Level: Intermediate
Length: 10 mi (16.1 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +394/437 ft
Total: 159 riders
Mountain Biking Cedar Glades Trail
#16 of 165 mountain bike trails in Arkansas
#730 in the world
Newest member of the Ouachita area trails. It was built by Hot Springs Bicycle Assoc. after Water Works trails was closed due to the terrorist attack on 9/11. The trail is very wel maintained and manicured by the HSBA so it is always a pleasure to ride. The trail itself is very smooth not really rocky or technical of a trail but still a lot of fun to ride. There is only one big climb here with swtichbacks that get you almost to the top. One thing I can say about the trail is that it has one of the fastest downhills around, its one of the things i look forward to when i get a chance to go over there. The rest of the trail meanders in and out of coves and small valleys with some tight areas of twists and turns along the way. A couple of small creek crossings and some nice open areas to get up some speed. There can be a few muddy spots after a rain but the HSBA is building some boardwalks over these areas. If you are in teh Hot Springs area take the time to ride this trail as I know you will be glad you did. (initially submitted by Kenny Davis)
First added by nbouse on Jun 16, 2007. Last updated May 9, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Take Central Ave (Hwy 7) north through Downtown Hot Springs. Once you have passed all the bath houses keep an eye out to your left for Whittington Ave and turn onto Whittington. Take the first street to your right (should be Cedar St) and follow until you come to a 4-way stop and the bear right onto Cliff St which will turn into Cedar Glades Road. The Trailhead will be on your right about 2 miles down the road.
Extremely bad trail marking paired with misleading marketing signs (for Northwoods) makes for a frustrating experience to say the least. If each segment were marked properly this trail would be amazingl. Hopefully changes will be made sooner rather than later.
| ThankVery hard to navigate. Too many unmarked intersections. A few fun downhills, but overall a very forgettable trail.
| ThankWith all the awesome trails in Arkansas, was shocked to see this one as the 3rd most popular, so decided to leave a review to try to remedy that.
It is a really fun trail. Well maintained with some fun downhills and a skills section to play on. I will say that I had some problems following the easier trail....I took my son who is just starting to ride trails and wanted him to start with that one. But overall a great experience.
| ThankMarvelous trail for an intermediate rider. Many thanks to the crew who built & maintain it.
| ThankReally enjoy this trail. I rode the blue trail while passing through . It was well maintain. They had came out and rake the leaves in the corners. Had a park ranger AJ who sent me in the right direction. But over all a great time! Wish I had more time to ride more. Definitely going have to make another trip where I have more time.
| ThankGreat trails for a great workout. Not sure I would classify the *black* as such, but enjoyed riding them. It took us a bit to get going on the right trails. Would love to see some improvement on maps. Overall, a great place. Hope to return.
| ThankBeautiful trail nothing scary at all!! Definitely need endurance because there are a lot uphill climbs but nothing too steep, which surprised me. Incredibly rocky so my recommendation is to have good suspension and don't forget your cushioned shorts like I did ????.
| ThankTrail is always a fun ride. Always looking for people to ride with as I ride alone most of the time but Cedar glades is great fun. I have rode all the trails out here starting from both trail heads.
| ThankGreat spot right outside of Hotspring AR. Great trail for the whole family.
| ThankExcellent trail. Well maintained and a fun ride. Nothing technical, just a great flow.
| ThankClose to Hot Springs. Good trails, good flow. Some climbing, but not bad.
| ThankGot a bit lost at the north TH, trying to find the trail around the parking lot.
Mostly beginner skills needed.
Highly recommended.
Fun trail with a lot of twists and turns. Easy access from Hot Springs. We didn't find the big climb everyone talks about but the trail we rode had very manageable climbs and descents. Didn't see a map anywhere so we were a little confused at some of the intersections. The skills course at the trailhead was a fun addition to the ride.
| ThankFirst time here and it was beyond epic. Lots of burns and turns will be going back very soon. This is a must ride trail.
| ThankLots of flow, fast and fun.
| ThankGreat trail close to town. Beginner, intermediate and expert loops for 12 miles of riding. Beautiful trails with several bridges, switchbacks and creek crossings. Fun downhill sections and one good climb (200 feet plus). Not too technical but enough roots and rocks to hold your attention. Additionally, there are wooden features near the parking area to play on.
| ThankI don't like a lot gnarl, maybe I'm too old, but this was a fun track with some fast downhills and good climbs. Find the main trailhead and enjoy the pumptrack and other features in the park.
| ThankGreat little trail system. Fun downhills with a few tough climbs.
| ThankThis is my second ride on this trail...it just keeps getting better!! We waited 40 minutes for the rain to stop so we could ride it (we drove up from doing the Womble). You're probably thinking..."What, you'll leave ruts." Not this trail. Of course we checked the firmness before we headed out. What an awesome ride! Although it was wet, I'd have to say we rarely slipped on this trail.
Will do the 5 hour drive from Fort Worth to ride this again!
| ThankTrail was built by Barry Murrah not HSBA. Love the trail I helped build as well.
| ThankA group of five of us rode the blue trail and the green trail on Memorial Day. Four of us ride fairly often, but none of us are expert riders. The fifth hasn't ridden a bike in years. He rode on my old GT Avalanche. All in all, we had a blast. Both loops have enough variety that the more experienced of us could bomb it downhill and the newbie could take it easy and note feel like he was going to die. Both loops are relatively easy, but have enough difficulty in them to provide you with a sense of satisfaction when you've finished. If you are in the area, this trail is a can't miss.
On another note, I rode the black trail a couple of months back and it was just as much fun, and pretty similar to the blue loop. You can ride all three trails fairly easily in a day, but you will want to ride them all more than once.
| Thank