Cross Texas Trail: Texas State Rep Proposes New 1500-Mile Trail From Orange to El Paso

For hikers dreaming of a new challenge traversing Texas’ vast landscapes on foot, bike, or horseback, a new long-distance trail across Texas may soon become a reality. Known as the Cross Texas Trail, or XTX, this proposed 1,500-mile route promises to showcase the diversity of the Lone Star State, from pine forests of East Texas to the rugged deserts of the West. 

Proposed red-line map of the Cross Texas Trail. Photo via XTX website

Spearheaded by bike advocate, former community design consultant, and state representative Charlie Gandy, this trail could place Texas on the map as a premier destination for long-distance hiking. 

“Those of us who like to go cross-country have limited choices in Texas,” Gandy told Texas Monthly in an interview. “We have postage stamp–sized parks where we can go round and round, but not many long distances where we can do more than a hundred miles at a time.”

The outdoor advocate envisions the XTX as a solution for those seeking longer, uninterrupted routes across a state that consists of more than 96 percent of private land. To address this, the trail is designed to follow backroads and existing public land, with future goals of expanding access through land acquisitions and right-of-way agreements.

While Texas offers stunning state parks, many are too small to satisfy the demands of long-distance trekking. The state’s longest existing trail, the Lone Star Hiking Trail, spans just 96 miles in Sam Houston National Forest — far short of the challenge many seek. 

The XTX would travel from the eastern Texas border town of Orange to El Paso in the west, meandering through historic towns, state parks, and lesser-known backroads. From bayous and evergreen forests to cacti-filled deserts, 40 percent of the proposed route would follow gravel roads.

“The eastern portion is big on barbecue, beer, and Blue Bell ice cream. The western part is cactus, rattlesnakes, dust, near death, and tarantulas,” Gandy said to reporters.

A Long-Distance Trail to Call Texas’ Own

The XTX is still in its infancy, but Gandy has laid the groundwork to make it a reality. Starting in the flat, coastal region near the Louisiana border, the XTX gradually gains elevation for a total of 56,000 feet as it heads west, culminating at Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,751 feet. 

Photo Credit: J. Taylor Bell

The trail’s visionary also poises the XTX as a footpath where users not only test their endurance but also immerse themselves in Texas culture, from small towns with rich histories to natural wonders like Big Bend National Park.

For Gandy, this project is deeply personal. Inspired by his own experiences as a hiker and cyclist and spurred by a sense of urgency rooted in his childhood battle with rheumatic fever, he sees the XTX as his legacy project. With a passion for promoting outdoor recreation, Gandy has dedicated his efforts — and his own financial contributions — to bring this trail to life. He has already contributed and raised $20,000, but an additional $30,000 is needed by spring 2025 to develop maps, promote the route, and scout sections of the trail.

Trail advocates are excited by the potential of the XTX, but some remain cautious about the challenges ahead. Former Texas Parks and Wildlife employee Ky Harkey acknowledged in an interview with Texas Monthly the state’s land accessibility issues and hopes the trail will not detract from long-time efforts already in place to improve urban parks and trails.

Regardless of the challenges, Gandy is determined to put the Cross Texas Trail on more than just the map — he’s eager to see his proposed red line become dirt path. He hopes the trail may serve as an alternative for thru-hikers contending with seasonal challenges such as wildfires or snow and eventually gains its rightful status as a legacy long-distance trail itself.

Featured image via J. Taylor Bell