The best walks and hikes around Bishop Hills

The Lower Bluff Trail at the Wildcat Bluff Nature Center offers a hike through the vast and barren landscape of Texas. The trail winds through typical prairie terrain, lined with scattered bushes and low mesquite trees that provide shade. The rolling hills offer ever-changing views of the landscape, and the air is filled with the scent of dry grass and earth. On this approximately 1.24-mile loop trail, you can enjoy the peace and solitude of the Texas prairie. The route is mostly flat and easy to walk, ideal for a relaxed hike. The rock formations that flank the bluff are particularly impressive and give you a taste of the region's geology. The trail also takes you to a point where you can take in a wide view of the open prairie - a place to pause and take in the untouched nature. It is best to plan your hike early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the heat has subsided a bit. The trail is largely exposed and the sun can be strong here. The Lower Bluff Trail is an ideal entry point to the Wildcat Bluff Nature Center, giving you a feeling of being away from it all - a small glimpse into the Texas wilderness.

The Wildcat Bluff Nature Center in Amarillo offers you an authentic prairie experience on around 640 hectares of Texas landscape. The various hiking trails, such as the Windmill Trail and the Lower Bluff Trail, lead you through rolling hills, wide grasslands and past historical sites such as the remains of an old windmill. The trails offer a good mix of easy to moderate sections, ideal for a hike through the open space. Along the trails you will also find the habitat of prairie dogs and numerous native plants and animals, which makes the hike particularly interesting for nature observation. The Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center, which is also part of the nature park, also offers exciting information about the history of the region, as the area once played an important role on the historic Gregg-Marc Wagon Route. The Upper Bluff Trail takes you to a hill with great views over the prairie and is particularly recommended in the morning when the landscape appears in soft light. Remember to bring sturdy shoes and water – out here on the prairie you can really feel the peace and space of Texas.

Medipark Lake A features a nice fishing pier and is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. A pleasant trail loops around the lake, offering peaceful views of the water for a relaxing hike.

In 1968, they erected this monument to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of helium. Amarillo played a significant role in the U.S. Government’s strategic helium reserve. Each column contains historical documents and mementos from 1968.

You can see the unique rock formation of Wildcat Bluff from almost the entire park. This lookout point offers stunning panoramic views of the area. Be sure to stay safe and avoid climbing on the rocks for a better view.

This trail takes you around the bluff, offering great views of the rock formations in the area. It's about 1.25 miles in total and provides some of the best views of Wildcat Bluff.

This trailhead features several informational boards detailing the park and providing a map to help you get familiar with the area. Dogs and running are not allowed, making it an ideal place for a leisurely walk to enjoy the surroundings.