Nestled within the confines of Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Little Rock, Arkansas, lies a mountain biking experience unlike any other in the central part of the state. Opened in October 2010 and rated as an intermediate/advanced trail, the Pinnacle Mountain Bike Trail offers a unique, rocky, and technically challenging experience for bikers. With a 7-mile, point-to-point layout, this route is certainly not for the faint of heart.
To reach the starting point of this adventure:
Expect a rocky trail punctuated by technical twists and tight turns. Throughout your journey, you'll encounter a multitude of cool, specially-designed bridges. Climbers are in for a treat with short yet arduous ascents that test the limits of strength and technique. On the flip side, the trail offers steep descents that are equally challenging.
The ride is not meant for beginners; it requires a full-suspension bike with good pressure settings and low gearing to truly enjoy. Intermediate riders seem to find a good balance between challenge and entertainment on this trail. The rocky nature of the trail allows little room for speed, making it a slow track overall. If your aim is to work on strength and endurance, this trail will not disappoint. However, if it's speed and fun you're looking for, you might want to head over to Burns Park instead.
This trail has polarized riders. Some find it exhilarating, praising its well-thought-out design and declaring it a must-ride. Others are less enthusiastic, describing the trail as "miserable" and complaining about a lack of flow. The latter riders often cite an absence of features like berms, rollers, jumps, or drops.
As of July 2014, the trail had some maintenance issues like fallen trees and ground covered in pine straw, affecting visibility. Be prepared for such conditions until further notice.
Pinnacle Mountain Bike Trail is a technical marvel that exploits the challenging Arkansas landscape to offer a one-of-a-kind mountain biking experience. However, it's crucial to align your expectations with what the trail offers—this is a track for those who revel in technical skills and strength training rather than speed. With adequate preparation and the right mindset, this trail offers an enriching, albeit demanding, experience.