Downloadable Maps
Violet Crown Trail – Entire Route
This map shows the entire route of the 30-mile Violet Crown Trail, both completed and planned. Once complete, the trail will provide a unique recreational experience stretching from Zilker Park, south through Sunset Valley to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and continuing further south into the rolling countryside of Hays County.
Zilker Trailhead to 360 Trailhead
Beginning at Zilker Park, the Violet Crown Trail follows Barton Creek Greenbelt along some of the most stunning and well-loved areas of Barton Creek, from Campbell’s Hole and The Flats to several popular climbing walls. There are two additional trailheads along this section which can be used for entry/exit, the Spyglass Trailhead and the Gus Fruh Trailhead. This map shows the section that ends at the 360 trailhead, about 4 miles down the trail from Zilker Park. Both of these trailheads, 360 and Zilker, offer parking for trail users.
360 Trailhead to 290 Trailhead
This map covers the section of trail which begins at the 360 trailhead and heads south. It crosses under the Capital of Texas Highway and eventually splits into two sections; the Violet Crown Trail, which meanders through the Gaines Creek Greenbelt all the way to Sunset Valley and beyond, and the Barton Creek Greenbelt, which continues Westward along Barton Creek. The Gaines Creek section is the first area Hill Country Conservancy truly began working on the Violet Crown Trail, and with the help of American Youth Works, Texas Conservation Corp, large pieces of limestone were pulled from the canyon and employed along a new stretch of trail. As the trail user continues south along the Violet Crown trail, they ascend out of the creek to a newly established trailhead on the North side of Highway 290.
290 to Latta Drive
From Gaines Creek and the 290 trailhead, the trail shifts from the urban wildlands of the Barton Creek Greenbelt to the more residential Sunset Valley. This 3-mile section of trail connects the neighborhoods and villages of this area to parks, schools, retail centers, and open space. This portion is temporarily sidewalk hiking, however construction will begin to complete this section in early 2022.
Latta Drive to the Wildflower Center
Once you cross under the highway at Latta Drive, you are now back on the official trail. This section of trail will take you through Dick Nichols Park and into the Deer Park area. Our newest trailhead, the VCT at Slaughter Lane is located on Slaughter Lane just East of Mopac behind the Walgreens. Here, you can enjoy a half-mile of wooded, ADA accessible trail which then continues on a single track to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Construction to convert the single track to an ADA accessible trail begins in early 2022.
VCT at Circle C Ranch
This map shows the section of trail that will go through the Circle C Ranch area. Construction is underway with plans to open publicly in 2019.