Intermediate to Advanced
Featuring the western side of Mount Kessler and a quintessential Ozark trail experience, our 9-mile ‘Mythical Creatures’ route includes the iconic Spellbound and Western Myth trails - with over 800 feet of total elevation gain. Predominately hand-cut singletrack, this Intermediate to Advanced trail experience is ideal for the avid mountain biker looking for technical but rewarding riding.
Beginning from a public parking and playground area, the route hops onto the Fayetteville Traverse trail for an initial 3-mile ascent up Mount Kessler including portions of Trent Trail, Serpentine, and Eggbeater. The route follows Eggbeater south along a western ridge of the mountain before descending on Spellbound in a clockwise direction. Known for its unique rock formations and sweeping overlooks of the Illinois River Valley west of Fayetteville, Spellbound is a technically advanced hand-cut mountain bike trail well worth the effort.
From Spellbound, the route follows Western Myth back south along a parallel ridgeline before reconnecting with Spellbound for a formidable climb back to the Trent Trail and the route’s highest peak at 1801’.
Crossing the Trent Trail, the route follows Crazy Mary to the Chinkapin Oak trail and the beginning of a rowdy 3-mile descent off the mountain. A popular stage for enduro events, riders rattling down Chinkapin are rewarded with tight and twisting singletrack featuring lengthy rock gardens, technical step downs, and alt-line drops. The route finishes with a spirited pedal along the Saddle Up trail and back towards the parking lot.
Kessler has long been a local favorite for mountain bikers, with trail construction beginning decades before conservation efforts in 2014 led to the acquisition of the land for public use. In the 1990’s, volunteers with the Ozark Off Road Cyclists (working with permission from landowners) built the initial system of intermediate and advanced-level trails – efforts that would highlight the recreational value of the mountain and help lead to successfully conserving what is today the 620-acre Kessler Mountain Regional Park.
Where to Park
Located just west of Interstate 49 off Cato Springs Road, Fayetteville’s Kessler Mountain Regional Park serves as the trailhead for “Mile Zero” of the Razorback Greenway and close to 20-miles of world-class natural surface trails popular with mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners and dog walkers. Free public parking is available at the playground area at the park’s entrance, PLUS restrooms, water fountains, bicycle repair stations and other amenities.
