Three Bluffs Trail

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Geography

Three Bluffs Trail

Location: Texas, United States, North America

Lat/Lon: 32.84000°N / 113.91°W

Trail Type: Mountain

County: Bandera

Technical Difficulty: Easy

Aerobic Difficulty: Very difficult

Layout: Loop

Elevation Gain: 200 ft / 61 m

Length: 2.5 Mi / 4.0 Km

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Page By: Jessicabiker

Created/Edited: Oct 24, 2007 / Nov 27, 2007

Object ID: 263119

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Page Score: 86.43% - 9 Votes

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Table of Contents

Overview

The Three Bluffs trail is a great way to test this area. The trail is located in the Hill Country Natural area 55 miles due west of San Antonio, Texas. This trail is not for the aerobically unprepared. This trail contains some long, very steep scree trails. In addition one must be able to control your bike as the descents can be very perilous. It can be very easy to lose control on one of the steep descents. The scree only adds to the danger! The scenery from the tops of the bluffs is great. This area is a photographers and bikers delite. This picture is from the summit of one of the bluffs. The third Bluff is quite a challenge. There are 38 miles of great trails for the novice to the expert. Couple this with the great scenery and you have all the makings of a great ride. Bring plenty of water and a camera.There are some nice cool pools and creeks that one can jump in and enjoy(depending on rainfall amounts). I guarantee you will enjoy this area and all it has to offer.

Trail Description

Start at the main trailhead parking area and follow the Wilderness Trail(trail#1) sign. This sign is located at the left hand corner of the parking area. The start of the trail is very flat and easy. About 1 mile in you will come to the intersection with trail #5. Take this trail to the left and begin your first bluff ascent. This is a difficult climb. For me it was perhaps you advanced mountain bikers might find it to be a novice climb. From the top of the Bluff the trail continues down and up to the next Bluff. This Bluff is a bit taller than first one but not by much. The trail will then descend down to trail #6. Take a right here. Follow trail 6 to trail #1(Wilderness Trail)turn right. From here it is an easy ride back to the trailhead. For the more adventurous types,as you return on trail #1, you will come to the trail #5 intersection again. From here turn left and go up to the highest Bluff in the area. This is the third Bluff. There are some Bootleg trails here. Any one of them will get you to the top. The main trail up to the top is trail #5C. Trail 5 will intersect this one if you stay on the manned trails. As this is a fragile area, Bootleg trails are against park rules. This is the steepest trail in the area. Quite challenging even for an Olympic bike rider that I know. He had a tough time with this one. When you descend the Bluff trail #5C, take trail 6a to return to the parking area.This picture is the begining of the first bluff ascent.Rangers tell me if you wait at the summit of the 3rd bluff until sunset, you might see a mountain lion prowling the area.

Getting There

From San Antonio, drive to west on Highway 16 to the town of Bandera. Take a left at the first stop light you come to entering the town. This is the main street in Bandera. Cross the river and follow the signs to the area.

When to Bike

Year round biking! Take plenty of water especially in the Summer. This area can be like an oven. All bikers must give the right of way to hikers and horses. Park Rules!

Water Adventures

Bandera Texas is famous for its bars and its river. The Medina river is a springfed, beautiful river. Nestled among Cypress tree lined banks, this river is one of the best in the state. Cool, clear waters escort you as you tube, raft, kayak, snorkel or fish. I have been up and down this river many times. The river is not deep probably 9 feet in some areas. The bottom is solid limestone. NO MUD! After a long day of biking, I suggest you go to the Ranger crossing bridge and jump in(not from the bridge). There is a picnic area here along the river bank. There are river outfitters to loan you tubes, rafts etc... ! This is one of the many beautiful swimming holes along the river.