Expert
Arkansas · United States
- Distance
- 42.3 km / 26.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,058 m
- Typical duration
- 11 hr
- Mountain
- Forest
Loop Trails in Arkansas
The directory currently contains 12 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Arkansas. Their average mapped distance is 8.8 km and average recorded ascent is 229 m (751 ft); the longest route in the set is 42.3 km.
This subset represents 33% of the 36 quality-checked routes in Arkansas. Its average distance is 8.8 km, compared with 31.6 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 229 m (751 ft), versus 429 m (1,407 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.
Every route in this set is classified as a loop and returns to its starting area. A loop can still reuse part of the same path. Within this set, 5 routes (42%) are rated easy, 3 (25%) are rated hard or expert, and 12 (100%) 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
0.5 km
Habitats TrailCompare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.
Lowest recorded ascent in this sample
0 m
Craighead Forest Lake Loop6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.
Return logistics
6 recorded loops
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
Moderate
Arkansas · United States
- Distance
- 2.6 km / 1.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 126 m
- Typical duration
- 44 min
- Mountain
Hard
Arkansas · United States
- Distance
- 23.7 km / 14.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 555 m
- Typical duration
- 6 hr 2 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Arkansas · United States
- Distance
- 3.8 km / 2.4 mi
- Typical duration
- 48 min
- Lake
- Forest
Hard
Arkansas · United States
- Distance
- 19.2 km / 11.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 670 m
- Typical duration
- 5 hr 8 min
- Lake
Easy
Moderate
Arkansas · United States
- Distance
- 2.8 km / 1.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 82 m
- Typical duration
- 43 min
- River
- Panoramic viewpoint
Easy
Arkansas · United States
- Distance
- 0.8 km / 0.5 mi
- Typical duration
- 10 min
- Mountain
Easy
Moderate
Arkansas · United States
- Distance
- 1.1 km / 0.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 45 m
- Typical duration
- 18 min
- River
Moderate
Arkansas · United States
- Distance
- 6.4 km / 4.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 210 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 39 min
Easy
The shortlist, side by side
The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time | Difficulty | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Rock LoopArkansas | 42.3 km | 1,058 m | 11 hr | Expert | April to October |
| Hot Springs Mountain TrailArkansas | 2.6 km | 126 m | 44 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Butterfield Hiking TrailArkansas | 23.7 km | 555 m | 6 hr 2 min | Hard | April to October |
| Craighead Forest Lake LoopArkansas | 3.8 km | 0 m | 48 min | Easy | April to October |
| White Rock - Shores Lake LoopArkansas | 19.2 km | 670 m | 5 hr 8 min | Hard | April to October |
| Habitats TrailArkansas | 0.5 km | 0 m | 6 min | Easy | April to October |
| Overlook TrailArkansas | 2.8 km | 82 m | 43 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Nubbin Ridge Nature TrailArkansas | 0.8 km | 0 m | 10 min | Easy | April to October |
| Holloway TrailArkansas | 1.7 km | 0 m | 21 min | Easy | April to October |
| Big Creek LoopArkansas | 1.1 km | 45 m | 18 min | Moderate | April to October |
Eagle Rock Loop, Butterfield Hiking Trail, Hot Springs Mountain 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.
Read article →Related guides
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