Bentonville, known as the Mountain Biking Capital of the World, is set to host the starting line of the grueling Arkansas High Country Race (ARHC) in 2026 and 2027. This self-supported, 1,000-mile endurance challenge will kick off in downtown Bentonville in the fall of 2026. The Ultra-endurance course loops through Northwest Arkansas, traversing the Ozark and Ouachita mountains and the Arkansas River Valley. Riders will tackle one of the toughest mixed-surface routes in the country, half on gravel roads, half on pavement, carrying all their own gear and supplies along the way.
Visit Bentonville president and CEO Kalene Griffith said Bentonville welcomes the race with open arms. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Arkansas High Country Race to Bentonville for 2026 and 2027,” she said. “This 1,000-mile journey through the Natural State—half gravel, half pavement—is a perfect opportunity for us to extend our Southern hospitality and cycling culture beyond mountain biking. As the Mountain Bike Capital of the World, we’re excited to be a basecamp and resource for all kinds of cyclists exploring Arkansas’ stunning backroads.”
1,000 Miles of Arkansas Backroads
When the race begins, riders will fan out from downtown Bentonville at dawn, heading into the wilds of Arkansas. The ARHC course is designed to push endurance cyclists to the limit. It winds through steep Ozark ridge lines and Ouachita peaks, and follows ridge roads and rivers through rural valleys. Along the way are iconic natural attractions and small towns famous for their friendliness. Each edition of the High Country Race has challenged athletes with relentless climbs, rugged descents, and the warm welcome of Arkansas hospitality. In recent years the event has even added shorter loop options (250- and 500-mile routes) to draw more local and international riders. But the full Arkansas High Country loop remains the toughest test: 1,000 miles and over 75,000 feet of climbing spread over gravel, dirt, and pavement.
Bentonville’s flat, bike-friendly streets will offer a sharp contrast to the rough backcountry that lies ahead. Thanks to the nonprofit Bike Bentonville (now part of the city’s tourism bureau), and generous support from local foundations, Bentonville has developed a massive trail network. Today the city itself has over 130 miles of singletrack and gravel trails connecting the urban core to the surrounding Ozarks. These link up with more than 400 miles of off-road riding in Northwest Arkansas, making Bentonville a gateway to adventures on dirt or pavement. Local shops, outfitters and tour guides stand ready to help visiting cyclists tune their rigs, plan rides, or just relax after a long day.
Bentonville’s Bike Culture and Community
Beyond the trails, Bentonville has built a true cycling lifestyle. Downtown Bentonville is filled with bike racks, murals, and cafes that welcome riders fresh from the trailhead. Hotels, restaurants and breweries around town cater to cyclists – many offering bike washes, repair stands or energy-boosting meals. As one travel blog put it, Bentonville has become a “tourist hotspot with a prevailing bike theme”. You can grab a coffee next to a bike rack before pedaling out to Slaughter Pen or the Coler Preserve, then return for dinner at a cyclist-friendly taproom. Major attractions like Crystal Bridges Museum or local art galleries are just blocks from trails, so riders can mix culture with their training rides.
Each year Bentonville hosts several big cycling events. In June, Bentonville Bike Fest brings racers and demo bikes to town for competitive races and trail tours. In October, the OuterBike expo lets thousands of riders test the latest bike models on local trails. Throughout spring and fall, weekly group rides and clinics organized by Bike Bentonville and area bike shops draw crowds of locals and visitors. In short, cycling is woven into the fabric of Bentonville’s outdoor community.
The Arkansas High Country Race will now plug into this vibrant scene. For race organizers, Bentonville is “the best bicycling town in America,” and partnering with Visit Bentonville ensures strong local support. For local riders, it means cheering on ultra-endurance athletes and even volunteering along the course. The publicity and visitors drawn by the race will highlight Bentonville’s trails and small-town charm to a global audience.
Next Steps and Registration
Organizers plan to officially announce the 2026 race date and course details in the months ahead. According to the official race website, the 2026 ARHC in Bentonville is scheduled for October 3, 2026 (with registration opening on July 4, 2026). Information on registration, race rules and route maps will be published at arkansashighcountry.com as the launch approaches. In the meantime, Bentonville is gearing up as basecamp: setting up special race transportation, stocking local stores with spare parts, and reminding every cyclist in town that fall 2026 is going to be very busy on two wheels.
With Bentonville’s support and Arkansas’s rugged scenery, the Arkansas High Country Race is poised to become a marquee fixture on the ultra-gravel calendar. It’s a chance to showcase the state’s backroads and small-town hospitality, and to extend Bentonville’s legendary bike culture beyond the mountain bike trails into the wider world of gravel and ultra-distance cycling.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
