roots and rocks. Additionally, there are many creek crossings that you need to make during this trail, which would be impossible for a wheelchair to access. However, those with full walking capabilities should not find the walk to be too challenging. 

Boorman Trail — 5.7 Miles 

Another popular area for hiking, biking, and all things outdoor enjoyment is the Boorman Trail in Longview, TX. As a paved, mostly level, and well-maintained path, this walking trail is perfect for all ages and is wheelchair accessible. This trail is an easy 5.7 out-and-back trail, and it’s considered an easy path to walk along. Dog and kid-friendly, this trail is perfect for a family outing to relax and enjoy nature. 

Kerrville River Trail — 6 Miles 

You can complete this 6-mile trail in about two hours. Additionally, this trail is broken into six separate segments. Although many consider the entire trail an easy walking hike, if you think 6 miles may be too long, you can shorten your walk by completing certain segments. The names and lengths of the River Trail Segments are detailed below.

• Riverside Nature Center to Louise Hays Park – 0.7 miles 
• Riverside Nature Center to Lowry Park – 0.2 miles 
• Louise Hays Park to G Street – Over 1 mile 
• G Street to Kerrville-Schreiner Park – Over 2 miles 
• Lowry Park to the Dietert Center – 0.5 miles long 
• G Street to Schreiner University – 1 mile 

Brushy Creek Trail — 6.4 Miles 

Located in Brushy Creek Lake Park in Cedar Park, TX, Brush Creek Trail is another scenic, senior-friendly walking trail option in Texas. Dogs are welcome here as long as they are leashed, and it is a common spot for hikers, bikers, and bird watchers alike. Similarly to the White Rock Lake Trail, this 6.4-mile trail is also wheelchair friendly. Additionally, it offers various benches along the way for resting and nice wide paths that can easily fit groups of people, strollers, or wheelchairs. Considered an easy trail to maneuver, the hike in its entirety usually takes about two hours to complete. Nicely maintained with shade opportunities and educational postings along the path, it is no wonder that this is one of Texas’s most visited trails. 

Katy Trail — 7.7 Miles 

This senior-friendly walking trail is unique because it is privately funded and supported by the community. Built on an old railroad line, this particular walking trail has become an iconic stop for both inhabitants and visitors of Dallas. This trail is a popular spot for hiking and biking, and it is perfectly situated for it as it offers two paths, one for pedestrians and walkers and one for wheels, such as bikes. This 7.7-mile out-and-back trail is considered an easy walking trail and takes an average of about two and a half hours to complete. As a paved path, it is wheelchair accessible, making it all the more friendly to various visitors. This trail is beautiful during all times of the year and is a great spot to bring the family. 

White Rock Lake Trail — 9.4 Miles 

Enjoy this scenic loop trail around the White Rock Lake water reservoir. Although this loop is considered a moderate and longer trail — coming in at 9.4 miles — it is wheelchair friendly and offers paved pathways. On average, this route usually takes nearly three hours to complete, but the terrain is gentle, mostly flat, and has a low incline. Considered one of Dallas’s most popular trails, you will surely see other hikers, fishers, and bikers on your journey.

Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail — 10 Miles

Less nature-like and more urban feeling, this trail still makes it onto the list of senior-friendly walking trails in Texas. Located in Austin, this trail wanders around the water’s edge of the well-known Lady Bird Lake. Instead of tall pine trees and wildlife, this hike will offer views of skyscrapers, neighborhoods, and ball fields. This trail is located in Austin’s most recognized and popular recreation area and has a wide variety of people who visit it. Although the trail is a 10-mile trail, which may seem longer in length, it has a very easy difficulty level as it is a well-established path. Flat, level terrain and paved paths make this an enjoyable scenic walk to take in Austin’s beautiful culture. 

Summary of the Top 18 Senior-Friendly Walking Trails in Texas

For the Adventure Seekers

If you are looking for more of a challenge with your walking trails — whether it be in length or in difficulty level — here are some other walking trails that didn’t quite make the cut. The trails below could be considered senior-friendly for those who are in good health and fitness condition and like a bit of a challenge. 

South Rim Trail Loop — 12.7 miles 

Located in Brewster County, in Big Bend National Park, you will find our next senior-friendly hiking trail in Texas. The South Rim Trail loop is a beautiful trail that offers incredible views, especially from its dramatic cliff lookout points. In order to reach this trail, you need to take other trails first. The South Rim Trail Loop itself is broken into two parts: a southwestern and a southeastern rim. These rims are divided by the Boot Canyon Trail.

This trail is a 12.7-mile loop and takes an average of just over six hours to complete. It does have an elevation of 2,421 feet, and dogs are not allowed. If you are a regular hiker and used to more challenging trails, this trail should not be an issue for you, and it offers iconic Texas sights. If you are not an experienced hiker or prefer easier trails, this would not be ideal for you. However, you could stick to the main path or go halfway and cut off on one of the other trails to make this hike less challenging. 

Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail — 14.2 miles 

Considered a moderately challenging trail, the Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail is a 14.2-mile out-and-back trail. A popular spot to see wildlife and other hikers, this trail takes an average of 4 and a half hours to complete in its entirety. Although not overly challenging, this trail does reach elevations of 718 feet, and parts of the path can be rocky and rugged. It is a great location to spot local wildlife, so if that interests you, this could be a great trail for you to explore at your own pace. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © joshuaraineyphotography/ via Getty Images