Mountain Top Trail

Mountain Top Trail packs a surprising punch for a park better known for its bathhouses than its backcountry. Heading southbound from Whittington Park, the trail wastes no time — you're grinding uphill through dense hardwood forest almost immediately, gaining over four hundred feet of elevation in a mile and a half. The canopy keeps things shaded and the footing is generally good, though exposed roots and loose gravel demand attention on the steeper pitches. Link it with Canyon Trail and West Mountain Trail for a proper loop around West Mountain, which transforms a short out-and-back into one of the best half-day circuits in Arkansas. Views from the upper ridge open up through the trees, offering glimpses across the Ouachita Mountains that most Hot Springs visitors never see. This trail rewards hikers who want a real workout disguised as a city park stroll.