Enchanted Rock Hiking Trails near Fredericksburg TX Homes

Where is the most notable hike near homes in Fredericksburg Texas?  The 1,643-acre Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offers seven miles of wonderful trails at National Natural Landmark, the second largest outcropping of pink granite in the nation.  It is a 25-minute drive for residents of Fredericksburg TX real estate.  People from Austin to San Antonio homes and around the world find adventures in Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in the heart of Texas Hill Country real estate.

Enchanted Rock

The huge 500-foot-high Enchanted Rock formation is the most notable landmark in Central Texas real estate in Hill Country.  It covers 640 acres.  A loop hike circles the pink granite mountains.  The Summit Trail goes more directly to the top of Enchanted Rock, where striking panoramic vistas feed the soul.  In addition to hiking, the park is a destination for backpacking and primitive camping, rock climbing, birding, stargazing, and study of the natural geological and ecological features.  Bicycles must stay on the paved roads.

Hiking to the top of Enchanted Rock is a 0.6-mile journey with a 425-foot elevation gain.  Another favorite trail for hikers and backpackers is the 4-mile Loop Trail.  It winds around the base of Enchanted Rock.  Rock-climbing hikers also investigate the 1,000-foot long Enchanted Rock Fissure, a large granite cave with steep and slippery surfaces and 45 established rock-climbing routes in Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.

Combining the trails, hikers walk half the Loop Trail to the far side of the summit of Enchanted Rock, take the short cut along Echo Canyon and link to the Summit Trail to the peak.  This route climbs through pine woodlands, large granite boulders, and colorful seasonal wildflowers.  A side trail leads to a viewpoint to the west and the main path goes to a primitive camping area and on to Moss Lake, finally meeting Echo Canyon junction.  It passes a main rock climbing area and meets the Summit Trail halfway down the mountain.

Set on Big Sandy Creek on the border between Gillespie and Llano counties, the mammoth pink granite exfoliation dome is one of the largest batholiths in the United States.  A batholith is an underground rock formation uncovered by erosion.

The rock's heating by day and contraction at night baffled the Tonkawa Indians, and explorers.  Indian lore tells of how the Tonkawa believed that ghosts built fires, causing the strange creaking and groaning at the top of the mountain.  After a captured conquistador described losing himself in the area, Indian legend reported that a pale man was swallowed by a rock and reborn as one of their own.  "Spirits enchanted this place," says the dairy of one explorer.

Facilities include restrooms, showers, and sites with tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings, water, an interpretive center, and a Texas State Park Store.

For information about an investment, or a second home or real estate in the Hill Country, click here to contact Dale Cook or call 830-997-1035.