Arkansas Mountain Bike Trails
Here is a look at a few of the hiking and biking trails available across the state:
Womble Trail
Named an Epic Route by IMBA, International Mountain Bicycling Association.
Known as one of the top single-track hiking and biking trails in the nation, this trail offers views of the bluffs along the Ouachita River. Located 7 miles Northeast of Mt. Ida, this route takes the rider 37 miles from Northfork Lake to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail point to point. In some spots, the trail follows ridge tops and bluffs above the Ouachita River and Lake Ouachita that offer pristine scenic views. The trail hosts moderate to difficult terrain and is home to the Ouachita Challenge.
The trail is accessible from four trailhead parking areas: Round Top Trail on Forest Road D75A, Hwy. 27 south of Lake Ouachita, Northfork Lake, and Hwy. 298. Helpful number: Womble Ranger District: 870- 867-2101.
Named and Epic Route by IMBA, International Mountain Bicycling Association.
Traversing through the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, the Syllamo Trail is 50 miles of single-track marked by five color-coded loops whose terrain vary in difficulty. A favorite among Arkansas mountain bike trails, the trail provides options for all day rides or shorter tours and beginner to advanced terrain.
The shortest loop, the White River Bluff Loop, is marked in green and is 4.5 miles round trip. The Bald Scrappy Loop is marked by green blazes and is 7.3 miles of beginner friendly terrain mixed with intermediate sections. The 12-mile Scrappy Mountain Loop is marked in blue and offers switchbacks up and down steep mountainous slopes and three creek crossings. The yellow coded Jack's Branch Loop adds 14 miles of new trail and is a continuous loop that offers riders 2 different routes to access Blanchard Springs Recreation Area. Bad Branch Loop is marked in red and is very beginner friendly. It provides riders nearly 13 miles of single track.
Expect a two-and-a-half hour drive from Little Rock. Located north of Mountain View with trailheads along Ark. 5. Maps can be obtained by contacting the Sylamore Ranger District at 870- 269-3228 or Blanchard Springs Caverns at 1-888-757-2246.
When completed, The Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) will include around 40 miles of hiking and biking trails along the shores of Lake Ouachita. The trail is a joint effort of many groups in the area to link the resorts and campgrounds around Lake Ouachita together via a trail system. The trail meanders through the Ouachita National Forest with spurs providing lake vistas and a more challenging ride up to the top of Hickory Nut Mountain for a view of the lake. Four phases of the trail are now complete. The five trailheads (which include Denby Bay Trailhead, Homestead Trailhead, Shangri La Trailhead, Joplin Trailhead and Hickory Nut Trailhead link the 20-mile route that is currently open. The LOViT Trail is sanctioned by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA).
Due to an extensive network, there are Arkansas mountain bike trails for every skill level here. This wooded trail system lies in the North Little Rock Army National Guard Base and is maintained by the Little Rock based riding club, the Central Arkansas Recreational Pedalers (CARP). The network offers 35 miles of single-track hiking and biking trails and elevation ranges from 350' in the northwest part of system to 600' in the upper sections. To ride the trails, bikers must be CARP members. You can buy cards (which cost $10/year) at local bike shops or purchase them online at www.carpclub.com. The trail system is constantly being expanded so it is a good idea to check the Web site for the latest updates as well.
Devil's Den State Park offers a blend of double track and single track Arkansas mountain bike trails that wind through the scenic Ozark Mountains. The park hosts two major mountain bike events each year: the Ozark Mountain Bike Festival, which is usually the first weekend in April, and the Northwest Mountain Bike Championships, usually held two weeks after Labor Day.
A 27-mile trek through the park consists of two groups of trails, Fossil Flats and Cross Country. Fossil Flats has three loops: Outlaw (3 miles), Sawmill ( 4 miles) and Racer’s Hill ( 5 miles and recommended for experienced riders only). The Cross Country trail is a 15-mile route that can be ridden as a 7 or 8-mile loop.
Location: The park is located eight miles south of Fayetteville on I-530, then 18 miles southwest on Hwy 170 or seven miles west of I-540 at Winslow.
The Bench Trail is a fairly level route encircling the side of 1,350-foot Mount Nebo. This is an excellent ride for your family's first mountain biking adventure. As you ride through the mixed hardwood and pine forest, you'll pass historic springs and Fern Lake, and see rockwork done by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s. The 4-mile route begins at the overlook shelter that you'll see as you drive up the mountain to the park. There is a narrow shelf called a bench that encircles the entire mountain. In the early 1900s, this bench featured a road. Today the bench is a trail route through woods that teem with large trees and wildlife. Fern Lake, remnants of historic springs, and steps that were part of this early resort development are still visible. The trail is level in most places and offers views from the mountain, especially during seasons from late fall through early spring. Bring your own bike or rent one from the park visitor center. Campgrounds and cabins are also available at Mount Nebo State Park.
Location: From I-40, take Highway 7 south through Russellville to Dardanelle; turn right onto Highway 22 west, then left on Highway 155 west up the mountain.
Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail
Arkansas's highest mountain at 2,753-feet, Mount Magazine is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. For mountain bikers, the Huckleberry Mountain Trail is a challenging 34-mile trek down the mountain and into the adjacent Ozark National Forest. This multi-use route is used by equestrians, ORVs and backpackers. From the horse camp down to the highway, this old wagon road drops 200 feet. The trail's three loops cross over creeks and connect Mount Magazine with nearby Huckleberry Mountain. For a detailed map, pick up the Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail brochure at the park visitor center. Camping is allowed on the portions of the trail on national forest lands.
Location: On Scenic Highway 309, 17 miles south of Paris.
Located at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area near Beaver Lake, this curvy trail is designated for hikers, bikers and equestrians. The 21-mile route has moderate to difficult terrain and winds around ridge tops and rims and features hills with 200 ft to 300 ft. descents. Located: Ten miles east of Rogers on Hwy. 12.
Village Creek State Park features five well-marked hiking and biking trails: the 4.5 mile entrance which includes part of the Lake Dunn Hiking Trail; the easy 6.5 mile South Ridge Trail with sweeping views of Delta farmland; the 6-mile moderated Center Ridge Trail; the 4-mile moderate Beech Valley Trail, which passes Lake Dunn and Crowley’s Ridge; and the moderate 4.6 mile Deer Run Trail.
Rolling hills and lake views are the highlights of this easy to moderate 9.5-mile loop that is open to mountain bikers and hikers. A trail map is available at the White Oak Lake State Park visitor center.
This 15.5 mile hiking and mountain biking trail traverses gentle terrain along the lake and crosses three suspension bridges. The surprisingly hilly loop trail challenges riders of all levels. It includes a 2.5-mile multi-use trail for shorter adventures. Location: From Star City, travel 5 miles east on Hwy. 293 to Cane Creek State Park.
Some additional Arkansas mountain bike trails include Cedar Glades (a 9.5-mile single-track trail is located in Hot Springs), Earthquake Ridge Trails near Mena, Slaughter Pen Trail (a ten mile route in Bentonville) and Ben Geren Trail near Fort Smith.