Join the Club: Hill Country Trekkers
Forty-one Hill Country Trekkers enjoyed a March hike through the rolling hills of Doeskin Ranch near Bertram, part of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Courtesy photo
If somebody tells you to “take a hike,” they could mean join the Hill Country Trekkers, now stepping into its 27th season of Monday group hikes. The 2025-26 season, which runs from October through May, began with an Oct. 6 trek at Inks Lake State Park near Burnet.
“Our purpose is to encourage people to get outdoors, especially in the Hill Country,” said Pam Max, an unofficial leader of the group. “I make video clips and share them on our Facebook page so others can see what we have to hike in our area.”
The Trekkers are a loyal group of mostly retired residents in the Hill Country, from Kerrville to the Highland Lakes to Lampasas, who love to hike. A Facebook page with nearly 1,000 followers has significantly increased the number of participants for each trek. Over 75 people joined a hike at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in the spring.
“Now, we ask people to sign up for the hike in advance if they want to attend, because the number of hikers may be limited at times due to parking availability or private land,” Max said.
This casual group of outdoors lovers is loosely organized, so there’s no pressure to participate in every hike.
“No dues are collected, and no officers are elected,” Max explained. “It’s strictly a ‘come-if-you-can’ hiking group.”
The Trekkers meet within a wide circle surrounding the Highland Lakes, sometimes closer to Austin or even north of Lampasas. When the group explores private property, hikers must sign a waiver to protect the landowner. Each tour will take from an hour to three hours, and attendees can bring their lunch or try a nearby restaurant.
“We usually hike state parks, but if someone has a private ranch, we really like that for an option,” Trekker Milta Vance said.
Organizers select the location and time, and potentially choose an eatery that the group can visit after the hike. Trekker long-timers also prefer that the leading trailblazer do some research and scope out the direction and path beforehand.
“The leader sets the pace,” Max said. “If it’s an energetic leader, we might go faster, but we all like to stop to smell the roses. We enjoy taking photos and exploring.”
Vance said anywhere from 20 to 60 trekkers show up for hikes, with an average of 40-50. Attendance depends on the weather and the location as it relates to the hikers’ homes.
“If we have a big crowd, we assign someone to be in the back to ensure no one is left behind,” Vance said. “Those in front can share cautions and warn each other about any hazards.”
Several members have organized overnight events, including trips to Lost Maples State Natural Area west of San Antonio, Big Bend National Park in West Texas, and South Dakota. At the start of 2025, a group took a midnight hike in Inks Lake State Park. This summer, hikers cooled down at the Cave Without a Name near Boerne and Inner Space Caverns in Georgetown.
“It’s a good social activity with exercise and something to look forward to,” Vance said.
October hikes included an expedition through Doeskin Ranch near Bertram and Tejas Park northeast of Liberty Hill. Other happenings organized by volunteers throughout the year include a Christmas party and an end-of-the-season celebration.
“We are an enthusiastic, active group of fun-loving, adventuresome folks making lasting friendships along the way,” Max said.
To learn more about roaming the Hill Country with local hikers, go to Groups.io/g/HillCountryTrekkers and click “Join This Group.” When you register, you will be added to an email list that offers information on upcoming hikes.
For a look at past hikes, visit the Hill Country Trekkers’ Facebook page.