Mount Bonnell

11 Best Hikes in Austin

"This well-manicured outdoor landmark is located in a tiny residential neighborhood. Though it's officially called “Covert Park,” the attraction is Mount Bonnell, which visitors of all ages seek out for its scenic summit views. A gentle, limestone-paved staircase, blessedly shaded by trees, leads up to a trellised lookout with sweeping views out over handsome Lake Austin. And though vigorous outdoor types will certainly not consider this a real “hike” (it can be scaled in flip-flops, after all), it’s the perfect spot to take in a sunset over the lake, the city, and the famous arches of the Pennybacker Bridge." - Veronica Meewes, Jonathan Thompson