{"id":62012,"date":"2026-10-06T05:26:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T05:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"urn:motra-oct3:LSB:12"},"modified":"2026-10-09T21:20:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T21:20:23","slug":"lsb-lsb-first-ed-june-2003-ride-the-bandera-loop-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/?p=62012","title":{"rendered":"BackRoads – Bandera Loop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Larry Gore<\/strong>
LoneStarBiker \u2014 First Edition
Printed pages: 5-13<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you think of riding great mountain roads with challenging hills and curves and one incredible view after another, you normally wouldn't think of Texas. Well, think again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The area known as the "Texas Hill Country" stretches roughly from San Antonio to Austin and then westward for about 100 miles. The roads range from the mild – gentle hills and sweeping curves – to the wild -don't let your concentration lapse for a second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are so many wonderful roads that planning a visit to the area can seem overwhelming. In this issue we have focused on two ride options – a Kerrville \u2014 Bandera Loop, and the Kerrville \u2014 Fredericksburg area. Keep in mind there is so much to see and do that either of these could easily turn into a several day excursion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each ride can easily take up an entire day if you choose to sight see, shop and enjoy the many restaurants and watering holes, and if you have more time check out the recommended side trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of these segments are in very remote areas. Gas stations can easily be more than 50 miles apart and they don't operate \u201c24\/7\u201d. Top off your tank frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cell phone service is generally available but, depending on who your service provider is, you will probably find some "dead spots".<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our favorite way to enjoy the Hill Country is to stay in Kerrville and explore the various trips from there. Kerrville, centrally located, is an easy day's ride for any of the trips listed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Stay: YO Ranch Resort Hotel 830-257-4440 www.YOResort.com. 2033 Sidney Baker Kerrville, Texas 78028 (just South of I-10 at exit 508)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Named after the YO Ranch at Mountain Home this is a large, very nice resort hotel with all the amenities. The 2-story ranch-style buildings provide privacy and the ability to park your motorcycle where you can see it from your room. The restaurant offers some outstanding menu items and the pool is a welcome sight after a long day of riding. On most nice weekends there are dozens of motorcycle riders using the YO Ranch as a base from which to explore the Hill Country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall. The summertime can be pleasant in the Hill Country especially riding early or late in the day. Plan on spending the hottest part of the day in the Guadalupe, Frio or Medina Rivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting There: Kerrville is on I-10 west about 60 miles Northwest of San Antonio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Name of Trip: Kerrville \u2013 Bandera Loop Distance: 170 Miles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time: 5 hours, more if you sightsee a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Route: Kerrville, Hunt, Vanderpool, Utopia, Leakey, Vanderpool, Medina, Bandera, Kerrville.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Side Trips: Leakey to Camp Wood and beyond, 90 miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlights: White limestone cliffs form distinctive backdrops to the cypress-lined banks of spring fed crystal clear rivers. The scenic views are awesome as you enjoy the hills, curves and "twisties". Go in the spring and enjoy a wildflower extravaganza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kerrville \u2014 Hunt. 18 miles, From YO Ranch go to SR-27. At junction take SR-39.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ride along the Guadalupe and watch it switch back and forth along the sides of the road. One of the interesting things is to notice how often the river has been dammed with low dams to form large pools that seem to invite all passersby to stop and cool off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial section as you leave Kerrville is lined with resorts that offer all kinds of river fun \u2014 rafting, swimming, kayaking, white water rapids and idyllic picnic spots. The ride along the banks of the Guadalupe is one of the most beautiful and peaceful scenes in the entire state of Texas. In the spring this area is lush with new growth bursting forth, in the summer everything is at its peak, stop and watch as white water tumbles over the rocks, swirls around cypress roots and then relaxes into crystal clear pools. In the Fall, if you are lucky, you can catch the trees changing color and enjoy the fall colors mirror-imaged in the few places where the river is calm. In the winter the leaves are gone and you marvel in unobstructed views of the river, the limestone cliffs and deer feeding in the edges of the clearings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hunt \u2014 Vanderpool. 40 miles. Take WR-39 about 20 miles then head south on Ranch Road 187. Another 20 miles will bring you to Vanderpool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Hunt you will cross the Guadalupe River several times on low water crossings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These tend to be flat bridges that will angle across the river just as you come over a hill or around a curve \u2014 be prepared to react quickly. Leaving the river you will find long sweeping curves, gentle hills and a lot of incredibly pretty ranches. Many of these ranches raise exotic animals and have 12 foot high game fences to keep them in. Watch for antelope, ostrich, emu, buffalo and other very unusual animals. Leaving WR-39 and heading south on 187 the terrain becomes even gentler for about 10 miles. Lost Maples State Park will be on your right after you descend a long grade cut through solid rock. This isolated stand of Maple Trees is far from the rest of their species. There is a motorcycle museum near Vanderpool, but it seems to be open only by appointment so good luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lost Maples Country Store (gas station) is at the intersection of Hwy 337 and Hwy 187. We noticed the gas pumps but, being city boys, thought we would gas up at the next intersection – after all we had gassed up the night before on the way to Leakey. Poor decisions like this can be a killer mistake in this country. Not only are gas stations few and far between but your gas mileage will drop significantly when you are riding up and down these hills. Once we left the 337\/187 intersections we did not see another gas station, or store of any type, until we got to Medina, Texas. The final 15 miles into Medina were very nerve-wracking as we watched our odometer roll way past the point at which we normally need gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vanderpool \u2014 Utopia. 