Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Batesville, whether you're looking for an easy short horseback riding trail or a long horseback riding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a horseback riding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The trail is 7 or 8 miles long and runs from the Hoxie City Park to Williams Baptist University. The trail crosses several city streets and also a state highway so be aware of traffic. It’s not really very scenic but it could be a nice trail with a little work. The trail is not very well kept and could use some tlc.
Over the past month, we have walked the entirety of this trail in sections, and that includes about 3/4 mile that was recently added near Sugarloaf. We love this trail, especially between Scott street to where you’re forced to walk on the road at Bittle Rd. Round trip is about 4 1/4 miles. It’s flat, mostly wooded, with several bridges over the creek. Only improvement would be to either add sidewalks or a dedicated walk/bike path where this trail is on a road.
My husband I and I use this trail often. It goes through wooded areas, along Gun Creek, through fields and park areas. Pretty level all along the way. We use it to get to neighborhoods where we can extend our ride. Well maintained throughout! Excellent trail for biking or walking!
From the college to Hoxie you will come to a updated park with new playground equipment and three bathrooms They are nice if someone would keep them clean so that was a disappointment that it was nasty and not kept up But they are brand new so maybe that’s just a one off and they will have somebody from parks and recreation to clean them soon
My wife and I rode a few miles in November 2023 and enjoyed the lush fall foliage. The trail itself is paved with some elevation - nothing very intense. Lots of places to stop and rest or take in the beautiful scenery.
Very nice paved trail!! There is a parking lot at the Walnut Ridge trailhead. Easy to start there and ride to Hoxie. Easy ride.. the only issue is crossing Hwy 67, 4 lanes of heavy traffic.. but other than that, very nice! There is a Casey’s on the way if you need water and a restroom.
I love that it’s off the main roads and highway. The path that starts at the college is nice but it does get secluded with over hanging trees and the debris is on the ground so it makes for a not so smooth ride for a short distance. Before you hit the main highway you have to cross to get to the other side you will cross a wooden bridge. It’s seems dilapidated but for now it’s usable hopefully someone will fix this. Then you will now cross the main highway and it can be dangerous so wait till you can safely cross Wait on truck drivers they will not slow down It’s a nice ride after that You can park your car in several spots At William Baptist college Or in Hoxie Several spots to stop and get something to eat Even Casey’s gas station has air you have to buy it
Trail is very isolated. Dangerous Bridge at the end. Supports are rotted out. Only saw one rider. No places for refreshments or food.
It’s very rare to find a Rails-to-Trails project this nice in a small town like Walnut Ridge/Hoxie. It’s completely paved, with a couple of small bridges and a great spectrum of scenery — rural fields, forest and neighborhoods. WELL WORTH the ride!
Awesome trail, I especially like the new parking lot. It’s very flat, only about 20% shade.
Great improvements have been made recently on this trail! A new parking area has been created on the north end of a new section of trail in College City. On what current maps show as W. Winters Ln in College City, the parking area has plenty of room and the trail leaves from the southwest end of the lot (Picture 1). After heading south for about ¾ mile, the new section of trail t-bones (Picture 2) with the original trail. Turning right (west) takes you through a nicely wooded section of trail (Picture 3) towards Hwy 67. This fairly busy highway crossing is about 1½ miles from the college parking area.
After crossing the highway, you will find a newly paved section continuing west for another half mile or so before the trail takes on a more southerly heading. The flat terrain lends itself to farming and there are a few trees for variety (Picture 4).
The Coon Creek crossing has been completely rebuilt (Picture 5). As you continue south, croplands give way to homes (Picture 6). Continuing into the town of Walnut Ridge, you travel through quiet city lanes and some older neighborhoods (Picture 7). About 5 miles from the start point is West Main Street. On the south side of this busy crossing is a Casey’s convenience store which makes a nice rest stop with facilities, snacks and cold drinks. Another couple of miles or so and you will find the turn-around at the southern end of the trail (Picture 8).
At the north end of the trail, in College City (now annexed into Walnut Ridge), if you head east on Fulbright Ave for about ¾ mile, you can visit the Wings of Honor Museum (Picture 9) for a bit of history of the area as well as a place to get out of the sun and cool off.
My wife and I thoroughly enjoy this trail. The 15-mile round trip including the excursion to the Museum is just right for a nice afternoon outing on our trikes. We enjoy the peaceful farm areas as well as the lack of traffic on most of the streets. The streets in College City are also very lightly traveled most of the time, and being the home of Williams Baptist University there are a fair number of bikes in the area.
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