Starting just west of Fayetteville and from the Lake Wedington Recreation Area – our ‘Shake the Sugartree’ route features almost 50 miles of mostly gravel roads that run along the western ridgelines of the Ozark Mountains and through long forgotten communities once the center of a rich grain and livestock region.
The route begins with several stretches of fast rolling gravel snaking across the Illinois River Valley and skirting farmlands common in rural areas of the region. Twenty miles in sees the days main gravel climb – a short pedal up to the rolling ridgelines and rewarding views found on Sugartree Mountain.
The town of Lincoln, Arkansas offers midride relief (mile 30) - where cyclists can find a variety of options to refuel like the American Drive-In, a nostalgic stop serving up double cheeseburgers and friendly service since 1958.
Back on route, longer sections of rolling pavement lead cyclists back into the river valley. After a final gravel jaunt through the farmlands, one last peppery climb returns riders back to Lake Wedington. With under 2500 feet in elevation, most avid cyclists will find our ‘Shake the Sugartree’ route to be Moderate in difficulty, likely leaving plenty in the tank for the next adventure.
Where to Park
Located just 12 miles west of Interstate 49 in Fayetteville, the Lake Wedington Recreation Area features several public parking options including paved trailhead parking right along Hwy 16. In addition to being a hub for area gravel experiences, the Lake Wedington Recreation Area offers 18+ miles of singletrack trails popular with trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.