11 miles, Ranch Road 187.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are in the flatlands as you ride along the Sabinal River and cross it a couple of times. If there has been a lot of rain recently, watch the blind curves because there are some low water crossings along this route and you might find the river is running over the bridges. On our last trip we rounded out of a curve at a good pace when, suddenly, we were faced with a 200 wide area that had about a foot of water rushing over the roadway. By time we were able to shut down the bikes and get them to a stop we almost knee deep in rushing water. Oops!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip: Leakey is in a dry county. If alcohol is your thing plan on taking it with you, from Leakey the nearest place to purchase beer is 30 miles in either direction. There are only a couple of restaurants in town so food choices are limited. The caf\u00e9 opposite the town square is like stepping back 50 years in time and serves up real tasty hamburgers, fries and milk shakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Side Trip: Leakey – Camp Wood Loop. Approximately 90 miles. Take Hwy 337 West 21 miles to Camp Wood, then North on Hwy 335 about 28 miles to Hwy 41. Turn right on Hwy 41 for 10 miles then South on Hwy 336 for 27 miles brings you back into Leakey. The southern half of this loop is very scenic and offers more great motorcycle riding, the northern half of the loop is still hilly with long gentle curves. This is the very edge of the Hill Country from here the type of terrain to the West begins to change into a desert environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utopia \u2013 Leakey. 23 miles, Take Ranch Road 1050 west, about 16 miles will bring you to US-83. Turn right on US-83 for about 8 miles to Leakey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This route is made up of short, choppy hills and blind curves – the kind where you crest a hill and the road suddenly makes a sharp turn. This is the kind of road that makes life real interesting \u2013 if you stay very alert. One miscalculation here and you will find out how far from emergency medical services you really are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just before you get to US-83 you will cross the aptly named Rio Frio (\u201ccold river\u201d) where the wide sandy bottom, the large rocks and the cypress trees combine for a memorable photo opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(If you want a short diversion, turn left on US-83 about a mile to Garner State Park, 9 miles further brings you to Concan and more picture-perfect Hill Country scenery.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leakey \u2013 Vanderpool. 16 miles. East on Ranch Road-337 from Leakey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Leakey be sure to visit the Frio Canyon Bike Stop \u2014 don't worry you can't miss it. The owners are great people and make all visitors feel welcome. This place is a treasure trove of information about where to ride and what to see and you can even buy Hill Country maps that have an amazing amount of detail and information. Frio Canyon Bike Stop isn't a shop, but they do carry a few parts that might help you get by in an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 16-mile run along RR 337 heading East out of Leakey is probably one of the most intense – and scenic – stretches of highway in Texas. We stopped at the top of the 1st major hill and looked back across the valley. Below us was a farm complete with a slow-moving stream, a huge natural reflecting pond and barns, fences, farm implements and a whole herd of absolutely cute goats. We wondered if the owner of the property had any idea of the impact that the scene has on others. From this first great view things only got better for the next 16 – seemed like a lot further – miles. Hairpin turns, switchbacks, steep inclines, sheer drop-offs beside the road and, occasionally, a house or vacation cottage tucked away on a hillside or hidden in a valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next 15 or 16 miles are truly exciting and incredibly beautiful. Stop often and admire the scenery there are many places you can safely pull off and stop. The riding is awesome. Lean into the curves, roll out of them and enjoy seeing just what you and your bike can (safely) do. Don't get careless; they fish careless bikers out of these ravines on a regular basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wildflowers were in full bloom; the crystal clear air separated the distant mountains with varying shades of blue. This truly incredible experience was exactly why we love the Texas Hill Country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speed? You want to talk speed! Speed is so out of place with the beauty of this area that it seems almost irreverent. Instead of making a race of it, you might find it more enjoyable to take your time, relax and thoroughly enjoy the incredible new view every time you round another curve. In one stretch of 337 riding East out of Leakey, TX we took over two hours to make 15 miles. Even at that pace we were sad when that part of the trip ended. We did find that we could double our pleasure by riding the same route in the opposite direction – it gave an entirely new perspective on the scenery and allowed us to see things that we missed the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip: They did not build scenic lookout points, so be careful stopping alongside the road that you and your bike will be clearly visible to other vehicles that might come around the curves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A final stop on 337 at a picnic area on the last high point provides a panoramic view of this stretch of Texas \u2013 a pastoral valley below with cattle and hills fading into the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The road descends rapidly as you connect up with Hwy 187 and, voila, you are back at the Lost Maples Country Store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vanderpool \u2013 Medina. 