Buffalo River Trail
~4 days · 41.7 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Buffalo River Trail is known for
Eastern reach of the Buffalo River Trail in Buffalo National River, Arkansas, following bluffs and hollows along the south side of the river from Woolum past Tyler Bend and Spring Creek to the Buffalo Point area. Published at roughly 42 miles point-to-point (the mapped line here runs somewhat shorter), with steady climbs between river level and the bluff tops.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,680 ft to 3,510 ft over 41.7 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 19.4 mi · 47%
- Downhill 19.4 mi · 47%
- Flat 2.9 mi · 7%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Buffalo River Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Buffalo River Trail scores 22/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Buffalo River Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Buffalo River Trail in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 41.7 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Buffalo River Trail?
The Buffalo River Trail climbs roughly 6,736 ft total — about 162 ft per mile, topping out near 1,171 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.