Itinerary

Day 0: Arrival in San Antonio

You’re in Texas, so you need to start BIG! Could there possibly be a better way to start off a week long bike tour of Texas Hill Country than by spending an evening in downtown San Antonio? The San Antonio River Walk offers entertainment to suit all tastes – from music, to boat tours, to restaurants, to shopping – the River Walk has it all and more! Have fun, but don’t stay out too late because our cycling adventure begins early the following morning from the meeting hotel.

Day 1: Blanco, Texas to Boerne

After travel and a possible busy night one may still be feeling the “buzz” from San Antonio. So today’s bike ride will have a casual start.This first day’s route follows a lonely road from Blanco, Texas to Boerne. The 600-foot climb of Crabapple Hill serves as the major ascent on day 1.
Tonight’s stay in Boerne will be at the Ye Kendall Inn, one of the few remaining 19th century limestone resort hotels in Texas. It’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After settling in, you’ll enjoy a relaxing dinner while unwinding from the day’s ride. After dinner, stroll down the streets of this quaint Texas town.
Distance: 40 Miles with 2,000 feet of climbing.

Day 2: Boerne, Texas to Fredericksburg

Day 2 takes cyclists across the heart of Texas Hill Country with a stop in Luckenbach, Texas, a modern ghost town with strong western roots, a rich music history and a population of 3, and then ending at the Four Point Wine to relax and sample the local wines. The route offers a few short climbs at the start, then a longer one to Bat Cave State Park for lunch. After the visit to the winery, we shuttle a short distance to Fredericksburg,to check into the Hoffman Haus, our accommodations for the next two evenings. Sit back after a day of cycling in their serene and secluded enclave. Stroll a block to downtown for a hearty Texas sized dinner, live music and post ride camaraderie. This town with it’s deep German heritage is sure to offer something to everyone.
Distance: 43 miles with 2,200 feet of climbing

Day 3: Layover with Willow City Loop Ride

Day 3 is a layover in Fredericksburg. In the morning, you’ll set off on this region’s signature ride, the Willow City Loop. This scenic route stops at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, an enormous dome of pink granite covering a full square mile and rising 425 feet above the surrounding countryside. Enjoy a lunch at the park. You’ll also have time to hike the 1-mile trail to the top.
On this day off from the road, explore this old West area. Visit one of the neighboring towns’ famous German biergartens and enjoy a Shiner Bock Lager. Visit The National Museum of the Pacific War, or explore the many stores that downtown has to offer. You’ll be on own to enjoy Fredericksburg’s many dining establishments this evening
Distance: 52 miles with 2,500 feet of climbing

Day 4: Fredericksburg, Texas to Blanco

On Wednesday we’ll take a meandering southeasterly route to the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, homestead of the 36th U.S. President. A 4-mile paved interpretive bike tour of the working ranch serves as the park’s highlight. Next, visit the Johnsons’ private residence on a fascinating 45-minute tour.
During his presidency, Johnson and his wife Ladybird paved nearly every ranching road in the county. As a result, cycling in Hill Country has taken off.
Spend lunch under one of Hill Country’s iconic riverside Live Oak trees. Day 4 ends with pedaling into the town of Blanco and the Blanco Settlement.
In Blanco, we’ll enjoy a good-ol’ Texas barbecue, with live bluegrass music around the fireplace outside our cabins! Austin’s family owned Smokey Denmark caters tonight’s smoked sausages, brisket and fresh green salad. A local trio of musicians will entertain us during dinner.
Distance: 46 miles with 1,800 feet of climbing.

