Canyon Trail

Canyon Trail is the kind of short connector that punches well above its weight class. Starting behind the Mountain Valley Water building in downtown Hot Springs, you'll climb from the valley floor into the forested slopes of West Mountain — gaining roughly 300 feet of elevation in under a mile. The first stretch lulls you into comfort with a moderate grade through mixed hardwoods, but once you pass West Mountain Drive, the trail rears up with a leg-searing pitch that will have you questioning your life choices. The reward is access to the West Mountain trail network and increasingly open views of the Ouachita Mountains rolling out below you. The forest canopy provides decent shade most of the year, and the trail surface is a mix of packed earth and exposed rock. This one's perfect for hikers staying in town who want a quick workout without driving anywhere — you can literally walk here from your hotel.