Attractions and places to see around Westway feature a landscape characterized by diverse trails, ancient rock formations, and historical sites. This region offers opportunities to explore natural caves and follow routes along the Rio Grande. Visitors can discover a mix of natural beauty and historical remnants within its mountainous terrain.
Last updated: October 1, 2026
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The caves are pretty cool, and you can even scramble up above them and hop onto other trails in the park. There are sweeping views back behind you the entire climb up.
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The El Paso Tin Mines Trail is pretty easy to follow and gets a lot of attention in the park. The Mines, themselves, are cool structures, and you can actually go caving inside of them if you want. A real flashlight or headlamp works better than a phone light if you decide to go inside.
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Anthony Gap rises up to a little under 5,000 feet and is the furthest north high point in Franklin Mountains State Park. Anthony Gap Cave is just to the east of the pass, and the main trail continues south before joining some other park trails that circumnavigate the range.
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Cool off in the Aztec Cave, the main highlight of the Aztec Cave trail. The most widely-accepted theory about the cave's formation is that it is a result of massive air pockets in ancient lava. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Rio Grande Valley from this point.
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The Mundy's Gap Trail is popular among hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers alike. The moderate and steady uphill trek is favorable for birdwatching, and affords explorers a closer look at the ancient rock formations that make up the Franklin Mountains. September through May is considered to be the optimal season for hiking in this area, as summers tend to be very hot and dry.
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Quite loose with grape seed sized gravel that my 2.2’s sunk right into. Not a fast trail for me. Many babyheads that gave a few pedal strikes. Plenty of thorny bits so tubeless is advised.
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The abandoned mining structure is a unique destination for a pleasant and relatively easy hike. For a more claustrophobic hiker, the site is wonderful to experience from the outside, as it is a relic of Texas's rich tin mining history of the early 1900s. For those seeking a deeper journey, the entrance of the mine remains accessible, and exploring the inside is allowed. Headlamps and flashlights are recommended for visibility.
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Westway is known for its diverse natural landscape. You can visit Aztec Cave, believed to have formed from massive air pockets in ancient lava, offering spectacular panoramic views of the Rio Grande Valley. The region also features the ancient rock formations of the Franklin Mountains, which you can get a closer look at via the Mundy's Gap Trail.
Yes, you can explore the Tin Mines, an abandoned mining structure that serves as a relic of Texas's rich tin mining history from the early 1900s. Visitors can experience the site from the outside or, with proper lighting, explore the accessible entrance of the mine.
The Westway area offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking on trails like Mundy's Gap Trail. For cycling, the Rio Grande Trail is a multi-use route built on a historic railroad, with sections of paved or packed gravel. You can find more specific routes for mountain biking, easy hikes, and road cycling in the dedicated guides for MTB Trails around Westway, Easy hikes around Westway, and Road Cycling Routes around Westway.
Yes, Westway offers several easy walking trails. The Aztec Cave Trail is an easy option, and you can find other easy routes like the Lower Sunset Loop and Pat O'Rourke Memorial Hike and Bike Trail in the Easy hikes around Westway guide.
For hiking and other outdoor activities, the optimal season to visit Westway is generally from September through May. Summers in this area tend to be very hot and dry, which can make longer treks less comfortable.
Absolutely. The Aztec Cave offers spectacular panoramic views of the Rio Grande Valley. Additionally, the Mundy's Gap Trail provides excellent viewpoints of the ancient rock formations of the Franklin Mountains.
Visitors particularly enjoy the unique experience of exploring the Aztec Cave and the sweeping views it offers. The Tin Mines are also appreciated for their historical significance and the opportunity to explore an abandoned structure. The extensive trail networks, such as the Rio Grande Trail, are popular for their multi-use nature and scenic routes.
Yes, for those seeking a challenge, the Cardiac Hill Hike & Bike Trail offers a decent amount of vertical gain for a quick workout. For mountain bikers, there are difficult routes available, such as the 'Small wooden bridge – Lazy Cow Trail loop' and 'Mountainbike loop from Northwestern/Hoover' listed in the MTB Trails around Westway guide.
Visiting attractions like Aztec Cave or the Tin Mines can range from a quick stop to a few hours, depending on how much you explore the surrounding trails. For trails like Mundy's Gap Trail, a moderate and steady uphill trek, you should allocate a few hours for the full experience.
Yes, there are various loop trails available. For mountain biking, you can find options like the 'Mountainbike loop from Lost Dog Nature Preserve' and 'Top of Babyhead loop' in the MTB Trails around Westway guide. For easy hikes, the 'Lower Sunset Loop' and 'Upper Sunset and Tom Mays Trail Loop' are good choices, detailed in the Easy hikes around Westway guide.


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