This is one of my favorite Hill Country day
trips out of Austin. You should consider
breaking it up with a stay in Fredericksburg
at one of many Bed and Breakfasts (highest
number of B&Bs per capita in the country).
If you do that, then I suggest you stop by
Pedernales Falls State Park on the way back to Austin.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All mileages are approximate and could be
totally wrong since I measured the distances
on a map and not an odometer!
- At the intersection of Hwy
183 and Hwy 1431 in Cedar Park go WEST
on Hwy 1431 toward Marble Falls.
- In Marble Falls at the intersection of Hwy 1431 and Hwy 281,
go SOUTH on Hwy 281.
- After a short distance (a few blocks) turn
LEFT into the The Blue Bonnet Cafe for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a
piece of pie. Note that depending on the
time of day, there could be a considerable
wait!
- After eating (or if you don't stop) continue
SOUTH on Hwy 281 toward Johnson City.
- In about 19 miles, turn RIGHT
off of Hwy 281 onto FM 1323 toward Sandy.
- In about 23(?) miles in the town of Willow
City bear RIGHT onto Willow City Loop.
- Drive the twisty, turny road and wonder in
disbelief that you are still in Texas (this
area is called by some "the most ruggedly
beautiful part of Texas"). The route
is particularly marvelous during wildflower
season (March through May depending on the
weather. For a wildflower report check the
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center wildflower forecast page.
- In about 12 miles on Willow City Loop reach
a "T" intersection with Hwy 16,
turn RIGHT, away from Fredericksburg and
toward Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.
- In a little over 4 miles turn LEFT on FM
965 (note there's a shortcut to 965 and
there
should be signs; follow the signs).
- In a few miles (5 or 10 depending how you
go), Enchanted Rock will be on your right.
- When you're done exploring, continue SOUTH
on FM 965 for about 17 miles then turn
LEFT
on US 290 and you're in Fredericksburg.
- Things to do in Fredericksburg include: Visit the shops along and around
Main Street (Hwy 290); eat at one of the
many restaurants including German fare at
Der Lindenbaum, ice cream, desserts, or sandwiches at Clear River Cafe, eclectic fare at The Rathskeller, upscale dinning at The Nest; visit the Admiral Nimitz State Historic Site which includes the Nimitz museum, Nimitz
Memorial Peace Garden, and The Museum of
the Pacific War.
- There are also one or two Texas wine stores
around Main Street and several Texas Wine Trail wineries in the area.
- When done exploring Fredericksburg, head
EAST on 290 toward Johnson City.
- Between Fredericksburg and Johnson City stop
at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic
Site and take the tour. Note that Lady Bird Johnson
still lives here.
- Continue on Hwy 290 to Johnson City, then
go NORTH on 281 to go
back through Marble Falls and 1431 or
SOUTH on 281/290
and then EAST on 290 to get back to
Austin.
Here is a
map
and directions that show one possible route. Note that
this route is a somewhat different from the
one described above. It starts and ends in
Fredericksburg, takes several beautiful and
twisty side-routes that motorcyclists enjoy
(such as Hamilton Pool Road and the legendary Lime Creek Road), stops at Pedernales Falls State Park rather
than LBJ State Park, and does not include
the side-trip from Willow City Loop to Enchanted
Rock. Still, it does have the route along
1431 through Marble Falls and the Willow
City Loop, so it may be of some use. (This
particular route is described in Motorcycle Journeys Through Texas by Neal Davis as Day 9 – Fredericksburg to Austin)
