New to the San Antonio area (hiking)

[sammeow]

There are many great hiking areas around SA. Most within 2 hrs or less of driving.
I have been to many, Garner State Park to the west, Enchanted Rock, Perdanalas Falls to the north.
Bastrop to the northeast.
Head 2 hours southeast to Corpus and walk along the beach.
Or just go downtown and do the Riverwalk or big city park.

[Glockster]

It would be a bit of a drive but inside of your 5 hour window, but I spend a lot of time hiking in Sam Houston Natl Forest -- including the Lone Star Hiking Trail which also runs through the adjacent Huntsville State Park. Hiking trails, horse trails, multi-use areas, boat launches, camping (primative, campsite, RV areas), fishing, hunting, designated birding areas...if you can't do it there, you probably shouldn't be doing it!

Great place. You might even see a Bigfoot.

I spend a lot of time in the Wilderness Area...and I have to tell you that it's pretty desolate deep in there, plus I have access to all the Forest Service roads. So I go where I may not see or hear anyone all day, and where few folks go....and when it starts to get dark back in there you can just about imagine running into whatever hairy beast has been reported. Mostly though I keep my eyes open and ears listening to make sure that I don't stumble upon illegal activities. I always carry there, even when I'm loaded down with my day pack and tools.

Illegal activities lol. Where I'm from that means moonshine!!

I haven't come across that...yet. If you google Sam Houston you can find some interesting thing...pot farms with illegals working them for the drug cartel...the every once in awhile body. Little things. But when I was a Trail Ranger for another state I found a spot where someone was...(carefully considering forum rules)...observing women jogging the trails, and ah...having himself a real good time. And also found a place where obvious drug use was taking place. And another time did find a small plot of pot. I keep a high situational awareness as between all that and critters you never quite know what you will find.

[Glockster]

There are many great hiking areas around SA. Most within 2 hrs or less of driving.
I have been to many, Garner State Park to the west, Enchanted Rock, Perdanalas Falls to the north.
Bastrop to the northeast.
Head 2 hours southeast to Corpus and walk along the beach.
Or just go downtown and do the Riverwalk or big city park.

Enchanted Rock was an amazing place in the middle of amazing places, liked Bastrop area a lot and need to explore there some more. And went south of Corpus to South Padre and to the NWA just north. That is one fantastic thing about Texas in that there are many interesting places like that to go.