Across the 268,000 square miles of varying terrain, the state’s hiking trails will immerse you in some of the world’s wildest landscapes. From the mountains in West Texas to the Hill Country and on down to the Gulf Coast, pathways across state and national parks access varied vibrant, colorful scenery for every level of outdoorsperson. Whether a nervous newbie or a mileage-maximizing backpacker, find your fresh air fix.

Lone Star Hiking Trail

Curious day hikers and hardened through-hikers alike can enjoy this route across East Texas, which crosses 128 miles of wildlife-friendly, mostly flat woodlands. Spanning the Sam Houston National Forest, the Lone Star Hiking Trail offers something for everyone. Backpackers who want to get away for a few days, especially, have the option of stringing together several days amid the Longleaf pine, palmetto and Magnolia forests, lake shores, and occasional bayous. Day hikers don’t have to tackle it end to end, however; there are a handful of trailheads near Huntsville, Conroe, and Cleveland — all within a couple of hours of downtown Houston.

Haynes Ridge Overlook

Take a detour from the more crowded Palo Duro Canyon outside Amarillo and get a dose of the distinctive geology of the panhandle at Caprock Canyons State Park instead. Rocky, red formations rise a thousand feet above the rolling plains to the east, where 15,000 acres of wild parklands — also home to the Texas State Bison Herd — beckon hikers. The park has 25 miles of trails, with the most popular being the short hike to the Haynes Ridge Overlook, which, after a sturdy climb, hits the highest vistas in the park. From here, your view spans nearly the entirety of the park. Apart from the stunning view on this hike, wildlife like the aoudad sheep and golden eagles can be spotted. Visitors can return the way they came or take a more challenging route along the Upper North or South Prong trails.

Lost Mine Trail

Big Bend National Park is an international draw for hikers, who can find more than 150 miles of trails, ranging from long desert transects to mountain ascents above the Chisos Basin. Picking just one hike seems like a fool’s errand given the variety and given that part of the charm is the sheer remoteness of the region, so it’s best to spend a few days exploring options such as Emery Peak and the South Rim in the mountains or the mouth of Santa Elena Canyon along the Rio Grande. That said, Lost Mine Trail deserves a shoutout for short-timers wanting a quick trip to the high country. It’s a steep path gaining a thousand feet over 2.5 miles, and the rewards include some of the most amazing views in all West Texas.

Lost Maples State Natural Area

The centerpiece at this rustic spot in the Hill Country is the fall foliage, especially when the namesake Lost Maples are burnished in bright gold and red. But outside of the leaf-peeping season that runs mid-October through late November, the park’s limestone canyons and shady glades offer hikers plenty to enjoy, from short day hikes to longer backpacking trips. Those looking for a worthy overnight trip can follow the West Trail along the park’s southern boundary to several pleasant primitive campsites, with the most distant found along the West Loop Trail, a 2.9-mile roundtrip journey.

Guadalupe Peak

While hiking in Texas, it is a rite of passage to make it to the highest peak. That means conquering Guadalupe Peak, 8,751 feet above sea level, part of an ancient reef pushed up by the same geological forces that formed the Rocky Mountains. Located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, this hike requires planning and preparation, as it’s an 8.4-mile round-trip to reach the “Top of Texas.” Beyond bragging rights, the rewards are sublime views of endless mountains and glimpses of shifting sands across the desert floor. Be sure to make reservations if you plan to stay the night at the developed campground at Pine Canyon.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge 

The coastline of Texas holds plenty of charms, and the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge — encompassing more than 115,000 acres of diverse and beautiful coastal habitat — is one of them. This refuge is most famous for its population of endangered Whooping cranes, which winter in the surrounding marshes. Along with resident deer, migratory songbirds, and occasional sea turtles, cranes can be viewed from shoreline paths (not to mention a 40-foot observation tower with grand views of San Antonio Bay) that meander through the refuge. Two must-try footpaths are the Dagger Point Trail, which climbs a small hill, and the Big Tree Trail, which visits an ancient oak that has survived for about 500 years.

Texas’ topographical expanse serves up options for all, waiting to be explored.

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