Intermediate
Featuring accessible urban trail development with a backcountry vibe, the Fayetteville Traverse trail connects Fayetteville’s lively downtown and entertainment districts to the University of Arkansas, Kessler Mountain Regional Park, Centennial Park, and Markham Hill with a continuous singletrack loop for mountain bikers, hikers, and trail runners. Predominantly Intermediate in difficulty, the Fayetteville Traverse blends technical hand-cut singletrack, mountain bike optimized flow trails, multiuse paved paths, and a few bicycle-friendly streets to create Fayetteville’s premiere mountain bike experience. The Fayetteville Traverse route features almost 18-miles of mountainous urban landscapes with close to 1500 feet of elevation gain.
Departing from Downtown Fayetteville along a short ½-mile paved trail connection, cyclists quickly get their first taste of dirt as they follow the Fayetteville Traverse trail in a clockwise direction. A combination of cross country singletrack and multiuse paved trails define the next few miles as the route proceeds towards Kessler Mountain Regional Park – a 620-acre public park and nature preserve that reaches 1,856 feet above sea level. The recreational jewel of Fayetteville, Kessler Mountain is home to almost 20-miles of technical, rock-filled mountain bike trails and some of the longest descents in the region.
After traversing across Kessler, the route descends to State Highway 62, where cyclists can utilize the pushbutton at the pedestrian crosswalk to safely cross the street. Once across, the route weaves through a small residential neighborhood before ascending Millsap Mountain and to Centennial Park.
Host venue for the 2022 Walmart UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, the 228-acre Centennial Park features purpose-built cyclo-cross and Olympic-style cross country mountain bike racecourses and a 11-mile network of optimized mountain bike trails including the popular Junk Drawer trail – with a gap jump over an antique pickup truck!
From Centennial, the route travels underneath Interstate I-49 via an abandoned cattle tunnel JUST wide enough for cyclists to squeeze through. A unique experience, the tunnel spans 500 feet and serves as a key connection from Millsap Mountain to Markham Hill – a 144-acre wooded mountain top just west of the University of Arkansas.
The route cuts through the sprawling University of Arkansas campus along some of the most popular sections of the Fayetteville Traverse. On campus, world-class trail construction is complimented by hundreds of architecturally significant buildings spread across 500-acres. A popular photo op, the 25-foot tall, 50-foot wide “Wild Band of Razorbacks” fountain located at the north endzone of Razorback Stadium includes six nearly seven-foot tall Razorbacks and represents “individual characteristics indicative of the University of Arkansas and the Razorback Nation.”
Back downtown, cyclists will find quite a few local favorites for after-the-ride recovery including restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops – plus bike-friendly patios for cyclists looking to enjoy the views (and brews!) of Fayetteville.
Where to Park
Complimentary and paid parking is widely available across Downtown Fayetteville and the Dickson Street Entertainment District. Recommended options include the Downtown Fayetteville Surface Parking Lots located at Church Avenue and Center Street. These lots are FREE to the public all day on Saturday and Sunday and close to countless after-the-ride options for food and drink.
