Chicken Dinner Loop

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Chicken Dinner is a fabulous multi-use trail on the southeastern end of the Arkansas Hills Trail System. This professionally built trail offers a smooth climb from the road at the bottom, gradually working its way up the hills and then traversing back to the north. Overall the climb is quite easy, and a few short descents provide a break from the work.

Depart from the F-Street Bridge Trailhead by crossing the train tracks and looking for the signs for Rise-N-Shine. Take a right on Rise-n-Shine and follow the signs along the base of the hills. Instead of climbing Rise-N-Shine, continue along the base on either the Hobo Railyard trail or the Pole Line Trail, which is a dirt road. Eventually, you'll get on the dirt road either way, working your way to the southeast until you reach the bottom of the Chicken Dinner Trail.

Take a left to begin climbing Chicken Dinner. This fabulous professionally-built trail climbs into the hills via a delightful series of turns and switchbacks. The grades on this climb are all quite moderate, making for an easy ascent. A few short descents on the way up provide a break from the work.

Soon, the trail begins working its way consistently back to the northwest. From some outcroppings and exposed corners you'll enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

Take care on Chicken Dinner Trail, as you may encounter high-speed downhill mountain bike traffic.

At the junction with Sweet Dreams Trail, take a right and then a quick left onto Dream On. The trail tread on Dream On is a bit rougher but the feel is still quite similar to Chicken Dinner, as you wind along the exposed hillsides.

The loop mapped here descends Rise-N-Shine—another smooth, easy singletrack trail.

However, if you want to extend this loop, it's very easy to add additional miles. You can continue along Dream On and descend Maybe. Or, you can pick up Backbone and then descend either Sand Dunes Trail or Frontside. The Arkansas Hills truly allow you to choose your own adventure!