5 Breathtaking Alpine Towns In Texas
Each year, Texas draws countless travelers seeking to warm up in the dry, desert heat, but it may surprise you to know that it is a state of varied biomes. Texas contains everything from swamps and coastal regions to hill country and desert, and, of course, plains. But what many visitors do not realize at first glance is that Texas is also home to its own mountainous areas. Although they do not necessarily match the state's “everything’s bigger,” motto, Texas is home to over 2,000 named mountains and hills, and many of them are surrounded by cozy alpine towns, waiting to welcome visitors. These sweet little spots offer folks hoping to explore Texas’s mountains a comfortable base camp, and their own wintry charm may just keep you coming back year after year!
Fredericksburg
Visitors don’t have to go as far as Germany to experience an authentic Alpine delight when Texas Hill Country’s German-settled gem, Fredericksburg, offers travellers not only several historic and interesting peaks, but a cozy place to warm up and refuel. The second Texas town settled by German immigrants, Fredericksburg, is surrounded by several mountains with a history that predates even Texas. Known as “Kreuzberg” by the settlers, Cross Mountain has long been known for the timber cross erected atop it by Spanish priests following a Conquistador, and was forgotten until rediscovered by settlers. Today, visitors can see a new cross placed in 2024 atop the marl and limestone hill, which rises to 1,951 feet, while enjoying the many hiking trails around Cross Mountain. When you want to warm up or just have worked up an appetite, Friedhelm’s Bavarian Inn digs deep into Fredericksburg’s roots with not only its authentic German cuisine, but its cozy rooms and its six bed and breakfast suites, perfect for cuddling with that special someone on cold nights after a romantic mountain excursion. Also, winters in Fredericksburg are special for more than just seasonal ice-skating at Eisbahn; the town celebrates its German roots with a traditional Christmas Pyramid.
Comfort
Cozily cradled in the hill country, Comfort, Texas, lives up to its name despite, and perhaps because of, the rugged landscape. An unincorporated territory near Boerne, Texas, with a population of only three thousand, Comfort is notable for its proximity to rolling peaks and several vineyards, making it an excellent alpine experience. A perfect place to start is the Flat Rock Ranch. Do not let the name fool you, Flat Rock Ranch is far from flat. Its over 1300 acres of rugged terrain is famed for its mountain biking and challenging hiking trails, making it the perfect place to push yourself while taking in gorgeous views from its heights. Once you’ve gotten your heart racing in the brisk, open air of the ranch, you can warm up and chill out in one of the amazing local vineyards, such as Singing Water Vineyards. Opening its doors beneath limestone and granite peaks, Singing Water Vineyards is just ten minutes outside of Comfort. With a nearby creek’s burbling as background, you can taste many of their homemade wines, many of which are brewed from grapes grown at the vineyard, as you rest and recuperate after a thrilling hike.
Boerne
North of San Antonio, Boerne built itself on its hill country roots. This charming gemstone delves deep into the earth to provide unique experiences for visitors looking to see a side of alpine enjoyment for advanced alpinists: natural caverns. Boerne has several notable and nationally acclaimed caverns within easy driving distance, making it unique even for Texas’s hilly heaven. One is particularly noteworthy despite not even having a name: The Cave without a Name. Located only eleven miles from Boerne, the Cave retains a cool temperature of sixty-six degrees Fahrenheit, so even in winter you’ll have a cozy appetizer to your cavern tours. Once you’ve whetted your appetite with the cave without a Name, the Cascade Caverns let you dive right in. This five-room cavern system has been a tourist destination since the 1930s, giving Boerne’s visitors stunning views from the many carved initials of Boerne youths who discovered the cave to the silent lake and seven waterfalls in the final chamber.
Once you’re done spelunking and taking in the hills, you can relax with a variety of cuisines in the Dodging Duck Brewhaus. This cozy and casual spot offers an eclectic mix of Texan and German cuisine, from bison burgers to beer sauerkraut, and of course, home-brewed beer to wash it down. Like other German-heritage towns, Boerne has its own special winter festivals, such as the Weihnachts Parade, which takes place on the first Saturday of December.
Dripping Springs
An often-underappreciated aspect of an alpine experience is the incredible water features found in the heights and hills, especially springs and waterfalls; Dripping Springs has an abundance of them within easy reach. This small town of roughly ten thousand souls rests west of Austin amidst some of the most beautiful hills in the state, and it has the well-earned title of “wedding capital of the state.” Dripping Springs has several pleasant places to see for alpine-seeking adventurers. Families have always found the Hamilton Pool Preserve perfect for outings, as not only is it the home of a fifty-foot waterfall formed where Hamilton Creek meets several large limestone outcroppings, but it is also an excellent place for birdwatchers. The preserve is only twenty minutes away from Dripping Springs as well, making it well-suited to day trips for itinerants.
More limestone slabs can be found in Pedernales Falls State Park, which lies thirteen miles northwest of town. Containing the Pedernales river, which flows between and over massive limestone formations, has some of the most breathtaking rock scenery in Texas hill country, and with trails as relaxing as the half-mile Twin Falls Nature Trail, which capstones at a point overlooking the falls, or as challenging as the Wolf Mountain Trail, which goes around both the Wolf and Tobacco mountains, there’s plenty of ways to see them no matter your activity level. The town's usually mild winters make it an excellent place to visit year-round.
Alpine
For alpine enthusiasts looking to hit it big in the Lone Star state, paradise might very well be found in “the Eden of the West,” better known as Alpine, Texas. The beating heart of the Big Bend region, Alpine’s rich history and diverse culture offer visitors an incredible place to discover whatever they seek. Whether the weather is hot or cold, Alpine has breathtaking alpine bliss on offer. The stars at night are big and bright in Texas, and Alpine is perfect for stargazing, given its location in the largest dark sky reserve in the world. It’s also within easy driving distance of Big Bend National Park. With an elevation ranging from 1800 feet to 8000 feet atop the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend offers Texan travellers access to a wide variety of mountainous materials in its massive canyons and forested mountains. Its mild winters make it perfect for some winter wandering. For those looking for something cozier and cuddlier, the Wasserman Wranch is a perfect family adventure with some unique critters not found often even in Texas. Just fifteen minutes from downtown Alpine, the Wasserman Wranch is home to an eclectic mix of animals ranging from adorable donkeys to zany alpacas, and even camels and kangaroos.
Although many visitors might not realize that Texas’ varied ecological vibrancy extends to alpine altitudes, the state has space for anything and everything beneath its wide skies, including an alpine attitude. Its hills and highlands provide countless breathtaking views and rugged trails for you to enjoy, regardless of whether you want to challenge yourself or just relax in the serene spaces. When you want somewhere cozy and fun to recharge from your excursions, the Lone Star State's small towns offer a gamut of geniality, from warm brewhouses and vineyards to exciting historical and family-friendly explorations.
