Houston Running/Hiking Trails List

Houston Running & Hiking Trail List

Below is a compiled list of Houston trails. Each one has a google map link for directions as well as a link to the park trail map. The list includes entrance fees and hour if applicable. This is a growing list so feel free to make recommendation for changes and it will be updated as time goes on.

https://www.facebook.com/HoustonTrailMagazine

Memorial Park (Ho Chi Minh Trails), Houston
Trail Running Center - http://goo.gl/atHuHz
Baseball Field Entrance (HATR) - http://goo.gl/McYlhX
Soccer Field Entrance (HTREX) - http://goo.gl/liumOh
Map (does not include “The Triangle”) - http://goo.gl/obIplU
Full Park Map - http://goo.gl/SBlUpV
The Triangle Route: http://goo.gl/XNjylB

Terry Hershey Park (The Anthills), Katy
Google Maps - http://goo.gl/3D0XQV
Trail Map - http://goo.gl/wWV0z3

Lake Houston Wilderness Park, New Caney
Sun - Thurs 7 AM – 6 PM Fri & Sat 7 AM – 8 PM
Gmail - http://goo.gl/5f1ps2
Trail Map - http://goo.gl/DPmC8U

River Bend Trail, Sugarland

GMaps/Trail Map - http://goo.gl/KLB5M0

Sugarland Memorial Park
GMaps - http://goo.gl/eR2bKA
Trail Map - http://goo.gl/pVPY8E
Trail Conditions/Updates - http://goo.gl/OXmvFP

Cypresswood Trails, Cypress
Mon-Friday 7 AM to 10 PM; Sat & Sun 8 AM to 10 PM
GMaps - http://goo.gl/maps/dciI0
Trail Map - http://goo.gl/Mpb9WB

Seabrook Trails, Seabrook
GMaps – http://goo.gl/GlUy6C
Trail Map - http://goo.gl/asPp9n

George Mitchell Preserve, The Woodlands
GMaps - http://goo.gl/CpJVfI
Trail Map - http://goo.gl/N2EwXB

Double Lake Recreation Area, Coldspring
Open 8:00AM – 8:30PM
GMaps - http://goo.gl/bnUOt7
Trail Map - http://goo.gl/n2CkQK

Stephen F Austin State Park, San Felipe
Entrance Fees-Adult (Day Use): $5 Daily Child <12: Free; Free w/State Park Pass
Gate is open 8 a.m – 10 p.m.GMaps - http://goo.gl/IAEW8n
Trail Map - http://goo.gl/CTBRc2

Brazos Bend State Park, Needsville

Entrance Fees-Adult (Day Use): $7 Daily Child <12: Free; Free w/State Park Pass
Sun-Thurs 8AM to 4:30PM  Fri-Sat: 8AM to 9:30PM
GMaps - http://goo.gl/OCAGQ4
Trail Map - http://goo.gl/u2Ovy4

Jack Brooks Park, Hitchcock
Gates Open 7:30-10:00PM
GMaps - http://goo.gl/sTuv0q
Trail Map - http://goo.gl/CfYCTm

Huntsville State Park, Huntsville
Entrance Fees-Adult (Day Use): $5 Daily Child <12: Free; Free w/State Park Pass
Gate is open 7 AM – 10 PM
GMaps - http://goo.gl/D3MEVb
Trail Map – http://goo.gl/iddL3B

Lone Star Hiking Trail
Trail/Parking Maps - http://lonestartrail.org/maps.html

Big Thicket National Preserve, Kountze, TX
GMaps - http://goo.gl/LhWPc2
Trail Map - http://goo.gl/cyQ3nV

 

Houston Spring 2015 Trail Race Guide

Looking to do a trail race in or around the Houston Area this spring?
Welcome to our Spring 2015 Houston Trail Racing Guide.

 

Trail Racing Over Texas FREE RACE George Bush Park
Sunday, March 15, 2015 7a-1pm

Here we go again! Trail Racing Over Texas partnering with Team RWB will be holding a FREE RACE on March 15th.

There will be a loop course that we will mark the night before. The loop will be between 4.2-5.5 miles long in distance and will start and finish at the same place.

http://www.trailracingovertexas.com/events/2015/3/15/trail-racing-over-texas-free-race-315-7a-1pm-at-george-bush-park

CLICK HERE to REGISTER---> https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=37154





Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon (Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K)
Event Date: March 14 & 15th, 2015



The race is held on the Seabrook nature trails surrounded by a diverse habitat of both fresh and salt marsh, the coastline of the Galveston Bay, wetlands, and wild-life and bird sanctuaries. The course consists of crushed granite surface. In addition to participating in a single race, runners can enter one of the challenges by finishing two races. This popular event has been known for its enthusiastic volunteers, great goodie bag and awesome post-race party.


http://seabrookmarathon.org/




The San Felipe Shootout 13.1M, 10k and 5k & Shootout(22.4)
 March 28th 2015
 Stephen F Austin State Park- San Felipe,Texas


