The Ouachita Trail is an off-season hike, meaning it’s best to hike in the spring or fall. Summers in Arkansas are too hot, stuffy and muggy. The trail in winter can be subject to severe storms and cold temperatures. Freezing rain is especially dangerous in winter.
DIFFICULTY AND SKILLS
The trail is well laid out and well maintained. Intersections are usually marked and easy to identify. There are even mileage signs along the route. If you have a good map and know the route well, you should have no problem staying on the right path.
The Ouachita Trail is physically challenging. Much like the Appalachian Trail, the route can seem like an endless series of ups and downs ranging from 500 feet to 1000 feet (150-300 m). The eastern third of the trail is extremely rocky and can be slow and sometimes treacherous, especially when it is wet. Expect daily mileage to be below average for most of the route.
With some planning and advanced route planning, some hikers have connected the Ouachita Trail with the ~170 mile Ozark Highlands Trail to create a longer hike.
EAST VERSUS WEST
The Ouachita Trail traditionally runs from west to east, although it can be hiked in either direction. The Ouachita Trail guide and mileage signs are based on starting at the western terminus at Talimena State Park in Oklahoma and finishing at the eastern terminus at Pinacle Mountain State Park near Little Rock, Arkansas.