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How it works
Your first hike, in three steps.
You don’t need special gear, experience, or a group. Here’s the short path to your first hike on the trails of Northwest Arkansas.
1
Learn the basics
What to expect, what to bring, and some basic trail etiquette so your first hike feels easy, not intimidating.
Getting Started
2
Know where to park
Trailhead parking ranges from small gravel pull-offs to full paved lots. We’ll show you exactly where to park.
Where to Park
3
Pick your route
Filter every hiking route by distance and difficulty to find one that fits your preferences perfectly.
Find a RouteTwo cities, and counting
Hiking trails across Northwest Arkansas, one area at a time.
Hike NWA got its start in Bella Vista, so we’re beginning in our hometown and working outward across Northwest Arkansas. Each city page groups its trails by system, so you can see what’s close to you before you drive anywhere.
Bella Vista
More than 120 miles of multi-use trails surrounded by beautiful trees and limestone bluffs.
Bella Vista trails
Bentonville
More than 75 miles of trail across six systems, from flat paved greenways to hand-cut single-track.
Bentonville trails
Trail systems 101
Not sure what “Slaughter Pen” or “Back 40” are? Start here. We explain the trail systems in NWA.
How trail systems workComing soon: Rogers · Springdale · Fayetteville · Eureka Springs · Hobbs State Park · Devil's Den · Siloam Springs
One short hike at a time
The beginner’s guide to hiking Northwest Arkansas
52 short hikes—all under three miles—take you from your first easy walk on pavement all the way to our most challenging trails, introducing you to nearly every trailhead we map along the way. Start where you’re comfortable, check off hikes as you finish them, and move up when it feels easy.
Go at your own pace—one hike a week finishes the guide in a year, two a week in six months, three a week in about four months.
Hike with others
You don’t have to hike alone.
Some of the best hikes happen when you hike with others. Northwest Arkansas has a warm, welcoming community of hikers, from nervous first-timers to folks who know every trail, and they’d love to have you along. Come find them, or take it a step further and lead a hike yourself—we will teach you everything you need to know.
Community hikes
Hike NWA brings people together regularly for organized community hikes in Bella Vista, open to every pace and experience level. Show up, say hi, and hit the trail together.
Find a Community Hike
Bella Vista Walks & Hikes
Our friendly private Facebook group is the easiest place to start hiking regularly with a group. Hike leaders post recurring organized group hikes—no experience required.
Ask to join our private Facebook group
Lead a Hike
We’ll teach you to lead, help you get familiar with the routes, and promote the hike so others can join you on the trail. Leading not only helps others get out and hike, it helps you keep hiking regularly.
How to lead a hike