Veloway at Circle C, Austin, TX

This one belongs to skaters! Well, inline skaters do share the Veloway with bicyclists, but joggers and cars are not allowed on this 3.1 mile paved loop through Austin's hill country. The Veloway is open seven days a week from sunup to sundown, and features slow and fast lanes for those who want to cruise and those who want to fly.

Here's an insider's scoop on the Veloway:

"My name is Darren Levy and I live in Austin and skate at the Veloway: 6-12 miles 5-6 days a week.  Following are some things to consider adding that will make the Veloway more appealing to everybody, especially beginners and those who have not yet been.

The course is very well designed and caters to all ability levels, from beginners, families with kids, recreational, freestyle to speed skaters!  All down and uphills are moderately pitched and fairly short, and every downhill ends on a flat runout or a slight uphill.  Also appealing is that the traffic flow is one way only, as wide as two highway lanes, and a smooth surface.  For beginners and first timers, there is a shorter loop that is only 1 mile long, incorporating part of the 3.1 mile loop.

There is an abundance of wildlife that are seen on a regular basis: Deer, Rabbits, Foxes, Mice, Squirrels, Eagles, Road Runners, Tarantulas, Snakes, Cardinals and other birds.  The natural foliage is abundant throughout, with Spanish Oaks, Prickly Pear Cactus, Cedars, and many different colored wildflowers especially in the spring time. Now Bluebonnets are in abundance, along with beautiful Gold and Red Mexican Hats, and loads more. It is across the street from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, definitely worth a visit, with exhibits of many and varied Texas wildflowers and rain water collection systems, a cafeteria, and gift shop, walking trails, and natural garden plots, etc. You can even get lucky and see Ladybird Johnson herself!

There is no concession facility so you must bring your own water, and parking is never a problem even on a very busy weekend!