Madla Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a short, relatively easy hike around Senator Frank L. Madla Jr. Natural Area. This is a typical example of Texas hill country hiking. The hike traverses a meadow, forest, creek bottom, and a hill. Nice views can be had looking west at the top of the hill. Be on the lookout for wild dwarf palmetto (sabal palmetto) in the creek bottom area. This is a great hike for evenings after work.

Start at the parking area for Senator Frank L. Madla Jr. Natural Area. It follows the dirt entry road to the beginning of East Bend Trail. Thereafter, it connects with Warbler Way, Ward's Path, and then the Jon Allan Loop. After taking a left on Jon Allan Loop, the trail climbs a hill to an early twentieth-century residence now owned by the park. A nice view and picnic table can be found on the top of the hill. The trail continues down the hill to the Cottage Road Connector (a dirt road) before connecting with the Prairie Path to return to the parking area. A number of side trails can be found along the hike as well.

Live oak, mountain cedar, Texas mountain laurel, dwarf palmetto, wildflowers, deer, and birds can all be found here.

Circa 1900 and 1930 structures exist on the top of the hill on the Jon Allan Loop.