If, as John Steinbeck put it, "Texas is a state of mind," we're happy to let our minds wander awhile in the Hill Country. Cooled by gentle breezes and colored by acres of springtime wildflowers, it's a region of lush woodsy hills more typical of Tuscany than the Lone Star State. Where legendary dance halls delight you with boot-tappin' country music. And towns like Fredericksburg welcome you with bratwurst, biergartens and, yes, even crafted-in-Texas gewürztraminers. Got the Hill Country on your mind? Hope to see y'all here real soon.
Day 1 Slow down, savor the simple beauty of remote, wide-open spaces
and enjoy your first taste of undulating hill country roads while riding from Blanco to Comfort 
Cruise beneath a canopy of oak trees into quaint Sisterdale (Pop. 25) for lunch 
Stop at the historic Sister Creek Winery before pedaling on.
Days 2-3 Love wildflowers? You'll find heaven on the Willow City Loop,
25 breathtaking miles of country road amid some of the most unique scenery - and glorious fields of springtime wildflowers - you'll find in central Texas Spin through Luckenbach - don't blink or you'll miss this pint-sized town, immortalized by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings Visit the famous Luckenbach Dancehall, a sacred institution among legions of local two-steppers Sipping a Shiner Bock at a traditional German biergarten? You must be in Fredericksburg!
Days 4-5 Pedal past live oak, prickly pear cactus and classic Texas ranchland to Gruene,
home to the oldest continuously running dance hall in the state Built in 1878 and revitalized in the 1970s, Gruene Hall has been instrumental in launching the careers of such country music greats as Lyle Lovett and George Strait Head out for a shady morning ride along the Guadalupe River.
Trip Highlights
- Slow down, savor the simple beauty of remote, wide open spaces
- Bike the Willow City Loop amid glorious fields of bluebonnets
- Feel like you've been transported to a town on the Rhine in old-world Fredericksburg
- Pedal past live oak, prickly pear cactus and classic Texas ranchland to historic Gruene
- Kick up your heels to classic honky-tonk music at a traditional dance hall
- Feast on authentic melt-in-your-mouth Texas BBQ
Premiere Inns
Meyer Bed and Breakfast on Cypress Creek (1 night): A welcoming country home set on the edge of the historic district of Comfort and bordered by treelined Cypress Creek.(pool)
Hoffman Haus (2 nights): The vibrant shops, restaurants and dance halls of Main Street are just steps from this beautiful property with historic cabins and private courtyards. (spa)
Gruene Mansion Inn (1 night): Step back in time at this elegant mansion, once a private home and now a designated Texas Historic Landmark on the banks of the Guadalupe River.
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 25* | 1200 | 42 | 1600 | ||||||
| 52 | 1700 | |||||||||
| 2 | 21* | 700 | 44 | 1000 | ||||||
| 51 | 1200 | |||||||||
| 3 | 30* | 900 | 53 | 1700 | 63 | 2000 | ||||
| 4 | 42* | 1000 | 92 | 2600 | ||||||
| 5 | 13* | 800 | 34 | 1000 | ||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 9/29-10/3 Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $650 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/6-10 Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $650 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/13-17 Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $650 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/20-24 Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $650 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/27-31 Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $650 for sgl. occ.)
- 11/3-7 Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $650 for sgl. occ.)
- 11/10-14 Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $650 for sgl. occ.)
- 11/17-21 Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $650 for sgl. occ.)
Plus 8.25% Texas state sales tax.
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
Idyllic roads are numerous here, and anyone with a decent map can put together good biking routes in the Texas Hill Country. But creating an off-the-charts travel experience requires more than idyllic roads. What you won't find on the "map" is what this trip is all about: the culture, the food, the music, the heart and passion of Texas. We're pretty sure you'll love this quintessential Backroads trip, which weaves superlative riding with unforgettable, authentic moments!- Trip Specialist