The Fayetteville Traverse trail loop runs through the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville near Stadium Drive across from Razorback Stadium. (Todd Gill/Fayetteville Flyer)A new mountain bike trail that runs through the University of Arkansas campus will soon open to the public.
University officials on Monday said campus portions of the Fayetteville Traverse trail loop could be ready by the time classes begin this fall.
The Fayetteville Traverse is an 18-mile natural-surface loop that, once complete, will connect Kessler Mountain Regional Park, Centennial Park, Markham Hill, and the university campus, which includes the Freshman Experience mountain bike loop and the new Tsa La Gi mountain bike park.
The campus trail runs from the Fowler House Lawn through the Victory Garden across from Razorback Stadium, and then south to the Freshman Experience loop near Clinton Drive (see map below).
The entire trail is designed as a beginner-level mountain bike trail, meaning all ages and abilities of trail users are expected to be able to navigate the pathways that run through campus.
“The Fayetteville Traverse gateway trail will provide an outstanding outdoor recreation and transportation opportunity for students, faculty and staff,” according to the university. “Additionally, providing these trails on campus not only enhances our campus landscape, but also creates recreational opportunities for students without leaving the campus footprint.”
The Fayetteville Traverse trail loop runs through the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville next to the John W. Tyson Poultry Science Building. (Todd Gill/Fayetteville Flyer)The project is funded through a gift from Tom and Steuart Walton, which includes money for the construction of the trails and the first years of maintenance, according to a news release.
The Trailblazers have partnered with Progressive Trail Design to build out some key sections of the trail.
Work began earlier this summer, and while portions of the trail are expected to open in August, additional trail work in less sensitive areas of campus is scheduled to continue into the fall.
New campus bike park
Tsa La Gi Bike Park (Todd Gill/Fayetteville Flyer)The Fayetteville Traverse trail connects to a new mountain bike park that recently opened in south Fayetteville on university property south of the intersection of Razorback Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The Tsa La Gi Bike Park sits behind the university’ new UREC Tennis Center along Indian Trail behind Chick-fil-A and Sonic.
The university acquired the 10-acre site following a land swap with the city in 2020. The agreement included swapping the land needed for the tennis center and bike park for over 60 acres of wooded hillside property west on Markham Hill west of the university.
The park includes beginner- and intermediate-level lines with several features.
(University of Arkansas map)Fayetteville Traverse – UA campus route
(University of Arkansas maps)
