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Devil's Backbone, Hill Country, Texas
Photo: Nicolas Henderson · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

Drives Texas Austin, San Antonio and the Hill Country

Devil's Backbone

RM 12, RM 32 · Wimberley → RM 32 at FM 3424

Leisurely10.5 mi15 min700 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,300 ftOne way
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The drive

The Devil's Backbone is a limestone ridge on the Comal and Hays county line, part of the Balcones Escarpment, and Ranch Road 32 runs right along its spine. This short drive leaves Wimberley heading south on Ranch Road 12, then turns west onto Ranch Road 32 and climbs onto the ridge.

Up top there are views across the Blanco and Guadalupe river valleys and hills of live oak and Ashe juniper. The ridge rises to 1,274 feet at a roadside park on Ranch Road 32, the natural place to stop. The drive ends where Ranch Road 32 meets FM 3424; the road carries on toward Blanco, but it's much straighter from there.

Along the way

  1. Wimberley (RR 12 south)
  2. RM 32 at FM 3424
Elevation
700 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,300 ft
WimberleyRM 32 at FM 3424
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
WimberleyRM 32 at FM 3424
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The roadside park on the ridge is the place to stop for the view; it's on Ranch Road 32 near the top.
  • The drive ends at FM 3424; Ranch Road 32 carries on west toward Blanco and US 281 on a much straighter line.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check DriveTexas.

Questions about this drive

How long is the Devil's Backbone drive?

The Devil's Backbone drive, from Wimberley by Ranch Road 12 and Ranch Road 32 to FM 3424, is 10.5 miles and takes about 15 minutes.

Where is the Devil's Backbone in Texas?

The Devil's Backbone is a ridge on the Comal and Hays county line, about 13 miles north of New Braunfels, followed by Ranch Road 32 west of Wimberley.

How high is the Devil's Backbone?

The Devil's Backbone ridge rises to 1,274 feet at a roadside park on Ranch Road 32.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Devil's Backbone, from Wimberley to RM 32 at FM 3424