Violet Crown Trail

This is a great new addition to the green belt trail. I’ve heard of others getting their cars broken into at other entrances and I’ve had it happen to myself as well. With safe parking at Specs, you can’t beat this!

Violet Crown Trail is basically a pathway that connects a bunch of greenbelts. It is protected lands to conserve water quality and provide more green space for people and animals alike. Once fully complete you will be able to go from the Barton Springs pool trailhead all the way up past sculpture falls.
Park in the parking lot to the west of Spec’s on Brodie (4970 W Hwy 290). After you park… walk through the parking lot toward the stop light and walk up the sidewalk on your left along the frontage road. You will see a crushed granite pathway running parallel to the service road. The main entrance is tucked a little way off the sidewalk through the trees.
The first segment consists of rocky switchbacks that work their way down a steep hill. You will notice several paths that cross the main one. Be sure to stay on the trail and not wander into the creek bed… as that is not a trail.
Dogs are supposed to be leashed and there are different segments of the trail that are pedestrian only and bikers are supposed to take an alternate route.
Bring water!

Beautiful new extension to the Barton Creek Greenbelt trail system. You can access it from the far end of the Spec’s parking lot off 290 and Brodie. Just follow the crushed granite trail at the end of the Spec’s parking lot that runs along the access road and you’ll meet the trailhead shortly.
This trail meets the main Greenbelt trail at about mile 4. The whole system is really a beautiful urban oasis filled with switchbacks, exposed tree roots and rock outcroppings, and (currently waterless) creek beds.
There are no facilities or water on this trail.
We loved it — kudos to the folks who made this enormous gift to our fair city possible!