The best walks and hikes in Pike County

Viles Branch Trail makes up the southeastern section of the Eagle Rock Loop, connecting Athens-Big Fork and Little Missouri Trails through pine forest and along the clear waters of Viles Branch Creek. You’ll cross the creek more than a dozen times, and the crossings are typically shallow but can be slick, so be aware of your footing. The route passes some impressive rock formations and quiet streambeds that offer some of the loop’s most peaceful views. Blazes along this trail are inconsistent, and some signage near junctions is faded, so stay alert and use your offline komoot map to confirm turns to stay on track while you enjoy this beautiful stretch.

This spur trail junction leads to one of the best panoramic views on the Eagle Rock Loop. It’s easy to miss, especially when you’re focusing on the climb, so keep an eye out for a slight turnoff. The spur itself is gently graded and takes just a few minutes to reach the vista, making it a worthwhile detour for a snack break and a chance to take some memorable photos.

Brush Heap Mountain marks one of the steepest climbs on the Athens-Big Fork Trail, with this junction sitting near the top of a long, rocky ascent. The trail levels briefly at the saddle, offering a chance to catch your breath before the descent. Views are limited at the junction itself, but if you’re feeling ambitious, you can take the short (0.2-mile) boot trail for a better vantage point to take in the scenery, but be prepared to do some bushwhacking.

Long Creek is a quiet, slow-moving stream that typically flows year-round. Depending on the season, the water can be ankle-deep or just low enough to rock-hop across, keeping your feet dry. It’s quiet and shaded, making it an ideal spot to take a break before the next steep ridge climb.

The Little Missouri River runs 147 miles through the Ouachita Mountains in southwest Arkansas. This cold, rocky mountain stream is known for its clear waters, deep pools, and narrow wooded canyons. Through its upper stretches, it drops over 1,000 feet, creating beautiful waterfalls, chutes, and fast rapids like the Class IV Winding Stair Rapid before it joins the Ouachita River. Designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1992, the Little Missouri is a popular spot for its stunning views and great swimming holes.

This section of the trail runs through a mix of pine and hardwood forest, and drops fast (if you’re heading north from Winding Stairs) into a beautiful rocky gorge, where the river slices through novaculite, forming fantastic, deep, clear pools perfect for cooling off on a hot day. The trail follows the river upstream with multiple crossings and steady elevation, before reaching the Athens-Big Fork junction in about 3.5 miles. Along the way, keep an eye out for deer, songbirds, and, if you’re here in the spring, you’ll see plenty of beautiful wildflowers, especially in open stretches.

Scenic 25-acre lake in a remote mountain setting. The Civilian Conservation Corps developed the Shady Lake Recreation Area in 1937. The Shady Lake Trail traverses Saline Creek and passes the historic Shady Lake Dam. It continues along the eastern edge of the campground. The trail is ideal for day hiking. Mountain bikers may also use the trail.

The Tall Peak Fire Tower is a historic fire tower in the Ouachita National Forest. It is located at the top of Tall Peak in the southwestern part of the national forest in Polk County, Arkansas. It is a fieldstone structure built about 1938 by a crew of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and features the distinctive flared corners that typify CCC architecture. It is accessible via a forest service road off Polk County 64 ( also known as forest service road 38).