Dripping Springs sits on the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country, west of Austin, where the flat blackland prairie gives way to limestone hills, live oaks and cedar. The name comes from the springs that seep from a ledge nearby, and the town proudly calls itself the gateway to the Hill Country. It is also, by its own declaration, the Wedding Capital of Texas, thanks to the number of ranches and barns in the surrounding hills that host ceremonies, so you will often see a bride or two on a weekend.
The countryside here is built on the Edwards Plateau, a thick layer of limestone that has been carved by water into hills, valleys, caves and springs. The water that percolates through the rock emerges in clear creeks and swimming holes, and a few kilometres to the north, Hamilton Pool, a collapsed grotto with a waterfall and a pale green pool, is a famous spot. The rock also makes for good soil for vines, and the highway west toward Fredericksburg is lined with wineries and distilleries, as well as a famous barbecue restaurant at Driftwood, a few miles south.
Riding here is a pleasure. The roads through the hills, such as Ranch Road 12 and the back routes toward Wimberley, are well surfaced and winding, with gentle gradients and long views across the ridges. Cedar and oak crowd the verges, and low-water crossings can flood quickly after heavy rain, so avoid them in wet weather. Spring is the best season, when bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush cover the roadsides, and autumn is mild and clear. Summer is hot, with temperatures in the thirties for weeks on end, and the best time to ride is early morning.
Fuel and food are plentiful in Dripping Springs, which has stations on the main highway, along with cafes, bakeries and Tex-Mex restaurants. Bee Cave and Austin lie to the east, with everything you could want. Expect traffic on weekends, especially on Highway 290, where visitors head to the wine country. Watch for deer and armadillos at dusk, and for cattle on the open ranges. A cold drink and a plate of brisket in the shade of an oak tree are the right way to end a ride here.