Angel of Goliad Hike and Bike Trail

Angel of Goliad Hike and Bike Trail

The Angel of Goliad Hike and Bike Trail is a paved trail that runs from a trail head two blocks from the Goliad town square where it follows the San Antonio River into Goliad State Park and Historic Site.  At the state park the trail crosses the San Antonio River where it runs along US-183 in front of Presidio La Bahia before it winds around General Zaragora’s statue.  From the general’s statue, the trail heads to the Angel of Goliad statue.  From the Angel of Goliad, the trail finishes at the Fannin Monument.

The Angel of Goliad?   See Mission Rosario, Fannin Monument, Angel of Goliad, General Zaragoza and Presidio La Bahia (blog post).

The trail is between 2 and 2½ miles from end to end.  We have walked the trail a number of times over the years starting from the State Park.  This year I asked Linda to drop me off in Goliad so I could walk the entire trail end-to-end in a single hike.

Highlighted TPWD Map
Highlighted TPWD Map

The Hike

Goliad Trail Head
Trail Head 2 Blocks From Goliad Town Square

At the trail head there are a number of short switchbacks leading into the following trail segment.

#2 Angel of Goliad Trail
First Leg Of The Angel of Goliad Trail

Information displays are placed along the trail.

Trail Information Display
Trail Information Display

This particular display talks about annual events occurring in the Goliad area.

Goliad Area Annual Events
Goliad Area Annual Events

Next, a trail bridge crosses a deep ravine that drains into the San Antonio River.

Trail Bridge Crossing Deep Ravine
Trail Bridge Crossing Deep Ravine

Looking down into the deep ravine, water runs toward the San Antonio River.

Running Water in Deep Ravine
Running Water in Deep Ravine

A park bench awaits the weary traveler.

Park Bench Along The Trail
Park Bench Along The Trail

As the trail gets closer to the steep river banks, the trail has railings to keep hikers on the path.  At points like this, looking out over the downhill (right) side, hikers can see glimpses of the river below.

Railings Along The Trail
Railings Along The Trail

The trail runs along a road near the abandoned railroad bridge.  Just beyond the park bench is the road.

Park Bench And Information Sign
Park Bench And Information Sign

The information describes the trail’s namesake, The Angel of Goliad.

Angel of Goliad Sign
Angel of Goliad Sign

An abandoned railroad bridge crosses the San Antonio River.  The bridge approach from the shore has been removed making it nearly impossible to get on the bridge.

Abandoned Railroad Bridge Over San Antonio River
Abandoned Railroad Bridge Over San Antonio River

All of a sudden, after the railroad bridge, the river banks become much more jagged.   This marks the beginning of more switchbacks.

Slippery When Wet Sign Marks The Beginning of Swithbacks
Slippery When Wet Sign Marks The Beginning of Switchbacks

The abandoned railroad bridge is visible from the switchbacks.

Switchbacks In Front of Abandoned Railroad Bridge
Switchbacks In Front of Abandoned Railroad Bridge

The switchbacks mark the beginning of where the trail cuts across some rough country.

Jagged Trail Segment
Jagged Trail Segment

Next come the back yards.  Some of the backyards are messy.

Backyards Along The Trail
Backyards Along The Trail

At this point, the trail has turned left away from the river and toward US-183.  The river flows past one side of the park and the trail and US-183 runs past the other.

Trail Goes Left Then Right To Follow Park Boundary
Trail Goes Left Then Right To Follow Park Boundary

After the backyard trail section the trail turns right to run parallel to US-183 and the park boundary.

Trail Runs Parallel to US-183
Trail Runs Parallel to US-183

This section of trail is fairly straight and opens up quickly to reveal US-183 on the left and Mission Espiritu Santo on the right.  This section crosses through Goliad State Park and Historic Site.

Park Bench Beside Trail With Mission Espiritu Santo Behind
Park Bench Beside Trail With Mission Espiritu Santo Behind

On the other side of the park, where the river runs, the river turns back toward US-183.  First the trail turns left toward US-183.

Trail Turns Toward US-183
Trail Turns Toward US-183

At US-183, the trail follows a park road underpass.

Trail/Park Road Underpass
Trail/Park Road Underpass

The the trail goes under US-183 at the bridge approach and crosses the park road.  On the other side of US-183 and also the other side of the park road is where the trail  follows a ramp up to the level of the US-183 San Antonio River Bridge.

Trail Crosses The San Antonio River on the US-183 Bridge
Trail Crosses The San Antonio River on the US-183 Bridge

Once the trail gets up to the level of the bridge, hikers can see the trail running alongside US-183 for some distance.

Trail Section on US-183 San Antonio River Bridge
Trail Section on US-183 San Antonio River Bridge

From the recent rains, the San Antonio River is higher and muddier than usual.

San Antonio River
San Antonio River

Once across the bridge, Presidio La Bahia becomes visible on the left.

Presidio La Bahia From The Trail
Presidio La Bahia From The Trail

At this point, hikers may be tempted to turn up the street and go directly to the Presidio La Bahia but the more interesting journey comes from staying on the trail parallel to US-183 and going up the hill to Zaragoza’s statue where the trail turns left.

Zaragoza Statue Backside
Zaragoza Statue Backside

The trail winds around Zaragoza statue and past the Zaragoza birthplace.

Trail Runs By Zaragoza Birthplace
Trail Runs By Zaragoza Birthplace

Past Zaragoza’s birthplace, the trail runs along the Presidio walls.

Presidio La Bahio Walls Parallel To The Trail
Presidio La Bahio Walls Parallel To The Trail

Once above the rise in the hill, hikers should be able to see the Angel of Goliad Statue with the Fannin Monument behind it.

Angel of Goliad Statue With Fannin Monument Behind
Angel of Goliad Statue With Fannin Monument Behind

While at the Angel of Goliad Statue, look at the paving stones around the statue.  This is a favorite.

Message For AOG Descendants
Message For AOG Descendants

The trail continues past the Angel of Goliad Statue and ends across the street from the Fannin Monument.

Fannin Monument
Fannin Monument

Here the trail ends.

Hope to see you on the road ahead.

 

Add Your Comments, Questions and Observations

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.