Ozark Highlands Trail — Section 1: Lake Fort Smith to White Rock Mountain
~2 days · 16.3 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Ozark Highlands Trail — Section 1: Lake Fort Smith to White Rock Mountain is known for
Section 1 of Ozark Highlands Trail is an official 28 km point-to-point section from Lake Fort Smith (Lake Fort Smith State Park, OHT mile 0, western terminus) to White Rock Mountain Trailhead (OHT mile 17.4).
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 3,002 ft to 6,532 ft over 16.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 8.6 mi · 53%
- Downhill 6.3 mi · 39%
- Flat 1.2 mi · 8%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Ozark Highlands Trail — Section 1: Lake Fort Smith to White Rock Mountain?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Ozark Highlands Trail — Section 1: Lake Fort Smith to White Rock Mountain scores 25/100, 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 Ozark Highlands Trail — Section 1: Lake Fort Smith to White Rock Mountain take?
Most backpackers hike the Ozark Highlands Trail — Section 1: Lake Fort Smith to White Rock Mountain in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 16.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Ozark Highlands Trail — Section 1: Lake Fort Smith to White Rock Mountain?
The Ozark Highlands Trail — Section 1: Lake Fort Smith to White Rock Mountain climbs roughly 4,839 ft total — about 297 ft per mile, topping out near 2,037 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.