The Trail
Nearest Town with Accommodations: Eureka Springs
Location: From Eureka Springs take Hwy. 62 west for about 5 miles. Turn right onto road 204 watch for the signs to Lake Leatherwood.
Type: Single track / loops.
Distance: About 18 miles doing all loops.
Summary: This system of trails run all long and around Lake Leatherwood and it can be a little confussing at first especially if you do not have a map, so we encourge you to take a map with you before going. The trails were built and are maintained by the Ozark Off-Road Cyclists Club and I must say they have done a splendid job. These are some of the most enjoyable trails in the area. Starting at the Fuller Trail and taking it around to the old dam is a really nice scenic route with great views of the lake. The trail is not to rugged until after you crossover the dam and get on the Beacham Trail. This section of trail can really be rough and has a some pretty technical spots especially as you get closer to the south end of the lake. The climbing on the Fuller and Beacham Trails is not bad and most of the trail has a really nice flow to it. If you are looking for some trail with some climbing try the Dam Overlook Loop, this is a really nice trail and has some really great rewards like a great view of the lake and some really fun down hill. I think the best trail out there is Miner's Rock Loop, most of the trail is made up of well packed soil and the flow of the trail is really nice. The real jewel of Miner's Rock is the downhill heading back toward the lake, this is so much fun it should be illegal. There are not many technical spots on Miner's Rock and the climbs are not real steep but some are sustained at times. Most of this loop is all in the beautiful and scenic woods around the lake with some really neat rock formations to gander over. Leatherwood Trail to me was not as exciting as the other trails but it is not all that bad and worth the trip across it to get to Miner's Rock. As long as you are out on the Leatherwood Trail you might as well do a lap on the Twin Knobbs Loops. These loops are really quit fun to ride on and have some really nice downhills on them as you head toward the ball fields. There is some climbing involoved on the Twin Knobbs Loops which will give you a good workout. Over all if you are in the area or even with in an hours drive of the area, then take a little detour and check these trails out, we are sure you won't be sorry. The trails are great, the views and scenic beauty are specctacular and the town of Eureka Springs is a real treat to spend some time in.
Recommended Route: Starting at the Lake, head down Beacham Trail going North (the old dirt road) and then head up the Dam Overlook Loop and then around on Beacham Trail and across the dam upto Twin Knobbs over to Leatherwood Trail and take that to Miner's Rock Loop and back to the lake.
When to ride: Anytime is a good time on these trails they are always well maintained.
Rating: There are trails out there for almost everyone, the trick is finding the ones that are right for you. For the most part just about all beginners can do these trails, there maybe a few sections where they may have to walk the bike. Intermediate and advanced riders are going to love this place. I have seen novice riders on these trails before so even they might find it to there liking.
Other recommended trails in the area: Fossil Flats, Hidden Diversity Trail