Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT)

Mountain Biking Trail

Moderate
39.01 mi
5,113 ft
The LOViT trail is a sweet IMBA Epic singletrack that has everything you’d want in a mountain bike ride.

The LOViT IMBA Epic trail is an out-and-back, so you may want to break it up into segments and spend the night at an area cabin or campground. But if you want to do the entire trail at once, you can setup a shuttle with Ouachita Rides & Guides (facebook.com/ridesandguides/).

I prefer riding west to east, but there is no best direction. When you start at Denby Point the first few miles are nice and flowy, easy-peasy, with smooth trails and views of Lake Ouachita.

There isn't much elevation until after mile 11, when you start climbing Hickory Mountain. With the steep grade—about 10% at times—and rocky trail, it is a challenge for anyone. But once you reach the top, your efforts are rewarded with a great open view, followed by a long descent. Enjoy!

After about 10 more miles there is another long, steep climb, but you’re riding in the Ouachita Mountains—there are going to be some climbs.

The entire trail is classic singletrack, with roots, rocks, dense pine forests, and creek crossings. And none of these rocks were hauled in like some of the other trails in the region—Mother Nature put these rocks there just for our riding pleasure.

The easternmost end of the trail drops you down a pretty sweet descent to the base of the dam that formed the lake. Once you reach the dam you can check another IMBA Epic trail off your list of mountain biking accomplishments.

There are plenty of trailheads and gravel road crossings to help you break the trail up. If a cabin and camping is not your thing, the exciting city of Hot Springs is not far away. You can get a room at the Arlington Hotel and soak those aching muscles to get you ready to go back and finish your LOViT adventure. Written by Bob Robinson
Created By
Strava Routes

Route and Elevation

Segments

NameDistanceElev. Diff.Avg. Grade
Denby Point2.46 mi121 ft0.6%
Shangrila to Mountain Harbor Rd Eastbound4.87 mi174 ft0.5%
Rippity Doo Dah0.24 mi-66 ft-4.9%
Finally dropped my seat!0.26 mi-102 ft-6.8%
Dig Deep0.68 mi118 ft3.2%
Get me outta here0.41 mi-131 ft-6.0%
False Top0.80 mi144 ft3.2%
The 1st 100 Feet0.37 mi108 ft5.6%
Joplin TH to Hickory Nut3.82 mi689 ft2.3%
Out for a Rip0.36 mi-180 ft-9.1%
Hickory Nut Mt Climb-Eastbound1.40 mi531 ft6.6%
15.7% Can you clean it, no dabs!?0.20 mi167 ft15.7%
Hickory Nut Mountain descent, No ups! 400' drop in a mile1.02 mi-417 ft-7.7%
Hickory Nut MT Rd to Pollard Creek Eastbound2.57 mi-561 ft-4.1%
Hickory Nut Mt Descent2.36 mi-571 ft-4.3%
Lovit Enduro Stage 10.85 mi-430 ft-9.5%
Dos Amigos0.88 mi-72 ft-0.1%
LOViT Enduro Stage 20.55 mi-226 ft-7.6%
LOViT Crystal Springs to Bear-top Bench6.50 mi656 ft1.8%
LOVIT East from Crystal Springs Rd to Brady Mt Rd9.20 mi669 ft0.1%
I wanna go Fast!0.42 mi-98 ft-4.4%
Lovit Enduro Stage 30.38 mi-131 ft-6.4%
Up the Bear1.33 mi364 ft5.1%
Bear Mountain whole climb1.61 mi459 ft5.4%
N Crystal Springs Rd Climb1.16 mi374 ft6.1%
Headed East like a Beast0.23 mi-92 ft-7.2%
On top and flying.0.53 mi-128 ft-4.3%
Down from the Vista, Mista1.72 mi-597 ft-6.5%
LOViT Enduro Stage 41.62 mi-541 ft-6.3%
A little breeze to cool you.0.19 mi-108 ft-10.4%
inlaw Climb1.21 mi400 ft6.0%
LOViT Enduro Stage 50.66 mi-200 ft-5.7%
Moving and Grooving0.61 mi-200 ft-6.1%
Lovit Enduro Stage 60.77 mi-384 ft-9.4%
Descending towards the Spillway0.68 mi-348 ft-9.6%
Spillway up Daddy-O1.13 mi213 ft3.6%
Avery downhill jam!1.26 mi-348 ft-5.2%