Panther Canyon Nature Trail

A great, small trail system in Landa Park that offers out-and-back and loop options, ranging from 0.5 mi. to 1.8 mi. routes. Trail surfaces range from rocky, dry creek bed to loamy soil. Mostly shaded forest with lots of wildlife and native plants. The water flows through the canyon only during and immediately following rain and can be very high with significant downpours. The trails are not wheelchair or stroller-accessible. There are good, permanent trail markers. The eastern trailheads begin adjacent to a natural artesian springs located on the NW corner of the park known as Comal Springs. When flowing, it is the largest springs in Texas and the North American Southwest. The original trail, Panther Trail, ascends Panther Canyon crossing the dry creek bed multiple times. It is generally rocky and has mostly gentle to moderate inclines, multiple benches to rest on, and a few places to step off-trail to investigate the creek bed or small caves. A second, parallel trail, the Rim Trail, has recently been added to the south of the main trail. It has significant, sometimes steep inclines, rocks, and roots among the many singletrack switchbacks. This section should be considered "intermediate/difficult." That said, it has had recent maintenance and is passable for most fit, able-bodied hikers. It begins at the trail map and rejoins the Panther Trail just before the lollipop of the Loop Trail. There is a 0.5 mile Small Loop Trail just off the western trailheads on Ohio Ave. that can stand alone or form the lollipop turn-around if you are hiking out-and-back from Landa Park. This segment is generally gentle in steepness, but has some rocky or root-filled sections.