With hundreds of hiking trails, it’s easy to discover the beauty of Arkansas. Whether it’s warm or cold, Spring or Fall, it’s always a good time to hike and see the nature that Arkansas has to offer.  We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite hiking trails for some great outdoor adventures.  Lace up your hiking boots, pack a backpack with snacks and water and head out!

Whitaker Point Trail (Hawksbill Crag)

Located in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest near Ponca, this trail boasts one of the most stunning viewpoints of Whitaker Creek and the vast valley below.  The trail gets its name from the rock formation outcrop that overlooks the bluff resembling a hawk’s beak.  The 1.5 mile to the (3 miles out-and-back) is rated as moderately challenging. 

Cedar Falls Trail

This trail begins behind the Mather’s Lodge in Petit Jean State Park on Petit Jean Mountain.  This winding trail is 1.9 mile out and back and features one of the tallest waterfalls in the state at 95 foot high.  The trail has a moderate/strenuous rating as the hike to waterfall is downhill and mostly uphill coming back. Once you’re finished, enjoy a delicious lunch at Mather’s Lodge with views of the park. 

Sugarloaf Mountain Summit Trail

Take the Sugar Loaf Shuttle from Fairfield Bay Marina to hike one of the only trails that is accessible by boat.  The Sugarloaf Mountain Summit Trail is about a 0.8 mile out and back hike with steep inclines.  At the top of mountain, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of Greers Ferry Lake.  Although the shortest hike on this list, the rocky terrain make this one of the more difficult hikes.   

Pinnacle Mountain West Summit Trail

Located just west of Little Rock, this trail begins in Pinnacle Mountain State Park.   This 1.4 mile out and back trail is very rocky and is considered strenuous but the viewpoint at the top is worth the trek.  From the summit, you’ll experience stunning sights of Lake Maumelle, the Arkansas River Valley, the Ouachita Mountains, and West Little Rock.

CenterPoint to Goat Trail

Located in the heart of the Ponca Wilderness, the CenterPoint to Goat Trail is one of the most popular trails in the Buffalo River Valley Area.  This is the longest hiking trail on our list at 5.9 miles out and back and is considered challenging.  The Goat Trail is a narrow ledge that leads out onto the Big Bluff that overlooks the Buffalo River and Ozark Mountains that surround it.