Arkansas: Home to More IMBA Epics than Any Other State!

Arkansas's Ozark and Ouachita mountains protect true wilderness and miles and miles of epic singletrack!

Mountain Biking Moderate, Difficult, Severe

Description

For years, IMBA’s list of “Epic” rides has inspired mountain bikers from around the world to pack their bags and travel to a far-flung locale to pedal a long, gnarly, challenging backcountry trail that was almost guaranteed to change your life. IMBA describes their epics as "immersive rides that are technically and physically challenging, beautiful to behold and worthy of celebration.” These trails are so worthy of celebration that many mountain bikers have set a lifelong goal of completing all of the rides on IMBA’s list of Epics.

That goal could prove challenging, as the list continues to change over time. New trails are added almost every year due to the crowd-sourced nomination process, and occasionally old trails are removed. But the trails that remain are always worthy of exploration!

While many states—or even countries—can only claim to have a single Epic Ride, the state of Arkansas is home to five designated epics—the most out of any state in the country! If you’ve never ridden in Arkansas before, you might find yourself a bit shocked by this revelation… but if you’ve had the opportunity to venture deep into the Ozark and Ouachita mountains, you know that Arkansas is home to plenty of true wilderness and epic singletrack!

Plan your visit to Arkansas around this list of IMBA’s five Epic Rides!

Source: IMBA.com

Routes included

Upper Buffalo Headwaters

A wild, remote IMBA Epic trail system in the Ozark Mountains.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 28 km
Ascent: 795 m
Descent: 795 m

Womble Trail

The Womble Trail is an IMBA Epic Trail that offers 37 miles of steep, rocky climbs; narrow trails cut into the mountainside with intimidating drop-offs; and fun, flowy descents.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 60 km
Ascent: 1.4 km
Descent: 1.4 km

Syllamo: Scrappy Mountain Trail

The most technical trail in the Syllamo Trail system, with a long, fast descent at the start.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 19 km
Ascent: 485 m
Descent: 486 m

Syllamo: Bald Scrappy Trail

A flowy trail through the Ozark Mountain forest with lots of short climbs.

Difficult Mountain Biking

Distance: 11 km
Ascent: 312 m
Descent: 312 m

Syllamo: White River Bluff Trail

This short lollipop trail is a snapshot of the entire Syllamo Trail System, with some easy, rolling pine tree-lined sections, rocky trail, and bluffs with views.

Difficult Mountain Biking