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Womble
38 reviews
4.79 of 5
Can't believe this wasn't the first trail entered for Arkansas!
The Womble Trail stretches over 37 miles from Northfork lake to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail at Lake Ouachita. This trail is considered to be one of the best single track trails in this area. Short segments of the trail meander along bluffs of the Ouachita River providing breathtaking views. The Womble Trail is the
venue for the Womble Mountain Bike Race.
Surrounding Areas
Visitors can use the short spur trails to access three float camps located along the south shore of the Ouachita River. Rocky Shoals Float Camp (O.3-mile spur), Fulton Branch Float Camp (0.3-mile spur) and River Bluff Float Camp 1.6-mile spur). The Float Camps offer fire rings, picnic tables and vault toilets at no charge. Less than one hour to Hot Springs, Arkansas.
This single track trail provides opportunities for riders of all skill levels. There are a multitude of options for out and back rides or setting up of shuttles, or utilizing adjacent Highways and county roads for return loops.
There are several climbs that any intermediate rider will have no problem staying on the bike. Lots of undulating trail on mostly groomed single track with occasional technical sections and creek crossings. Be extra cautious near the bluff areas. It is a long fall.
Some areas are wet and muddy during rainy season. (Especially East of Highway 298 for about 3 miles).
37 miles of groomed single track, over some of the most scenic areas in the state. Travel time one way is 5-10 hours Marked with white triangles.
Local Canoe Rental operations will provide shuttles for a small fee.
Directions: There are four trailhead parking areas. Round Top Trail on Forest Road D75A, Highway 27 south of the bridge crossing Lake Ouachita, North Fork Lake and Highway298 trail intersection. The Trail is also
accessible from the three float camps and adjacent forest roads.
Summary: That guy at the bottom that made the comment "Its called mountain biking, not forest biking" is an idiot. ITS ACTUALLY called Cross country because we central us folks arent cool enough like you westies to have huge mountains, the ocean, and snow year round. Good for you. We have beautiful forest, rolling green hills, and no POLLUTION which makes for a way better experience. I was stationed in California with the marines for 4 years and missed arkansas every day. I rode alot of that crap that you guys call Downhill extreme or whatever that crap is and all it is, is a huge copout because you guys are way to lazy to do a little climbing. So if you dont like our state, stay the hell out.
Summary: The Womble is a wonderful almost immaculately maintained trail which takes a lot of effort to get to, but pays off big in the adventure. My friends and I made a weekend trip of it from Dallas and, to a man, decided we must go back. There is a healthy blend of challenging climbes and fast downhills that are long enough on both ends to get you into a rythm and keep your pulse pounding. It is an exceedinly well marked trail once you are on the ride, though getting to the trail heads from the rugged country roads can be a bit of a challenge (Don't take your Volkswagon!) Once on the trail you are rewarded by beautiful views, clif hanging decents, silence, and solitude. My friends and I were there 3 days and didn't see another single individule along the 37 miles of it. You need to be compitent rider to take on the Womble, but chances are if you enjoy the sport you'll do fine. Take it on as a challenge, or check it out as an adventure...after all, its your tax dollars hard at work.
Recommended Route: We chose to follow the advice of a fellow reviewer and took the North to South route, prefering more downhills to climbs. But don't think you're getting out of climbing by taking this route. If I had to guess I would say it was a 55/45 ratio of downhill to climbs...maybe 60/40.
We camped at one of the float camps, which had a feeder trail to the Womble. (The only trail which needed a little bit of maintenance.) It was a great free campground right next to the river.
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Summary: I consider the Womble my home trail as it passes only a few miles from my home. I ussually leave my drive way and head North on 27 and ride either direction depending on my mood. If I want a better work out I go north if I want a fun relaxing ride I go south from the village. I know this isnt the Rockies,Sierras, or the Alaska Range but it is home and I love it very much. It is a lot of fun and I would recommend that anyone that loves mountain biking giv it a try if only once. I mean if you dont like it can you think of worse ways to spend a day or two then on your bike in the beutiful Ouachita Mountains.
Recommended Route: Norfork to ORT.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Ouachita Recreation Trail, Viles Branch, Cedar Glades, Earthquake Ridge
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Summary: I have been binking for 20 years, am from Colorado and travel a ton, so I have ridden alot of places and alot of trails. There is a reason why this is an IMBA Classic ride. You can ride this either direction, I chose South to North. I started at the North Fork Trailhead and ended where the trail crosses county road 59, so I didn't complete the whole trail. One poster said pleasantly down hill in both direction: I think he meant that your going to get about the same ups and downs in either direction. There are only a few vistas for looking out over the Ozarks, but your riding...not site seeing. This is beginer to intermediate trail, but the experts will have a blast as well. Pleanty of ways out if you get done riding the trail, as no section is incredibly long. Lots of stream crossings for cooling off, rocks tree roots etc. No hill is to steep, but after 10-15 miles of riding, I would blame you if you walked a couple of them. I have good stamina, but am not fast and I completed my 19.5 miles in around 6 hours, and had plenty of daylight to finish the ride. This is a shuttle ride, or have one of the local "float" outfitters help you out. I got lucky and had a friend drop me off, then pick me up when I called him. Oh yeah, Sprint cell phone service I was on digital roam, and I didn't get any Cingular service out there. I put a 4 in difficulty, because if the trail is to easy for you, then shift and ride faster.
Recommended Route: I read all I could about this trail to figure out which is the best direction to ride. It seems both direction are fine.
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Summary: This guy below me is freaking clueless... Womble is a great trail that's not extremely technical besides some narrow bench cut sections.. its beauty, fast flowing sections, and primo single track for miles upon miles is what makes it so great.. Anyone who likes to ride and makes it to the trailhead will prove that guy below me wrong...
keep in mind Womble during hunting season is like vietnam in my opinion..
Other recommended trails in the same area: This is the one...
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