Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Just enough challenge
Beautiful scenery worth climbs on Hobbs trail
If the Bashore Ridge Loop is the bunny slope for mountain bikers at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, the War Eagle Valley Loop is the next step up.
The park staff recommends Bashore loop for first time bikers or hikers. The four-mile route meanders gradually downhill, then climbs at a grade that isn’t too difficult. War Eagle Valley Loop is a longer trek, about six miles, with a couple of lung-buster climbs along the way.
Both are part of the park’s Hidden Diversity Multiuse Trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Four loops offer 23 miles of trail through the back country at the 12,000-acre park in east Benton County.
Riders tackling the War Eagle Valley Loop see nice views of the War Eagle River. The trail meanders through lowlands and along high ridges. Tree and flower types vary with the different elevations. Don’t get too carried away scoping out the scenery or you might end up falling on your noggin. A minor spill drew blood the last time we pedaled the War Eagle Valley Loop.
Carnage, the kids call it. Cuts and scrapes are sort of red badges of courage to the mountain biking set.
We circled the loop on a sunny Sunday morning a few weeks back. Ours was the only vehicle in the spacious gravel lot at the Townsend Ridge Road trail access where the ride starts.
First step is to sign the register. The park staff tells us it’s important to register, in part, to obtain funding for trail improvements. The rosters are hard numbers that show the amount of use when trail money is requested.
Plus, if they have to go looking for you, it gives searchers a clue if you’ve come out or not. There’s a restroom and water fountain at the access.
From the lot, the path curves and dips a short way to a crossing of Townsend Ridge Road. The War Eagle Valley Loop starts just across the road.
The ride starts down, then up until the path travels along a ridge, guiding riders to bluffs above the War Eagle River. A couple of benches are set up above the water, which are good spots for a water break.
A zig when we should have zagged sent us falling face down on to the gravel and bedrock. A bloody knee was the only harm. More evidence that wearing padded cycling gloves and a helmet is wise.
After the river, the forest is so thick little sunlight peeks through. Years ago when the trail first opened, this was open ground that’s now been overtaken by saplings and underbrush. Stay alert for a steep and curving descent into a creek bottom.
The air is moist and vegetation lush in this woody
Carnage, the kids call it. Cuts and scrapes are sort of red badges of courage to the mountain biking set.
— Flip Puthoff
hollow. Fallen logs along the path make great seats for a picnic lunch half-way through the ride or hike. You’ll need the energy for a wheezer of a climb out of the valley. Walking your bike is in order here. Hard-core riders may savor the ascent.
Pedaling the loop is just a nice bike ride though the woods. More gradual climbing brings riders to a T intersection marked with signs. Go left and ride another mile or so to the next intersection and sign. Turn right to cross Townsend Ridge Road again. Go across and ride back to the parking lot.
It’s a scenic ride, a challenging and peaceful ride. We didn’t see another person the entire six miles this pretty morning. Solitude is another plus for a ride around the War Eagle Valley Loop.
Flip Putthoff can be reached at fputthoff@nwadg.com or on Twitter @NWAFlip