1,500-mile xTx trail: pioneer completes first Texas crossing for hikers, cyclists and horses

Charlie Gandy is closing in on a cross-Texas milestone few imagined possible: the completion of the newly mapped Cross-Texas Trail, known as the xTx. At 67, the Texan who plotted the route himself is walking the final miles westward toward El Paso, accompanied by two fellow hikers, after tracing roughly 1,500 miles from the state’s eastern edge to its far western border.

What began as a personal challenge has evolved into an organized route aimed at hikers, bicyclepackers and horseback riders alike. Launched as a formal project in August 2024, the xTx is designed for travel during the cooler months—late fall through early spring—when Texas heat and scarce water are less of a hazard.

Why the xTx matters: a new long-distance trail across Texas

The xTx isn’t just a long walk; it’s an attempt to create a signature cross-state route in the spirit of the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails. Charlie Gandy invested his own money—about $10,000—to develop the trail’s core infrastructure and publicity, and he recruited partners to turn a personal vision into a public resource. Now, with thousands of miles of stories and logistics behind him, he’s poised to be the first person to walk the entire corridor.

The trail’s purpose and timing are deliberate. By positioning the route for seasonal travel, its creators make the pathway safer and more practical for a wide range of travelers—from multi-week thru-hikers to weekend equestrians and long-distance cyclists.

How the route was planned and supported

Building a cross-state route through Texas meant solving problems beyond wayfinding: raising awareness, securing private land access, setting up logistical support points, and producing reliable maps and guides. Gandy worked with sponsors and the nonprofit Bike Texas to create an organizational backbone that could provide both digital navigation and printed materials.

Key elements that made the xTx possible

• Local collaboration: Landowners, small towns and volunteers offered input and, in many cases, permission to route the trail across private parcels.
• Water and safety logistics: Supporters organized water caches and resupply points for stretches that run through desert and sparsely inhabited areas.
• Mapping and navigation tools: The trail is tracked publicly via platforms like Ride with GPS so hikers can follow Gandy’s progress and plan their own trips.
• Publicity and outreach: The project invested in printed guides and online resources to establish the xTx as a known destination.

Who can use the xTx and when to go

The xTx is planned as a multi-use corridor. It’s intended for:

• Long-distance hikers looking for a new challenge in Texas
• Bicyclepackers seeking varied terrain across paved, gravel and dirt roads
• Horseback riders who want a seasonal route through rural landscapes

By design, the trail runs seasonally when temperatures are manageable and water sources are more reliable. That seasonal window—from late fall through early spring—reduces the harsh risks that come with Texas summers.

Trail logistics: private land, water stations and community buy-in

A major logistical reality in Texas is that roughly 96% of the state is privately owned. That meant securing permissions and cultivating goodwill were central to the project’s success. Gandy and partners found eager supporters in many corners of the state—residents who wanted the route to pass near or through their properties and communities that saw the trail as an outdoor tourism opportunity.

Setting up water stations and resupply points was another critical challenge. Organizers and volunteers positioned caches and coordinated with local supporters to make longer desert stretches safer. Those efforts help make the xTx accessible to a broader group of adventurers who rely on reliable logistics to attempt multi-week treks.

What the full 1,500-mile route looks like

The xTx weaves across a wide variety of Texas landscapes, linking public roads, gravel tracks and remote backcountry stretches. Highlights of the corridor include:

• Start near Beaumont on the state’s eastern border, where bayous and wetlands give way to coastal plain terrain
• A corridor that passes north of Houston’s hills and threads between the Austin and San Antonio regions
• A loop that detours near New Braunfels before the route moves into drier country
• Desert stretches that lead to the stunning muleback curves and canyons of Big Bend National Park
• A final push northward to the Guadalupe Mountains and then west into El Paso where the trail reaches its terminus

Many sections of the xTx travel near or through public lands—about 17 state parks and 3 national parks touch the current itinerary—offering dramatic scenery and natural variety along the route.

How to track Gandy and plan your own trip

Gandy’s current journey has largely followed the working route he and his team developed. Hikers and supporters can follow his progress online: Ride with GPS hosts the trail mapping and provides turn-by-turn navigation for those considering their own crossings. The project’s materials include guides intended to help prospective thru-hikers, bikepackers and equestrians prepare for distance, water resupply and seasonal timing.

If you’re thinking about attempting portions of the route, consider:

• Traveling in the recommended seasonal window to avoid summer heat
• Checking published waypoints and water cache locations
• Reaching out to local volunteer groups or landowners for the latest access notes

Where the xTx could go from here

The Cross-Texas Trail is still in its early years and will likely evolve as more people walk, ride and ride-share feedback about the corridor. Like other famous long-distance trails, it will take time, community input and ongoing stewardship to reach its full potential as a national-level destination for long-distance outdoor recreation.

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Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson is an experienced journalist covering U.S. and global news. With ten years on the front lines, he breaks down political and economic stories that matter. His precise writing and keen attention to detail help you grasp the real‑world impact of every event.