The Trail Magic & Medicine Tour: Inaugural thru hike of the cross-state xTexas Trail begins January 1st!
For Immediate Release January 29, 2025
Excellent images and video are available for the media via this link!
Media Contact: Melissa@xtexas.org Cell (360)265-2883 (text first)
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Austin TX - This January through March 2026 Founder Charlie Gandy is making his inaugural thru hike on the first cross-state 1,500-mile xTexas (xTx) hiking, biking, and equestrian adventure trail. On January 1st he departs from the Louisiana border near the Sam Forse Collins Recreation area on Toledo Bend Reservoir.
Named the “xTx Trail Magic & Medicine” tour, Charlie’s goal is to spread the positive alchemy of what long distance trails can do for people personally as well as for communities. The media are invited to join Charlie for a mile or more to get a true taste of the trail.
>> Join us January 8th at 6:30 pm CT when the xTx team debuts the new route via Zoom!
A 5th generation Texan, former state legislature, founder of BikeTexas, and active living advocate, Charlie knows intimately the power of trails both personally and for communities. As a long time student of long distance trails, he’s seen first hand how rural communities can thrive when they embrace the magic and welcome travelers by sharing the unique experiences their communities have to offer.
After spending a year and a half mapping, ground proofing, and testing the route with the xTx leadership team, board, and volunteers by driving, hiking, biking and trail riding, Charlie will make his grand depart on January 1st.
Charlie estimates the hike will take him 75 days hiking 20-25 miles a day (and includes time off for rest and events). He’s hiking the trail during its prime season. The xTx is designed for traveling late fall through early spring. It’s a target rich, rugged, romantic adventure route across rural Texas that has been created for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians.
At present the xTx utilizes mostly quiet, rural public paved, gravel, and dirt roads, public trails, state parks (17), and both Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains national parks. The route is fluid and will continue to morph and improve.
In the future, sections of the route will navigate onto private land for greater safety and scenic beauty. Land owners along the trail have already reached out wanting to grant access for the trail, including a couple who has bought property in order to become trail angels in the Hill Country.
The trail is capturing Texan’s imagination, pride, and support. Hundreds of people have volunteered and donated to help make the trail happen, and almost 2k subscribe to the xTx email newsletter. The xTx has been featured in Gear Junkie, Dallas Morning News, Fox News, Houston Chronicle, NPR’s All Things Considered, Texas Monthly,Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Public Radio, the Texas Standard and more.
Charlie, Executive Director Beckie Irvin, Charlie’s wife and xTx Chief Storytelling Officer Melissa Balmer are available to interview via Zoom. If you’re interested in connecting with Charlie on the trail in person, email Melissa.
Learn more at xTexas.org. Follow Charlie’s adventure on Facebook and Instagram too.
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