Although San Antonio sits on the wide flat expanse of the South Texas Plain, the north of the city nudges into a very different landscape – the wooded hills and canyons of the Texas Hill Country. This is where the Friedrich Wilderness Park sits on 97 hectares of juniper, Spanish oak, cherry and walnut, criss-crossed by trails. This is one of the most unspoilt parts of San Antonio, and is great for hiking, climbing, bird watching and getting a feel for the Texan wilds.
The Wilderness Park owes its creation to the generosity of local landowner Norma Friedrich Ward. She wanted to see the unique wildlife of these craggy limestone woods, meadows and hills preserved. On her death, in 1971, 73 hectares of her land was bequeathed to the City, to be used as a public park. Over the years, more landowners and donations have followed suit, letting the park grow in scope and size.
There are nearly nine kilometres of hiking trails to be walked throughout the Park, some easy and accessible by wheelchairs, others scaling the steep rocky canyon slopes. You can get some spectacular views back over San Antonio from the highest peaks, which reach up 350 metres above sea-level.
If you're lucky, you might also catch a sight of the golden-cheeked Warbler or the Black-capped Vireo, two rare and protected birds that nest here in the summer. More likely, you'll see signs of deer, raccoons and delicate orchids in the park's meadows. Either way, you're sure to get a little slice of Texan paradise. In a city as sprawling and fast-growing as San Antonio, that's something much-treasured by both locals and visitors alike.
