singletracks is mountain biking
Sign In | Create Your Account | Site Map | Help  

 

Womble Mountain Bike Trail

Mt. Ida/hot Springs, Arkansas

MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating: 8 trail reviews
Status: Open
updated 9/30/08 by
Difficulty: Advanced bike trail Advanced
Length: 37 miles Global Rank: #56
Tread: Singletrack Configuration: Out & Back
Ridden: 52 Wishlist: 49
Avg. Speed: 6.21 mphAvg. Time: 5hr 19min
Elevation Gain/Loss:
+4,060/-4,352 ft
(based on partial GPS data)
IMBA Epic Trail
 
Mountain Bike Trails in the Womble Trail System
 
Directions: To view directions to Womble mountain bike trail, please login. If you don't have an account, sign up now: it's free, only takes a minute, and gives you access to tons of other rad features.

Description: A 37-mile singletrack that rolls east-west along an Arka** mountain ridge, following the course of the Ouachita River. The trail begins at one North Fork Lake and ends at Lake Ouachita. It pa** through the thick hardwoods and dark pines of the Ouachita National Forest, opening occasionally to spectacular bluffs above the river. This is rolling terrain - ranging between 1,000 and 1,600 feet in elevation - but it all adds up. 5-10 hours of riding and 6,000 feet of climbing. It crosses roads at regular intervals, giving new riders an opportunity to bail out if the trail proves too much for them. Considered an IMBA Epic. The Womble is complete, marked with white triangles, milage markers, and signs. It is shared hikers.
added on July 29, 2005 by dauw
Map   Videos   Photos  

SIMILAR TRAILS

Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:
 
Cedar Glades Trail in Hot Springs
 

TRAIL REVIEWS   review this trail


  
reviewed by ldcullen on August 9, 2011

This was a extremely unique trail. I loved every minute from "Fisherman's Village" to the 270/298 trailhead and back. The only caution I would give is that near the top of the climb near "Fisherman's Village" there is about a 200 foot drop. Some fensing and warning signs should be put up here for obvious reasons.

Similar Trail: Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, AL


  
reviewed by delphinide on June 12, 2011

Twice I have ridden this trail and twice it has shown me who is boss. 40 miles of fun but long sloping climbs and fast swoopy downhills. It is a gem in the heart of Arkansas and worth every penny to go out of your way to ride it. I agree with others: similar to the Pinhoti in GA (also awesome) without being quite as remote as the Pinhoti. A great workout. Thanks to my friend Jeremy G who not only rides this back and forth, but who works on the trail with local groups to maintain it. This is best ridden as a shuttle; several locals are willing to charge you...if you think you can do the entire thing, park your car at the end and get someone to drop you off at the start. FYI, this trail is murder in July and August.

Similar Trail: Pinhoti


  
reviewed by bikecowboy on May 15, 2011

I rode from the trailhead off of Hwy 27. My GPS called it "Womble Rd". Even for the little bit of the trail I experienced I could see why this is an IMBA epic. Looks like it used to be quite a place. A little rundown now but the trail was great. Started out with a moderately difficult climb which brought me up to a stunning cliff view overlooking the Quachita river. Then the trail became a narrow fun bench cut trail that flowed just below the ridge top with lots more great views. I didn't have the time to ride as far as I would like but I will return for sure.

Similar Trail: Pinhoti Trail in Ga.


  
reviewed by jefmtbkr on April 5, 2011

Started at the North Fork Lake trailhead. Hands down the toughest trail I have ever ridden. One of the most beautifull too. Starts with wooded singletrak with two creek crossings. After that you start a mile long technical assent. Pushed the bike up several of the very steep sections. Bench cut trail is very narrow. 6" in a lot of places. If you slip off you will fall down the hill for a while. Very tough to get bike and body back up to trail. Watched a race and tour this last weekend there and some of the racers looks like they took some serious off trail excusions! After the mile long climb the trail leveled out a bit and was still very technical but wider and more rideable. Great mountain top views at several places. Rode the first two sections for a total of 6 miles each way. The tail was easier on the way back because you get to descend the brutal long climp at the start . Felt like I rode 30. Amazing trail that kicked my ass!


  
reviewed by goirish67 on December 4, 2009

Entered the trail from an access near the river in Mt. Ida and did an out-n-back to the Fishing Village, so about 29 miles round trip. Not too technical, although the bench cut and damp, leaf and shale covered trail was a bit hairy. Some challenging climbs and descents since the leaves covered any obstacles and we were riding blind. Spectacular views above the river and a nice ride down to the village. Riding back up from the village was quite a lung-burner. Overall, everything we expected from this "Epic Ride", and a highly recommended adventure.

* Review edited 12/4/2009


  
reviewed by indamtnsbj on September 8, 2009

Nice flowing singletrack for 30+ miles. The designers of this trail did a great job on the grading, and there are few steep hills on the whole route. I did the trail from North fork Lake (south end) heading in a NE direction. The trail seemed to constantly go down hilll from this direction. The drop down to the fishing village at 25 miles was great, and would have been a beast to climb. Overall, very little technical portions with mostly hardpacked trail, with some loose portions. Overall a great all day ride with smooth singletrack that goes on and on. stop by fishing village and go to the store for a shuttle. They charged $45 to drop off of the south end. It is easy to end back at fishing village or continue to the end and get picked back up. Dry county area so pack it in..

Similar Trail: Raccoon Mtn, chattanooga


  
reviewed by bmariani2 on May 25, 2009

This is an epic trail with something for everyone. This is all single track with moderate climbing and descending. Many bench trails that are cut into sides of hills. I really enjoyed the constant change in scenery and you will not be discouraged by a constant struggle that has no end in sight. There are numerous bailouts if you need them and camp grounds dispersed along the river which the trail follows for several miles.

Similar Trail: The Vista Trail


  
reviewed by guest on September 30, 2008

Rode here when I lived in LA. This was a very awesome singletrack by all means, and the scenery is just awesome. Some really nice rolling hills. Something for everyone here.

* Review edited 9/30/2008

TRAIL TAGS

imba epic  

MTB Trail Dashboard

Tags (comma separated)

cancel

Widget Code
copy and paste this code onto your website.
Horizontal Vertical Trail Name


 

Guidebooks

 





Site Map | Advertise | Partners | Contact Us | Terms | Privacy
Campground Reviews | Hiking Trails | Trail Running | Skiing / Snow Sports | Mountain Biking
Copyright 2012 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | Atlanta, GA
singletracks.com is yet another slick Review App
 
time: 0.045949220657349 seconds