Texas Hill Country Solar Eclipse Version

Cycling Texas Hill Country

How about a classic Timberline cycling tour right in the path of totality during the next total eclipse to occur in the United States?  Our Texas Hill Country Cycling tour of south-central Texas will be an amazing combination of the allure of the Hill Country for 5 days of riding, along with an opportunity to experience the otherworldly experience to be in the moon’s shadow in the middle of the day.

This tour utilizes a vast network of 2-lane farm-to-market country roads traversing a vast undulating expanse dissected by deep green valleys, rolling hills, rushing creeks, and rugged limestone cliffs, and no more than a scattering of small villages, Notwithstanding its proximity to the major population centers of San Antonio and Austin, the Hill Country is astonishingly rural and unpopulated — a nostalgic reminder of a past era. It is an area that retains its rich cultural heritage and identity. Fredericksburg and Boerne are characteristic of the early German immigrants who settled and homesteaded in the Hill Country in the 1840’s. The Hill Country is also cattle country and the region’s many historic ranches are reminders that we are in Texas.

And, lest we forget, the Texas Hill Country is Bluebonnet Country and these hills in the spring are ablaze in an array of bluebonnet blooms. Not coincidentally, we’ve planned a spring visit to the Hill Country.

Day 2: Climb to Devil’s Backbone

Our Texas Hill Country Cycling trip assembles in Gruene, just outside of New Braunfels on the Guadalupe River and we’ll ride through the Guadalupe River Valley early morning ofDay 2. By mid-morning, expect to be jolted out of our early reverie as our route begins to undulate in earnest. The climb to Devil’s Backbone is a poignant reminder that we are, after all, in Hill Country. Country-style hospitality awaits our arrival in Blanco, where we’ll spend our first night at the Blanco Settlement.

Day 3 & 4: Boerne to Fredericksburg

We’ll ride south from Blanco along the Blanco River on Day 3. Count on a fair number of Texas-sized “rollers” that we’ll likely chat about over dinner in Boerne that evening. Day 4, it’s on to Fredericksburg the following morning, but not before a visit to Luckenbach of Willie and Waylon fame. Fredericksburg is a fascinating town, richly endowed by its German cultural legacy, with an abundance of intriguing museums, craft shops, restored early settlement structures, and, of course, its biergartens. We’ll spend our next two nights at the Inn on Baron’s Creek.

Day 5: Witness the Eclipse!

Day 5 is the day of the eclipse!  We have the entire day to witness this unique event and its potentially life changing aura.  We will choose the best viewing location in the path of totality to get the full benefit.  Of course there will also be time for a short hike, some time at the pool, an exploration of Fredericksburg, or cycling the Willow City Loop that is a true Hill Country classic.

Day 6 & 7: Kerrville to Center Point

Our bike tour continues on Day 6 as we ride to Kerrville, where we’ll spend our final evening at the Inn of the Hills Resort. An early arrival in Kerrville on this relatively short day presents the excellent optional opportunity to ride out along the Guadalupe for a burger at the historic Hunt Store.

For our final day, Day 7— we get one final “rock & roller” ride, including lung-buster Eagles Nest, with its magnificent panoramic Hill Country vista, through Medina and Center Point. We’ll end our cycling tour at Center Point and van shuttle back to San Antonio, where our Texas Hill Country cycling trip concludes.

Timberline Adventures offers bike and hike vacations throughout the USA and Canada. View the calendar here!