The
rugged and forested Boston Mountains region of the Ozark
Mountains provides the setting for this route, which
often runs through a tunnel of foliage during spring,
summer and fall. Spring wildflowers and brilliant autumn
foliage make the route especially popular during those
seasons. The route crosses the Mulberry River and the
165-mile Ozark Highlands Trail.
Additional
scenery information submitted by "Bone" (Sep
06) - "Deep wooded terrain, many 15mph hairpins with
short straights between them with dropoffs on one side
cliffs on the other. The road runs between valleys beside
streams to mountain hard curves. This has been called
the Arkansas Dragon, and at the one general store
midway of the run, you can buy pins and patches of this.
The ride can be extended northward another 18 miles to
the town of Huntsville where there are complete services,
food, gas, lodging. "
Motorcycle
Road Quality:
Ark.
23 from the south boundary of the Ozark National Forest
to its intersection with Ark. 16 at Brashears. Hair raising
hairpin turns, switchbacks, curves, curves, hills, curves
and more curves! Not for the faint of heart.
Motorcycle
Roadside Amenities:
The
Pig Trail provides numerous recreational opportunities.
Enjoy open fields and pastures, rugged cedar breaks and
rocky bluffs or the banks of the Mulberry River. If fishing
isn't your favorite activity, brave the rushing waters for
a few hours of whitewater rafting or kayaking and afterward
spend a night under leafy boughs while the rushing waters
from the White River sooth you to sleep. Start off the next
day with a hike along the Ozark Highlands Trail, and capture
the widespread views beneath you with your camera. There
is Turner Bend Store and campground at the "end of the trail"
where you can get a patch that says "I survived the Pig
Trail" and a campground, along with several lodges and cabin
sites along the beginning and end of the ride.
From
Interstate 40, near the
town of Ozark (between Little Rock and
Fort Smith), you will want to take exit
35 north on to Hwy 23 and into (and through)
the town of White
Oak, AR (Franklin County). Start this
motorcycle road where Hwy 23 and Route 352
intersect. From here continue heading north
on Hwy 23 and the fun starts when you cross
into the Ozark National Forest … here is
where the Pig Trail starts and continues
all the way up to where Hwy 23 and Hwy 16
meet (at Brashears Cemetery and just south
of the town of St. Paul, AR).
Additional
Information:
-
View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo
weather.
Do you have any pictures of this area? Contribute a photo and show other riders what they’ll see along the way.
Have you ever filmed video along this ride or in the area? Contribute the video and show riders what the area looks like.
Comments page 1 of 0
Click here to add a rating and/or comment
Donniejoe - 2006 Honda
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 329 days ago
From Breashears to Turner Bend, this is a great route. It's everything you could ask for. If you want to ride in Arkansas you have to run the Pig Trail. The remainder of Hwy 23 is good, but not exceptional. You can combine the Turner Bend to Breashears section with other routes and make a great ride. The other great rides in this area are listed on this web site. Take a week and ride them all.
This user rated the route: 9 out of 10
Posted 230 days ago
UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!
Normally, I love the Pig Trail, but be warned that they started construction in fall of 2009! There are more trucks on the roads, and some areas are being removed (a bit of dirt).
Hate for someone to hate the ride because you're stuck behind a logging or dirt truck OR have problems dealing with a construction area. Recommendation: call Turner Bend convenience store for most recent details before you make the ride.
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 232 days ago
Highway 23 aka the Pig Trail is an excellent ride and I recommend it to anyone on 2 wheels. Lots of curves and scenery to keep you occupied. Turner Bend Store and campground on the Mulberry River 10 miles or so north of Ozark is a great place to stop and get a cup of coffee or just sit there and talk with other fellow riders. The part I like the most is that highway 23 is a great jumping off place for other great roads to ride. Check the map and you'll see. I ride the Pig Trail often and never get tired of it. Enjoy!
This user rated the route: 9 out of 10
Posted 51 days ago
Great Place for a road trip. From Dallas we took of to Hot Springs, stayed over night and the next day we did the Pig Trial ride. Beautiful scenery, lots of curves and hardly any traffic. Highly recommend it.
This user rated the route: 9 out of 10
Posted 75 days ago
How beautiful this ride is! Don't miss it. It was a blistering summer day, and this route gave us shade and scenery much needed compared to the alternatives! Watch out as you do get shots to hog ball, but then need to drop her down for hairpins. Fun! Not if tired or over nourished!
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 38 days ago
I rode the Pig Trail from I 40 to Breshears on July 25, 2010. The construction is complete. Go for a ride and enjoy. The side trip on 215 to Oark is not a good idea, as it is under construction until Spring 2011.
Great ride with outstanding views. Bring a camera. Pay heed to the speed signs on curves as they will surprise you. Make sure to stop at the Buffalo River.
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 35 days ago
There are a lot of great roads in the area, but this is my favorite. On a hot day, the shaded road is nice. It has just the right amount (for me) of "curviness". The people at the store at Turner Bend are very nice. Just an all around great riding experience. We continued on up 23 to Eureka Springs for dinner, then back to our cabin in Ponca.
This user rated the route: 9 out of 10
Posted 65 days ago
Great ride! It is nice and cool among all the trees with lots of switchback, inclines, and declines to keep you awake. If you get a chance, stop in farther north in Ozone at the Ozone Burger Barn for a bite to eat. Ozone has about 4 houses and this place is completely bizarre, but in a fun way.
I have ridden the pig trail four times on my bicycle, from Fayetteville to Ozark. I always stop at "Turner Bend" where the trail crosses the Mulberry River. This is a great ride and the people I meet at TB are numerous and friendly. A great ride for bicyclists, motorcyclists, and "automobilists!"
This user rated the route: 9 out of 10
Posted 394 days ago
Great road! Did this route the first of Nov in 2008 and loved it. The leaves were changing, at peak, and it was beautiful. I like the fact that there is low traffic on such a curvy, scenic, good road. I had done the dragon the month before and really like the Arkansas roads better because they were not crowded and just as thrilling.
