Home › Arkansas › Hot Springs › Mountain Top Trail
Mountain Top Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 33 Google reviews · Running trail in Hot Springs, Arkansas · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Mountain Top Trail yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Easy wooded hiking path with connecting trails leading to the top of West Mountain.
What runners say about Mountain Top Trail
“A quick detour east 2 tenths along sunset trail gives great views of Hot Springs at the summit overlook.”
Great short trail but steep incline for some cardio exercise. Good views near the top on both sides of the mountain. I love how i can comfortably hike here in shorts and a t-shirt 11 months of the year.
Starting at Whittington trail head, it is a quick trail up to the top of West Mountain in about 0.9 miles gaining over 430 feet of elevation. A quick detour east 2 tenths along sunset trail gives great views of Hot Springs at the summit overlook. The trail itself is 1.5 miles from Whittington to Prospect.
Great trail. And at the very top is an excellent view of downtown Hot Springs!
Cute shaded hike. It’s not too long but the incline makes it a nice little workout. We had a group of all levels of fitness and everyone survived with smiles :) Also we only ran into people at the top in the parking lot. We parked in the neighborhood and walked up and then back down.
Trail conditions & character
“A quick detour east 2 tenths along sunset trail gives great views of Hot Springs at the summit overlook.”
“The first 30-45 minutes were the steepest, but they really were not that steep at all.”
“We had a group of all levels of fitness and everyone survived with smiles :) Also we only ran into people at the top in the parking lot.”
Plan your run at Mountain Top Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
Running trails near Hot Springs
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Sunset Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 257 reviews
Hiking trail in Hot Springs National Park over 10+ mi. of varied terrain with scenic overlooks.
West Mountain Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 219 reviews
Gentle 1.2-mile trail winding through mature forest, with vista points & access to other trails.
Tufa Terrace Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 121 reviews
Scenic trail & promenade in a natural setting leading to unique geothermal waterfalls.
Gulpha Gorge Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 90 reviews
Short, steep route leading down to camping at Gulpha Gorge Creek, plus connections to other trails.