21 miles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the junction of 337 and 187 go south for about a mile and then left (East) on 337. Not as \u201cwild\u201d as the Leakey to Vanderpool stretch but still exciting. There are plenty of curves and some long, steep grades. Watch for the ranch (Paradise Valley) on your right. Set against a backdrop of sheer rock, the tranquility of the large lake is framed by the hills and valleys. This is a dream setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are lucky enough to be in Medina during apple harvest you are in for a treat. This is the apple capital of Texas and you will find apples prepared in just about every way imaginable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medina \u2014 Bandera. 14 miles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relatively flat country with plenty of curves as the road follows a path along the banks of the Medina River. Just outside Bandera and before you cross the Medina River bridge there is a roadside park\/picnic area on your left. This is a good place to stop for a picnic or a swim in the river. There is easy access to and from the water at this location. If you happen to be staying at the Twin Elm Ranch this is the place they bring you to tube back to the Ranch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bandera \u2014 Kerrville. 26 miles, SR-173.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan on spending some time in "The Cowboy Capital of the World". Bandera is like a scene from an old Western. You keep expecting gunfire to erupt and see cowboys fall from roofs into horse watering troughs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not today though – must be a crowd of tame tourists in town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Real rodeos with real working cowboys are held weekly during the warmer months at the Twin Elm Ranch. The event draws not only the tourists but many locals as well. We guarantee you will have a great time watching these cowboys and cowgirls work<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Bandera is a small town they have a lot to choose from in live music. Almost every bar, dancehall and honky-tonk features live music \u2014 the selections range from C & W to The Blues. Speaking of The Blues, a visit Arkey Blues is a must for any visitor to Bandera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is BBQ country and there are several choice places to get your fill of BBQ and beans. From BBQ to chicken-fried steak you will find choices in Bandera. The OST Restaurant is a great place for any meal but breakfast there is extra special \u2014 be careful though, they serve you so much food you might "hurt yo' self".<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across the street from the OST Restaurant is the old General Store complete with an old-fashioned soda fountain and some of the best real milkshakes you will ever find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bandera area is where the "dude ranch" was invented and they know how to do it right. Some are working ranches that accept guests and some are mega-complexes designed to pamper your every whim. In all cases you can enjoy horseback riding, campfires, hiking or just kicking back and doing nothing. These guest ranches range from the fabulous to the rustic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Round out your stay in Bandera with a visit to the Frontier Times Museum or browsing any of the quaint little shops that offer everything from turquoise to turtle necks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scenic Medina River cuts right through town providing great views and, for many of the local motels, the peaceful sounds of rippling waters, birds singing and happy children of all ages frolicking in the cold, clear waters of the Medina River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The River Front Motel, 1-800-870-5671, is located at the edge of town just across the park from the Medina River. The cabins are clean, comfortable and affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Okay, you have been riding and playing all day and it is time to head back to Kerrville. It is only a 26-mile run up Ranch Road 173, but it is still an intense ride with hills and curves and wildlife wandering onto the road so continue to be careful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you arrive back at the YO Ranch you can relax, relive the day and start working on your "war stories" about the curves you almost overshot, the deer that jumped in front of you or anything else from your full and exciting day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ride smart and safe \u2013 The Lone Star Biker<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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By Larry GoreLoneStarBiker \u2014 First EditionPrinted pages: 5-13 When you think of riding great mountain roads with challenging hills and curves and one incredible view after another, you normally wouldn't think of Texas. Well, think again! The area known as the "Texas Hill Country" stretches roughly from San Antonio to Austin and then westward for … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":900707,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[149],"tags":[401,144],"class_list":["post-62012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-backroads","tag-b014","tag-lsb-first-edition"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=62012"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62012\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":900549,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62012\/revisions\/900549"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/900707"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=62012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=62012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/motorcyclesontheroadagain.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=62012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}