It is spring, the sun is out more often than not and it is time to plan your ride on one of the best in the nation—Pig Trail!
The warmer weather is here and bringing the beautiful foliage with it. This ride is 19 miles long and features caverns, Withrow Springs state park along with the Mulberry river. One of the many perks of this ride in the geographical diversity.
On your way, check out Eureka Springs, a motorcycle-friendly town, which sits just on top of the trail. You will love the care-free environment and the quirky locals you will meet. There are always events going on and with special biker rates offered on lodging, you may find you simply need to stay a night or two. Hang out for a game of pool and enjoy a few drinks.
If you find the Pig Trail has simply inspired you, check out these other rides around the Ozarks. Nature here is incomparable and the people are open and friendly. Stop in at the local Harley-Davidson on the Pig Trail to hear more about the rides this area offers.
and into world-famous Branson; then further east and south into Arkansas. There, along the banks of Bull Shoals Lake, bikes will board Peel Ferry that runs during daylight hours the year-round and is the only existing ferry that plies any Arkansas river or lake. Serpentine highways wind past Bull Shoals southward to U.S. Highways 412 and 62 leading riders back to Eureka Springs. This ride is approximately a 200 mile / 5 hour sojourn.
loop is the little historical community of Lurton that sits along the old wagon trail that was known as the Chisum (sic) Turnpike. On either side coming down or going back up toward Eureka Springs, riders will be “passin’ thru” Western Grove; Mt. Judea (pronounced “Judy”); Ponca and its herds of grazing elk; and Howe Hollow valley. Total round trip is 177 miles or approximately four hours of travel time.
times out at one hour and 16 minutes with 54 miles being logged to and fro Eureka Springs. “What makes this short loop so awesome,” said one rider, “is that it leaves plenty of time to eat, shop or just relax in the rustic charm of the mill itself.” War Eagle Mill is one of America’s last operating undershot, burrstone gristmills that sits over War Eagle Creek. Here riders can watch product being made, taste some that has been baked up in the mill’s Bean Palace restaurant, take plenty of product home or have it shipped. The loop also takes riders in, around and through Hobbs State Park and Conservation Area, 12 thousand acres of pristine Arkansas woodlands.
over amazing vistas like the Bluebird Hill Overlook. As this loop continues along its 269-mile and six-hour route, it takes riders through the Buffalo River National Park and a chance to watch grazing elk near Boxley and Lost Valley. An eagle could be spotted overhead as riders near Kingston and the “Arkansas Grand Canyon”.
with great views of the water. Riders have perhaps a once in a lifetime experience as they encounter one of the true treasures of the Southern road. The historic Beaver Bridge, best known as the “Little Golden Gate of Arkansas”, was built in 1949, is 554 feet long but only 11 feet wide thereby only allowing one way at a time traffic. This is quite a large return for a ride that is only 26 miles and 44 minutes.
across the 1930’s iron truss Pruitt Bridge. Two stops during the 150-mile/four-hour ride could be the Elk Education Center in Ponca and the Ozark Café on the town square in Jasper.
This ride is as challenging as it is scenic. Switchback after switchback between hairpin turns makes this ride a “must do” event when riding in Northwest Arkansas. The Designated Scenic Highway portion of Arkansas Highway 23 is truly breathtaking. Stops in Withrow State Park and alongside the Mulberry River allow riders to catch their breath and relax in beautiful, natural surroundings. Many riders say that this loop is the best seven hours and 280 miles of their riding lives.