This Quaint Little Trail Is The Shortest And Sweetest Hike In Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Published February 10, 2018
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Hiking is one of our favorite pastimes here in Texas, but some of the trails can be extremely challenging and time-consuming. Fortunately, there are a select few places in the Lone Star State perfect for a brief yet memorable experience. One such trail is located in Pedernales Falls State Park, and it just might be the most charming trail in all of Texas. It’s called the Twin Falls Nature Trail, and the breathtaking sight it leads to will be forever etched into your mind.
The .47 mile trail starts off flat as can be. You'll begin out in the open, but it doesn't take long for thick brush to dominate either side of the path and create a canopy overhead.
It's a pretty rugged, and admittedly, a pretty boring hike at first, but the disappointment you may feel will quickly turn to awe when you reach the namesake of the trail.
When you break out of the forest and reach the observation deck, a panoramic view of the entire park will take your breath away. If you look closely, you'll see a cave near the top of the rock formation across the way — I wonder what kinds of creatures are hiding in there?
Follow the path a bit longer and you'll come upon the reason you started this journey in the first place: the Twin Falls. On the left side, you'll be greeted by a bunch of colorful ferns growing out of a rock wall. Their vibrancy will make you think you're in some magical land far away from Texas.
The falls themselves are absolutely gorgeous. Two rushing streams of water, intertwining and elegantly cascading down the rocks before spilling into a pool of crystal-clear water at the base.
You'll want to stay here a while to take pictures and simply bask in the solitude and tranquility this hidden grotto provides. Luckily, you only have a quarter-mile hike back to your car, so your relaxation doesn't have to be rushed!