When hikers ask which trails in Arkansas are worth a full day — or several — the conversation always circles back to the same handful of routes. Below we've ranked the ten longest hiking trails in Arkansas by total mapped distance, drawing from the 2,401 trails OutsideAtlas currently tracks in the state. Each entry includes the distance, what makes the route distinctive, and an honest note on who should actually attempt it.
The Ozark and Ouachita Mountains carve north-central and west-central Arkansas into deeply wooded ridges and clear-running creeks — surprisingly rugged for its modest peak elevations. The Ozark Highlands Trail runs 165+ miles and the Ouachita Trail 223 miles, contributing most of the state's long-distance mileage. Spring wildflowers (March-May) and fall foliage (October-November) are peak; summer is hot and tick-heavy.
Our rankings here are data-driven — pulled from the 2,401 mapped entries OutsideAtlas tracks in Arkansas — but the data has limits worth being honest about. OpenStreetMap distance tags are crowd-sourced and inconsistent. A route may appear longer or shorter than the official measurement, especially when long-distance trails (like state and national scenic trails) are tagged in segments rather than as a single relation.
The Ranking
Ranked from #1 to #10. Click through any entry for the full trail page — map, elevation profile, weather forecast, and direct OpenStreetMap source link.
#1. Northeast Texas Trail
At 0.10 mi, Northeast Texas Trail tops the list — a route built for hikers who plan in days, not hours. Expect 0.10 mi on a forgiving grade. Local trail-association reports tend to agree this is one of the better-maintained options in the area, which matters more on a hike of this length than on a quick walk. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Northeast Texas Trail trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#2. Ducks Unlimited Park Loop
Ducks Unlimited Park Loop earns the #2 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect 46 ft of gain on a forgiving grade. The route is well documented in OpenStreetMap, which is what put it on our radar — community-mapped routes tend to be the ones that get hiked enough to stay open. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Ducks Unlimited Park Loop trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#3. Fayetteville Traverse (Greathouse Park Connector)
Fayetteville Traverse (Greathouse Park Connector) earns the #3 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect dirt surface on a forgiving grade. It earns its ranking on the data, but trail conditions can change quickly after storms or fire seasons, so verify before you commit a full day. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Fayetteville Traverse (Greathouse Park Connector) trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#4. Wolf River Greenway - Epping Way to Jackson Ave
Wolf River Greenway - Epping Way to Jackson Ave earns the #4 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect asphalt surface on a forgiving grade. Compared to similar trails in Arkansas, this route trades difficulty for either solitude or scenery — sometimes both. A paved surface makes this one of the more accessible options on the list — good for strollers, mobility aids, and wet-weather days. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Wolf River Greenway - Epping Way to Jackson Ave trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#5. Ouita Coal Company Mountain Bike Trail (White)
Ouita Coal Company Mountain Bike Trail (White) earns the #5 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect compacted surface on a forgiving grade. What makes this one earn its spot on the list is the combination of mapped detail and the kind of through-and-through experience that justifies a longer drive. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Ouita Coal Company Mountain Bike Trail (White) trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#6. Taylor Loop to Pinnacle Valley Connector Trail
Taylor Loop to Pinnacle Valley Connector Trail earns the #6 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect asphalt surface on a forgiving grade. Local trail-association reports tend to agree this is one of the better-maintained options in the area, which matters more on a hike of this length than on a quick walk. A paved surface makes this one of the more accessible options on the list — good for strollers, mobility aids, and wet-weather days. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Taylor Loop to Pinnacle Valley Connector Trail trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#7. Boll Weevil Foot Path and Paved Walking Trail
Boll Weevil Foot Path and Paved Walking Trail earns the #7 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect concrete surface on a forgiving grade. The route is well documented in OpenStreetMap, which is what put it on our radar — community-mapped routes tend to be the ones that get hiked enough to stay open. A paved surface makes this one of the more accessible options on the list — good for strollers, mobility aids, and wet-weather days. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Boll Weevil Foot Path and Paved Walking Trail trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#8. Butterfield Hiking Trail; Gorley King Trail
Butterfield Hiking Trail; Gorley King Trail earns the #8 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect ground surface on a forgiving grade. It earns its ranking on the data, but trail conditions can change quickly after storms or fire seasons, so verify before you commit a full day. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Butterfield Hiking Trail; Gorley King Trail trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#9. Wolf River Greenway - Kennedy Park Section
Wolf River Greenway - Kennedy Park Section earns the #9 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect asphalt surface on a forgiving grade. Compared to similar trails in Arkansas, this route trades difficulty for either solitude or scenery — sometimes both. A paved surface makes this one of the more accessible options on the list — good for strollers, mobility aids, and wet-weather days. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Wolf River Greenway - Kennedy Park Section trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#10. Markham Hill Loop / Fayetteville Traverse
Markham Hill Loop / Fayetteville Traverse earns the #10 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect ground surface on a forgiving grade. What makes this one earn its spot on the list is the combination of mapped detail and the kind of through-and-through experience that justifies a longer drive. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Markham Hill Loop / Fayetteville Traverse trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.Planning your Arkansas trip
A few pieces of context are worth keeping in mind specifically for Arkansas. Spring wildflowers (March-May) and fall foliage (October-November) are peak; summer is hot and tick-heavy. Flash floods in Ozark canyons can be sudden — check upstream weather before entering narrow drainages.
Always cross-reference the official land-manager page before driving out — closures, fire restrictions, and seasonal road access can change quickly. Our trail pages link directly back to the OpenStreetMap source so you can see the tags we're working from.
If you're new to hiking generally, our beginner's guide covers footwear, layering, and the day-pack basics. For safety planning on bigger objectives, the ten essentials guide is worth twenty minutes of reading.
More Arkansas hiking guides
If you found this useful, the rest of our Arkansas coverage continues below.
- Steepest trails in Arkansas — Hikes with the most elevation gain in the state.
- Best beginner hikes in Arkansas — Easy, well-marked trails for first-time hikers.
- Most challenging hikes in Arkansas — Expert-rated routes for experienced hikers only.
- Best national parks in Arkansas — Federal parks and recreation areas ranked.
- Best waterfall hikes in Arkansas — Trails leading to named falls, ranked by accessibility.
- Best dog-friendly hikes in Arkansas — Where leashed dogs are explicitly welcome.
- Best family hikes in Arkansas — Short, easy trails sized for kids and grandparents.
Rankings like this are starting points, not verdicts. Trail conditions change, new routes get tagged, and what was the toughest trail in Arkansas last year might not be next year. We refresh these articles when the underlying data shifts meaningfully.
Got a correction, a route we missed, or a question? Drop us a note via the contact page. We read every email and we'd rather hear it from you than miss it.