The trails are primarily single track trails that are on soft ground, pine needles or soft clay. There is little to no elevation gain with only a few small rollers along the course.

http://www.trailracingovertexas.com/san-felipe-shootout/









HARRA Tour de Bayou Cross Country FREE Races

Tuesdays in April at 6:00 PM


April 7 - Spotts Park
April 14 - White Oak @ Thelma
April 21 - Ho Chi Minh
  April 28 - Ho Chi Minh

https://harra.org/tour-de-bayou1







23rd Annual Hog's Hunt 50K/25K Trail Run
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2015

 Start: At Shelter Number 1 adjacent to Lake Raven
Where: Huntsville State Park, approximately 6 miles south of Huntsville, Texas off of I-45 (exit 109)
Aid Stations: Eight fully stocked aid stations on 50K course; Four on 25K course
Course: Dirt trails & jeep roads through beautiful & scenic forest of Huntsville State Park - 25K loop looped course.

http://trail-race.com/stone/hogs_hunt/




Brazos Bend 50
50 mile, 50k, 25k and 10k
April 25, 2015
The Brazos Bend course is the fastest trail in texas trail running. The course is 99.9% flat with only one place where the hill is 10 feet. Other than that you will be running on flat surface that moves from hard crushed rock, soft trail under canopy and easy horse trails as well.

http://www.trailracingovertexas.com/brazos-bend-50/





Horseshoe trail run

50k, 25k, 10k and 5k

Jack Brooks Park is known as the toughest mountain bike trails in Houston. Good mix of climbing, drops and windy single track in the trees. The trail consist of primarily single track with some roots and whimsical running through the made made structures for mountain biking. Expect a wild, single track and rabbit chasing adventure through the park.

http://www.trailracingovertexas.com/horseshoe-trail-run/






El Chupacabra de Houston 5K/10K

May 30, 2015 8:30PM

This is a night time trail run starting at 8:30PM followed by a killer post race party. We will start and finish at a pavillion at Lake Houston Park. Post race party will be held at the start / finish area. The course runs through heavily wooded dirt trails in pitch dark. A flashlight or headlamp is required as the trails are pitch black. It is up to you to provide your own quality lighting. The trails can have many tree roots and an uneven surface, so paying attention to footing is critical. Trails will be marked with glow sticks, directional arrows and tape in the trees. There will be one water stop at the half way point. All runners will recieve a post race party lasting until 1am, a name brand tech shirt, post race beer (for those of age), and BBQ as part of your entry. This is a fun run so no awards will be given but overall results and age group results will be posted. Overnight camping is available and encouraged. Run in Texas wants you to drink responsibly.

http://www.runintexas.com/houstonchupa




 

Hoka Bondi 4 Review

Hoka Bondi 4 Review

  
 
 
 

I’ve been a long time Hoka wearer and recently picked up a pair of the new itenneration of the Bondi. For the past few years the Bondi has been my go-to shoe for the majority of my training and the Bondi 2 was (until this model) the best and longest lasting running shoe I’ve worn as well. (over 600 miles) Both the Bondi 2 and 3 suffered from some serious design flaws though, so I was curious to see if they had been corrected.

The Bondi 2 had a bad problem in that the fabric upper began to rip apart from the sole on both shoes within 300 miles, rendering them useless for trail runs since they then had no lateral support. The Bondi 3 corrected this by providing a 2 layer upper that is much more resistant to tearing. The problem encountered was that the two layers together made the shoe extremely poor at draining water. The shoe would stay filled with water if any got inside, rendering it unusable in wet conditions or even during hot humid days during which it would fill with sweat. Another big issue with the Bondi 3 (as well as the Conquest) is that it had a very prominent heel cup which would rub against and erode away the skin on my Achilles. I solved this by cutting off the heel cups of both shoes. The Bondi 3 also had a very flimsy tongue and came with (removable) speed laces, which caused the shoe to fit loose overall, but tight across the top of the foot.

So far the Bondi 4 seems to have solved these problems. They went back to a breathable single layer upper which has firmer attachments in the lateral stress zones of the shoe. The heel cup is also further back and much better padding. They include two different stackable insoles for the shoe, allowing for a comfortable fit regardless of foot size. (my feet are pretty wide and it fits great with the smaller insole) Gone is the flimsy tongue and speed laces and the comfortable tongue and laces of the Bondi 2 are back. I haven’t had the opportunity to really get the shoe extremely wet and see how fast it drains but for the few rainy runs I have been on, it has performed well. They seemed to have made the foam slightly firmer making is handle faster paces a bit easier, but not too firm like Hoka did with the Conquest. I'm looking forward to continued training in these.

Overall I would give the Bondi 4 a 4.5/5 so far. It’s a great training shoe for road and soft trails and if prior experience hold true it should last for 600-800 miles. Still not my go-to shoe for racing, as I prefer the Stinson for running ultras in.

Disclaimer: I am not paid by Hoka or any shoe companies/sales forces. Actually I am not paid for this at all and paid a lot for my shoes, so enjoy an non-sponsored shoe review for once. If you want to share this review please credit me.