Day 5: Blanco, Texas to Gruene

Day 5 is a two part ride with the first morning segment of 33 miles along remote Texas Hill Country roads past farms, ranches and pastures and through the near ghost town of Driftwood. But make sure to attack those rolling hills along the way to build up your appetite because we will have a feast of world famous Texas barbecue for lunch at The Salt Lick, a Hill Country legend!
After lunch we shuttle a short distance to the start of the amazing River Road, a cycling nirvana of 14 miles along the scenic Guadalupe River Road offering four wide river bridge crossings and ending in the small town of Gruene, Texas. The Gruene Mansion Inn is tonight’s destination for dining and dancing before our final day of riding.
Gruene is home to one of the finest, if not the finest, live music venues in the world, Gruene Hall, the oldest continually run dance hall in Texas. Yes, the place looks as if it is about to fall down on your head, yet it’s nothing short of amazing. So after a day of “dancing on the pedals”, save a little for some dancing at this legendary place.
Distance: 47 miles with 2,100 feet of climbing.

Day 6: Guadalupe River

On the final morning of the Texas Hill Country bike tour, we roll one more time into the heart of Hill Country for the final ride of the tour. We travel all morning along ranch roads to a secluded spot in a cypress forest along the Guadalupe River for lunch. Post ride we shuttle back to San Antonio. If one has the time, it is highly recommended that guests stay Friday night (post tour) in San Antonio to experience the town’s beautiful River Walk. Guests electing to stay in downtown San Antonio arrange for their own shuttle ($20) to the airport upon their departure from San Antonio
Distance: 32 miles with 1,600 feet of climbing

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Lodging

Night 1: Kendall Inn, Boerne
Night 2 & 3: Hoffman Haus, Fredericksburg
Night 4: Tilman Resort Blanco
Night 5: The Gruene Mansion Inn, Gruene

Included:

• 5 Nights of exceptional lodging.
• 6 Days of meals including: all breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners.
• Daily gourmet lunch en route, a Texas BBQ lunch at the world famous Salt Lick.
• Entrance fees included.
• Shuttle and mechanical support.
• Luggage transport

Not included:

• Night before and after the tour not included.
• Bike rental
• Flights to and from the trip.
• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuity guides.

Pricing / Tour dates

Tour price 2023: $ 3190.- pp single fee $ 490.-
You can avoid a single supplement by sharing a room with another rider.
Rental bike:
Scott Addict 10: $250.-
Scott E-bike: $395
Tour dates 2023:
09 Oct – 14 Oct
15 Oct – 20 Oct
05 Nov – 10 Nov

Tour dates 2024:
10 March – 15 March
17 March – 22 March fully booked
24 March – 29 March
31 March – 5 April
6 April – 11 April fully booked
13 Oct. – 18 Oct.
20 Oct. – 25 Oct.
27 Oct. – 1 Nov.
03 Nov. – 08 Nov.

Conditions

Deposit $950.- pp
The deposit payment for a tour must be paid within two weeks after the booking is confirmed.
The remaining payment is due 90 days before the start of the tour.
For tours that are booked within 90 days before the start of the tour you will pay 100% of the tour price

Information

This tour is a cyclist’s dream. With lightly traveled back-country roads, Texas-sized hospitality and delicious regional cuisine, this 6-day spin through the Texas Hill Country is one of the best kept secrets in the country. It delivers an exceptional start or end to the bike-touring season.
The tour operator has worked with locals to devise a route on single and two-lane roads with little traffic. The routes wind through rolling limestone hills, past wineries and through quiet river valleys under the shade of giant cypress trees. The destination towns have a rich history of independent German and Irish immigrants who fought off Comanche and Apache Indians to settle there. There is a little taste of Europe in Hill Country with a Texas flair.
Don’t miss out on the music when you arrive! San Antonio is the heart and soul of a vibrant country, blues and rock scene. The venues and performances are legendary and electric. While on tour cyclists enjoy up to six live performances and dancing legendary Texas dance halls in Luckenbach and Gruene. So treat yourself to some of the best live music you’ll enjoy anywhere.

The weather: Fall and spring bring ideal cycling weather to the Texas Hill Country. The highs range in the 70’s and 80’s. The evenings are pleasant and provide ample opportunity to outside dining.