Lake Leatherwood Gravity Trail Project has seven, shuttle-supported, feature-packed downhill runs of around 1 mile each, and they are heavy on the black diamonds.

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Description

Lake Leatherwood Gravity Trail Project (LLGTP), located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, isn’t on your way to any other major destination in the state; however, this remote, totally-rad trail system makes it well-worth the drive.

As if these super rad trails aren’t incentive enough to make the drive, how about it having the only shuttle-supported downhill trails in the three-state area? The state of Arkansas is raising the bar with each new trail being constructed in the Natural State, but LLGTP will always remain in the “must ride” category.

Aaron Rogers of Rock Solid Trail Contractors pegged the fun meter with this set of downhill, adrenalin pumping runs.

With one green, two blues, three black diamonds, and one double black diamond, these aren't the same mountain bike trails your daddy rode.

Almost all of the features have ride-arounds, but some of the ride-arounds will challenge many cyclists.

For those riders possessing the skillset, these trails will be more fun than going to an amusement park.

There are also two picturesque rock temple hubs constructed high atop mountain peaks for the south runs (1-3) and the north (4-7), designed with the sole purpose of obtaining warp speed with the first pedal stroke on your downhill adventure.

Your LLGTP fun begins at the shuttle pickup station located at Lake Leatherwood Park, which will drop mountain bikers off just a short ride from the two stone temple hubs. For those old-school hardcore riders that think a shuttle is cheating (you know the ones I’m talking about), you can jump on Miners Rock Loop Trail (MRLT) to reach the hubs, because this is the only trail in the network that isn’t directional, one-way down. I recommend riding MRLT counterclockwise.

This trail offers up some nice smooth singletrack that gradually routes cyclists up the mountainside.

At some time during your visit, you might even choose to take MRLT downhill.

This makes for a sweet, flowy descent populated with a few rollers.

MRLT and DH 6, a green, make for great warmup runs before tackling the more technical runs. Upon reaching the mountaintop, MRLT drops cyclists off at the entrance to the north hub, where DH 4 through 7 launch.

It also links cyclists to the Hub Trail, which is a connector to the south hub, for DH 1 through 3.

DH 1 itself starts off with earthen banked turns and rollers before reaching the massive gap jump-up, which is quickly followed by a second one.

These jumps have ride-arounds, but there are some pretty technical rock slab descents further down the trail that everyone has to ride. Even if you aren't into big air and technical features, you are going to love riding these trails.

They are carved into the beautiful rolling hillsides and surrounded by dense scenic forest.

While you’re in the area, you can also ride the adjoining bike trail that loops around Lake Leatherwood.

And of course, you can’t pass up this opportunity for a visit, or two or three, to the colorful eclectic city of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.