Hot Springs National Park, known for its thermal spas, bathouses and natural springs, is also home to 26 miles of trails that historically were walking paths for people to enjoy while receiving thermal health treatments along Bathouse Row or the Army/Navy Hospital that once occupied the grounds from January 1887 to just after World War II, serving soldiers, sailors and marines. This 13.27 mile loop hits most of the scenic locations of Hot Springs National Park. The loop begins on Bathhouse Row at the National Park Adminstrative building at the corner of Central and Reserve. Here, you cross the street and go one block over to Exchange St. Find the beginning of the trail tucked up a hill just north of Gratefull Head Pizza. You begin on the Oak Trail heading southwest. Turn left as you meet up with the West Mountain Trail (South), which then runs into the Mountain Top Trail. Turn right onto this trail. Up reaching the top of the ridge, turn left and you are now on the longest trail in the National Park, the Sunset Trail. The trail circumnavigates the southern, western and northern boundaries of the park. Included along this loop is a short jaunt up Music Mountain (1,405 ft.), the highest point in Hot Springs National Park and a short jaunt over to the park's famous "Balanced Rock," until you end up at the NPS campground, the Gulpha Gorge Campground. Continue briefly on the Gulpha Gorge Trail until you hit the Oertel Trail (turn left) which takes you back to near Bathouse Row on the Grand Promenade. The Grand Promeande leads back to the National Park Adminstrative building with the fountain out front, where you started. Total milage is 13.27 miles, just over a half marathon. The real kicker of this run/hike is that it obtains a whopping 2,773 feet of elevation gain up and down the Zig-Zag Mountains, which are part of Arkansas' very own Ouachita Mountain Range. All trails are marked and easy to follow. There are some great views along the way, especially in the Fall/Winter when the leaves are down. Look for deer all along the route. Perfect for trail running.
