10 August . 2021
Enjoy amazing views along Sweetwater’s newest trail
Sweetwater has just opened our seventh trail, and it’s a natural beauty.
Located near the Overlook Club in the Madrone Ridge neighborhood, Bee Creek Trail follows a high ridgeline along Bee Creek, meandering through thick groves of oaks, Texas Madrones and cypresses.
Bee Creek Trail rises and falls as it follows the natural topography along the creek, rewarding hikers with beautiful vistas of Sweetwater and the surrounding Hill Country.
Located at the westernmost edge of Sweetwater’s 1,500-acre master plan, Bee Creek Trail can be accessed within Madrone Ridge.
At approximately one-third of a mile in length, Bee Creek Trail isn’t one of Sweetwater’s longest trails, but it connects to a community trail system that extends for approximately 10 miles. Overall, Sweetwater devotes more than 700 acres, about half of its overall acreage, to parks, trails and natural open spaces.
Here are the other six trails that residents can enjoy in Sweetwater, with benches, trail maps and other amenities along the routes to make for a more enjoyable outdoor experience.
Sunset Trail – Rated as Difficult, Sunset Trail is a .4-mile trail that treats residents to diverse scenery, including three waterfalls and a wildflower meadow.
Canyon Trail – Also rated Difficult, Canyon Trail is a 1.2-mile trail that leads to rugged scenery amid steep slopes and low water crossings.
Limestone Falls Trail – Rated Moderate, Limestone Falls Trail is a 1.2-mile trail that leads to one of Sweetwater’s most scenic secrets, a natural waterfall and pond with a limestone bottom and crystal-clear water. The Picnic Rock is a popular spot to rest and enjoy a snack.
Greenbelt Trail – Rated Low for difficulty, Greenbelt Trail is a popular .54-mile trail is easily accessible for all Sweetwater residents. A neighborhood park with a playground lies between the two trailheads.
Maidenhair Trail – Maidenhair Trail is a one-mile trail leading to a scenic waterfall and grotto, an 800-year-old Texas Madrone tree, a wildflower meadow, and an old windmill and water tank from the land’s ranch heritage. Rated Moderate, this trail offers one of the community’s highest lookout points.
Llano Stagecoach Trail – One of Sweetwater’s newer trails, Llano Stagecoach Trail follows part of a historic stagecoach route that ran between Austin and Llano in the 1800s. Marked by a striking arched trailhead in the Hidden Springs neighborhood (off Pedernales Summit Parkway near Highway 71), this trail extends for approximately one mile. It connects to Sunset Trail, providing a crucial link in the Sweetwater trail system.