Mt. Bonnell

Bonnell Mountain is among the most popular tourist attractions and landmarks in Austin, and visitors typically head there for one thing: the unbeatable views from the top. The Mt. Bonnell trail is an easy half-mile (.8 kilometer) loop with a 102-stair climb to the view deck pavilion and back. You can hike on your own or take any number of sightseeing tours that visit the vista point at the top.

• Leashed dogs are welcomed on Mt. Bonnell.

• This is Texas—wear sunblock and bring plenty of water no matter the season.

• There are no public restrooms on the mountain.

• The staircase to the summit is not wheelchair-friendly.

• The viewing platform has shaded areas, but Mount Bonnell is often under direct sunlight.

• Parking and admission are free.

Although there are public bus lines such as the Nos. 30 and 19 that will get you near Bonnell Mountain from central Austin, your best bet is to take a tour that provides transportation or to drive yourself—it’s a roughly 15-minute drive via Loop 1 north, and there’s free parking on Mount Bonnell Road near the Mount Bonnell trail trailhead.

The Mount Bonnell trail is open from early morning until late evening daily, early enough for sunrises and late enough for sunsets. Keep in mind that much of Mt. Bonnell is under direct sunlight and has few shady spots—you can avoid the worst of the Texas heat by visiting during the early morning or evening, even well past sunset.

The hike to the top of Mount Bonnell is very easy—it takes most travelers no more than 10 minutes each way. Travelers interested in more challenging hikes near Austin can start with the River Place Nature Trail, a 5-mile (8-kilometer) out-and-back that begins about 30 minutes outside of downtown Austin by car.