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The best parts of the Ouita Coal Company trail in one clockwise loop.


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Map Key

3.3

Miles

5.4

KM

100%

Singletrack

381' 116 m

High

340' 104 m

Low

120' 37 m

Up

121' 37 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

6%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Drops/Jumps

Overview

The Sweet Spot is a clockwise loop of the Ouita Coal Company trail's outer perimeter. The Sweet Spot links the entire system together into a single "greatest hits" ride that ensures you get all the best parts of the trail in a bite size package.

Description

Starting at the top of Red Trail, the Sweet Spot owes its name to its early beginnings as a (slightly illegal) playground for the motorcross riders in the River Valley area. A clockwise loop, riders bypass much of Red Trail and Blue Trail - instead hitting some of the best flow through both.

Blue Trail hurtles you through an excellent downhill run into to the Orange Trail which is a playground of old coal mine features that include small jumps and one high speed berm. After working through the Orange Trail, the trail climbs up to an overlook that marks the beginning of Green Trail. It's a great place to catch your breath before riding the "dragon's back" one of the most prominent old mine features on the trail.

While the Green Trail marks the beginning of the end of the trail, riders will still enjoy some of the most scenic lakeside riding before the Green gives way to the Yellow Trail. The Yellow brings more climbs and longer downhills as the trail works its way back up to the Stump and the Turtle Shell at the beginning of Red Trail.

History & Background

The Ouita Coal Company trail system gets it name from a coal company that mined the area in the 1800s. Sandwiched between I40 and Lake Dardanelle, the small spur of land holds remnants of the old mine that mountain bikers have built 9+ miles of trail around and through. Managed by the City of Russellville, and built and maintained by the River Valley Chapter of the Ozark Off-Road Cyclists club, the Ouita Coal Company trail (known to locals as "OCC") is a hidden MTB gem in the River Valley. Riders passing south through to the Ouachitas (to the Womble or OT) or North to the playgrounds in Bentonville, find OCC to be a great place to stop off and ride.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tomas Rofkahr with improvements by Luke S

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 7 votes

#1715

Overall
  4.6 from 7 votes
5 Star
57%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#26

in Arkansas

#1,715

Overall
11 Views Last Month
1,755 Since Jan 12, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Trail actually runs right up on the water now - fantastic views.
Nov 22, 2016 near Russell…, AR
Trail hazard!
Aug 11, 2015 near Russell…, AR
enjoying some chill time
Oct 23, 2018 near Russell…, AR
One of the smaller whoop-de-doos
Aug 3, 2014 near Russell…, AR
Some of the flatter sections.
Aug 3, 2014 near Russell…, AR
The start of the loop.
Aug 3, 2014 near Russell…, AR

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