xTexas Cross-State Adventure Trail Map is Now Available on FarOut!
For Immediate Release May 6, 2026
xTexas Cross-State Adventure Trail Map is Now Available on FarOut!
From: Melissa Balmer Melissa@xtexas.org Cell (360)265-2883 (please text first)
Images + video content can be found HERE. FarOut images can be found HERE.
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(Austin Texas) The xTexas Cross-State Trail makes its debut on FarOut, the number one navigation app for the best long-distance trails in the world. The xTexas Trail Association is honored to have the less than two-year old route included on this prestigious app for passionate thru hikers, cyclists, and other trail users.
The 1,504.6 miles long xTexas Trail (nicknamed the xTx) can be found on the FarOut website here: https://going-farout.co/xtexas-trail-map. The map retails for $19.99 and shares points of interest along the route such as water, shelter, and food resources.
“The xTexas Trail is exactly the kind of ambitious, long-distance adventure FarOut was built for,” says FarOut COO Alice Bodnar. “The just over 1,500-mile self-supported route through remote Texas terrain demands reliable, detailed navigation, and that's what we deliver. We're very strong believers in carrying paper maps. But GPS navigation with detailed waypoint information adds a valuable layer of safety on top of that, especially on a remote, self-supported route like the xTx. We're very excited to be part of the xTx story from the very beginning.”
Launched as an idea in June of 2024 and modeled on the Appalachian Trail, the xTexas Trail will take years to bring to its fullest potential. In its beginning phase the xTx route is woven together from rural public paved, gravel, dirt roads and single track, and travels near or through sections of 17 state parks and the Sam Houston National Forest, Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks.
xTx founder Charlie Gandy shares:
“This xTx is the most rugged, rural, romantic, target rich trail through true Texas I could dream up. Currently, the xTx is a tough, character building pilgrimage offering raw rural insights.
Inspired by the value created in the Pacific Crest and Appalachian trails, I saw clearly the opportunity to share the real Texas experience by developing a long-distance adventure trail through the heart of the state. We branded it the xTx.”
About the xTx Trail
For thru hiking the xTx is meant to be traveled seasonally from late fall through early spring due to heat and water considerations. The xTx begins near the Texas/Louisiana border on the south end of Toledo Bend reservoir. It travels through the heart of rural Texas, and includes bayous and piney forests, the most remote part of the Hill Country, the Big Bend region, the Chihuahuan desert, the Davis Mountains, Guadalupe Mountains, and the Franklin Mountains before ending in El Paso on the New Mexico border.
The xTexas Trail Project was dreamed up by fifth generation Texan Charlie Gandy while he was hiking California’s Tahoe Rim in June of 2024. Frustrated by the amount of snow he was encountering, Gandy realized his home state of Texas didn’t have a cross-state trail yet and would be perfect to hike in late fall and early spring when other popular long distance trails are challenged by cold weather conditions.
Gandy completed his full inaugural thru hike of the xTx with two friends on March 29, 2026. xTx trail friend and supporter Rhea Wallace bike packed the entire route in 2025.
Texans are already showing tremendous support for the xTx. The project already has 4,138 Instagram followers, 2,100k+ email subscribers, 500+ Facebook followers, 150+ people have volunteered their time, talent, and treasure, and it’s been featured in 40+ media stories including CNN’s 5 Good Things podcast, the Good News Network, NPR’s All Things Considered, and the Texas Monthly and Texas Public Radio.
In its current iteration the xTx is recommended for seasoned hikers and cyclists who are knowledgeable about self-supported adventure travel only. We are working on developing horse friendly corridors. Learn more at xTexas.org.
About FarOut
FarOut is a navigation app for long-distance hiking, biking, paddling, and whitewater rafting. The app covers 250+ of the world's most iconic routes, from thru-hikes and bikepacking routes to river trips and scenic touring journeys. Unlike crowdsourced platforms, FarOut develops its data in partnership with over 40 trail organizations and publishers, producing curated, ground-truthed guides built specifically for each route. Every guide pairs detailed maps and GPS navigation with waypoint information and route-specific content, helping people explore farther, safer, and with greater confidence. Learn more at https://app.faroutguides.com/guides
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