West Summit Trail

The West Summit Trail ascends to the 1,011-foot summit of Pinnacle Mountain, a distinctive quartzite peak that rises dramatically above the Arkansas River Valley on the western edge of Little Rock. Visible for miles in every direction, Pinnacle Mountain is the most recognized natural landmark in central Arkansas and has been a destination for generations of local hikers. The West Summit route is the most direct and most challenging approach, involving significant boulder scrambling on the upper section where hands as well as feet are needed.

The final push to the bare quartzite summit is genuinely steep and exposed, but the 360-degree view from the top is among the finest urban-adjacent summit experiences in the South. On clear days, the Arkansas River, Maumelle Lake, and the entire Little Rock metropolitan area spread out below in a sweeping panorama. The Ouachita Mountains are visible to the west and the Arkansas River Valley stretches to the east. The lower portion of the trail passes through pleasant hardwood forest with wildflowers in spring. Despite the proximity to a major city, the summit feels genuinely remote. This trail is a beloved tradition for Little Rock residents and a must-do for any visitor to central Arkansas.