Review: Rode the Womble this past weekend from HWY 27 TH near Fisherman's Village to North Fork Lake. Hit the gravel road from there to the Gaston Rd climb back up to the Womble singletrack crossing.I had to throw this part in because of how demoralized I was at last year's Ouachita Challenge at this point. Rode singletrack from there to the 298 parking lot. Nearly 40 miles total. This trail can be accessed from several spots for good rides in either direction. HWY 27 Fisherman's Village to North Fork Lake (roughly 25 miles) is a very nice ride for an intermediate level as long as you are aware of the few big climbs along the way. Your biggest climb of the day will start almost immediately from the HWY 27 TH on Womble Rd. The climb is worth it. The scenic bluffs that most people talk of are right here. The ride will mellow out from there all the way to the 298 parking lot (12 miles in). If it is hot you should have water staged here. Your second big climb will come just a few miles past the 298 lot. This is Mauldin Mountain. You will know when you're there because of the sign. And no, you were not hallucinating just a few miles back. That cactus you saw was real. Again, the views at the top are great. Lots of sprawling farms in the valley below. Enjoy the downhill side, you earned it. You'll cross a dirt road on the downhill side of Mauldin and know that your 3rd big climb is close. I call this Gaston Mtn but that's only because the road nearby has the same name. After descending Gaston Mtn you will soon cross Gaston Mtn Rd (20 miles in). This is another great place to stage water. From Gaston Mtn Rd you're thinking it should be all downhill from there to the lake. Not quite. There is a deceiving upslope to the trail here. It may just be because the last few climbs are still fresh in your mind and legs. But after about a mile or two, you will notice the trail begins to tip down. This a great section to enjoy. Lots of flow. Soon you'll be at North Fork Lake. You can either set up a shuttle from here, make it an out and back and turn around for double the pleasure (the climb out of North Fork is a good one but Gaston and Mauldin seem easier on the way back. and after the climb back up the bluffs at the river, home to fisherman's village is icing on the cake), or ride the road back to Fisherman's Village.

If you choose the road back, it's very easy to navigate. Take the one road out of North Fork Lake. Make a right at the T. This is North Fork Lake Rd. This road will merge into South Fork Lake Rd and will also transition from gravel to blacktop. South Fork Lake Rd will take you all the way to Mt. Ida and directly to HWY 27. You've got 6 miles left to the village with a total of 14 traveled on road.

Similar Trail: Ouachita Trail

Review: When IMBA declares any trail an 'EPIC', your certain to find as much adventure & challenge as you can stand. Womble, to be fully appreciated, should be ridden in it's entirety. It is also part of another Arkansas 'must-do', the Ouachita Challenge. Google it & add it to your list.

Similar Trail: I rated it blue, but there are some sections that would classify as black.

Review: Loved this trail! One of my favorite IMBA Epics. I rode it all in one day in 95 degree heat and I was shot when finished. Loved the flow on the lower half and the climbs on the upper half. Just a great must ride. If you have a list it should be on it.

Review: This trail's a blast. Long climbs and fun descents. Did about 25 miles of it starting at the Fisherman's village. If you don't like riding cliffs, start at a different spot. From this location, mile 2 to mile 5 is on a bench cut trail that can be a little "iffy." Dry county so bring in your brews.

* Review edited 3/6/2012

Review: 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

Review: 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

Review: 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.

Review: 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!

Review: 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

Review: 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

Review: 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

Review: 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