Bentonville, Arkansas, has a legitimate claim as the mountain-biking capital of the world. Even if you think other world-class destinations deserve the top spot, there’s no doubt that this once-sleepy Arkansas town is now a bucket-list destination for mountain bikers from around the world.
The city’s transformation has come in large part thanks to the Walton Family Foundation, which has invested heavily in the region. Today, Bentonville offers a seemingly endless assortment of trails, with plans to add even more over the next decade. Overwhelmed by the sheer number of options? Here are a few spots you should not miss.
Back 40
Located in the nearby town of Bella Vista is this expansive single-track system. One of the region’s first trail developments, the Back 40 attracts riders of various skill levels with dozens of miles of rolling trails.
The Back 40’s most well-known attraction, the Back 40 Loop, is an intermediate trail that stretches for more than 22 miles and is accessible from the Blowing Springs parking lot. Not ready to tackle such a long ride? The Back 40 contains a multitude of crisscrossing trails, allowing riders to design the route that’s suitable for them.
Standout options include the rocky, technically challenging the Ledges; the root-heavy, technically challenging Boom Diggity; and faster trails like Flo Ride and Go Ride. While the Back 40 makes it easy to get into a flow, riders should be careful when making road crossings, as cars may not stop. In addition, riders should control their speed and be mindful of the hikers and runners who also use the trail.
Coler Mountain Bike Preserve
You could easily spend your whole trip to Bentonville at Coler Mountain. With an on-site campground, there’s nothing stopping you from going ahead and doing just that. Located near downtown Bentonville on land purchased by the Walton Family Foundation, the preserve—known for its wide variety of trails, features, and terrain—is a playground for mountain bikers.
Expert riders will enjoy the double-black-diamond Here’s Johnny, Rock Solid, and Drop the Hammer, the latter of which boasts features like a 12-foot drop. There are also black-diamond, blue, and green trails, among them the kid-friendly Family Flow. A paved path cuts through the middle of the preserve, making Coler’s various segments easy to access.
Because of Coler’s wide range of trails, riders should be mindful of where they are so as to avoid ending up on a route that’s beyond their skill level. Regardless of whether you’re an expert or a newbie, all riders should check out the Airship, a coffee shop located in the middle of the park that’s accessible only to bikers and pedestrians.
Handcut Hollow
Much of Bentonville’s trails are machine-built. Not so at the aptly named Handcut Hollow. One of the area’s newest trail networks, Handcut Hollow stands out by offering miles upon miles of (mostly) hand-cut trails.
Looking for a place to start? Check out Traverse Loop, which over eight miles provides a great introduction to everything Handcut Hollow has to offer. Mother Necessity, meanwhile, takes riders up to the network’s trail hub. Riders can alternatively reach the hub via Zone 4, a climbing trail so difficult that not even professionals can complete it without demounting.
Despite its name, Handcut Hollow does contain some machine-built trails, among them Interplanet Janet, a blue-rated jump trail that includes some technical sections amid a fun, flowing design. Altogether, Handcut Hollow comprises 23 miles of trails, making it a great alternative to more popular areas like Coler and Slaughter Pen.
Little Sugar
Accessible from Bentonville via the Razorback Greenway, Little Sugar is a nearly 50-mile trail network in nearby Bella Vista. Like its neighbor, the Back 40, Little Sugar has an intermediate-rated main loop that cuts through residential neighborhoods and surrounds a varied collection of trails.
Little Sugar is the bigger of the two networks, and its trails are also two-way, as opposed to the Back 40’s single-track. While the Back 40 is known for its flow, the punchier, steeper terrain makes riding at Little Sugar more taxing. If you’re feeling up to the challenge, see if you can tackle Tunnel Vision, the 25-mile main loop, in one day.
Before departing Little Sugar, riders should make sure to explore Huntley Gravity Zone. A collection of trails located away from the main loop in the middle of the network, it’s the most popular section of Little Sugar. Along with fun, flowing riding, there’s also a berm and a jump trail, the latter of which, Shock and Awe, is a great place to practice intermediate-level jumps and drops.
Slaughter Pen
Bentonville’s oldest trail network has also remained its most popular, in large part thanks to the overwhelming variety of riding available here. From breezy cross-country routes to expert-level jump trails, Slaughter Pen has something for every type and level of mountain biker.
Located near downtown Bentonville, Slaughter Pen is remarkably easy to access, even without a car. The upper trails tend to attract cross-country riders, while the lower ones are heavy on features. Slaughter Pen Freeride Park, for instance, offers big jumps and tabletops for experienced riders along with entry-level jumping for those who are just getting comfortable going airborne.
Regardless of experience level, all riders should take time out to enjoy the All-American Trail. Slaughter Pen’s signature route, the green-level trail offers bridges, rollers, and other features that will be entertaining even for advanced riders.