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Hard Hiking Trails in Arkansas

The directory currently contains 12 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Arkansas. Their average mapped distance is 89.4 km and average recorded ascent is 1,178 m (3,865 ft); the longest route in the set is 369 km.

This subset represents 33% of the 36 quality-checked routes in Arkansas. Its average distance is 89.4 km, compared with 31.6 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 1,178 m (3,865 ft), versus 429 m (1,407 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

This set contains routes rated hard or expert from their available distance and elevation measurements. Within this set, 0 routes (0%) are rated easy, 12 (100%) are rated hard or expert, and 3 (25%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.

Data refreshed September 2026

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

36.1 km

North Sylamore Creek Trail

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

658 m

North Sylamore Creek Trail

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

1 recorded loop

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.

Trails

Expert

Ouachita National Recreation Trail

Arkansas · United States

Distance
350 km
/ 218 mi
Elevation gain
3,637 m
Typical duration
88 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Life on the Buffalo River
Expert

Buffalo River Trail

Arkansas · United States

Distance
67.1 km
/ 41.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,443 m
Typical duration
17 hr
  • River
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Ozark Highlands Trail

Arkansas · United States

Distance
369 km
/ 229 mi
Elevation gain
3,095 m
Typical duration
92 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Eagle Rock Loop

Arkansas · United States

Distance
42.3 km
/ 26.3 mi
Elevation gain
1,058 m
Typical duration
11 hr
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Expert

North Sylamore Creek Trail

Arkansas · United States

Distance
36.1 km
/ 22.4 mi
Elevation gain
658 m
Typical duration
9 hr 8 min
  • River
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Bend in the Buffalo River from an overlook on the Buffalo River Trail near Steel Creek
Expert

Buffalo River Trail

Arkansas · United States

Distance
57.4 km
/ 35.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,190 m
Typical duration
15 hr
  • River
  • Mountain
Hard

Butterfield Hiking Trail

Arkansas · United States

Distance
23.7 km
/ 14.7 mi
Elevation gain
555 m
Typical duration
6 hr 2 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Sunset Trail

Arkansas · United States

Distance
15.0 km
/ 9.3 mi
Elevation gain
594 m
Typical duration
4 hr 1 min
Expert

Ozarks Keystone Trail

Arkansas · United States

Distance
50.8 km
/ 31.6 mi
Elevation gain
502 m
Typical duration
12 hr
  • Mountain
Hard

River Corridor Trail

Arkansas · United States

Distance
19.1 km
/ 11.9 mi
Elevation gain
421 m
Typical duration
4 hr 44 min
  • River

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Ouachita National Recreation TrailArkansas350 km3,637 m88 hrExpertApril to October
Buffalo River TrailArkansas67.1 km1,443 m17 hrExpertApril to October
Ozark Highlands TrailArkansas369 km3,095 m92 hrExpertApril to October
Eagle Rock LoopArkansas42.3 km1,058 m11 hrExpertApril to October
North Sylamore Creek TrailArkansas36.1 km658 m9 hr 8 minExpertApril to October
Buffalo River TrailArkansas57.4 km1,190 m15 hrExpertApril to October
Butterfield Hiking TrailArkansas23.7 km555 m6 hr 2 minHardApril to October
Sunset TrailArkansas15.0 km594 m4 hr 1 minHardApril to October
Ozarks Keystone TrailArkansas50.8 km502 m12 hrExpertApril to October
White Rock - Shores Lake LoopArkansas19.2 km670 m5 hr 8 minHardApril to October

Ouachita National Recreation Trail, Buffalo River Trail, Ozark Highlands Trail currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Plan with more confidence

All planning articles →

Choosing a route

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.

Read article →

Understanding the map

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.

Read article →

Planning your day

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.

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