The Cascades literally elevate Oregon’s mountain biking by providing a vast assortment of climates and terrain. Ride through the luscious ferns and clay sculpted flowy berms of Post Canyon. Tour the high desert pine forests of Bend. Rip through giant manzanitas and boulder fields surrounding Ashland. We had the chance to dip our pedals into some of the most famous mountain biking in Oregon and here’s what we learned.
Post Canyon
Total Mileage: 70+ miles and counting
Vertical Relief: 2,900 feet
Our favorite trail: Upper Grand Prix
Wished we would’ve have had time to ride: Dirt Surfer
Post Canyon MTB Trail Guide
The origins of Post Canyon is an interesting one. It was one of the pioneering gravity trail networks. Built on county land that serves as a tree farm, both mountain bikers and loggers started things off contentious in the 80s and 90s. However today, they work together to promote a healthier forest and build more trails. What you’ll find is a top-tier destination for freeride mountain bikers. Throughout its massive spaghetti-like complex, you’ll find a bevy of wooden booters, perfectly sculpted berms, and tacky dirt that feels like a giant amusement park. There’s something for everyone from the first-timer to grizzled vets in your crew. To learn more about its history and the broader Hood River mountain biking scene, check out “All You Need To Know About Hood River Mountain Biking.”
44 Trails
Total Mileage: 150 miles
Vertical Relief: 4,280 feet
Our favorite trail: Cooks Meadow
Wished we would’ve have had time to ride: Surveyor’s Ridge
44 Trails MTB Guide
44 Trails is one of the other trail networks near Hood River, but unlike Post Canyon’s bike park feel, it’s a journey into the wilds of the Pacific Northwest. Tucked up on the eastern flank of Mt Hood, this system is HUGE and features A LOT of terrain to explore. We spent a full day and only felt we barely touched the surface of what’s available here.
Mountain of the Rogue
Total Mileage: 13 miles
Vertical Relief: 1,344 feet
Our favorite trail: Freewheel
Wished we would’ve have had time to ride: Arm Bar
Mountain of the Rogue Guide
Located just off I-5 between Grants Pass and Medford, you’ll find “MoTR.” While it is Southern Oregon’s first purpose-built trail network and not particularly huge, it punches above its weight. It makes for a perfect pit-stop on a mountain biking road trip to parts unknown like Tahoe or Tiger Mountain. The Rat Pack climbing trail makes quick work of the ascent without being punishing. No matter how high you pedal, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Rogue River Valley below. And once you do descend, you’ll find a fun mix of obstacles for all abilities from legit rock gardens at the top to rollable tabletops in the lower sections. For an in-depth review of what to expect, trails, and other info, check out our article: Mountain of the Rogue – Oregon’s Pirate Of MTBing.
Bend
Total Mileage: 600 miles
Vertical Relief: 4,000+ feet
Our favorite trail: Phil’s
Wished we would’ve have had time to ride: Mt Bachelor Bike Park
Bend is an XC biker’s heaven, offering up sweeping trails and endless flow that are perfect for a hardtail. The labyrinth of trails to the west of Bend can be accessed from town, but most get a bump via a shuttle to Swampy Lakes or Dutchman Snow park. From there, you can weave together an almost infinite variety of rides that are 20-30 miles in length which flow back down towards Bend. Over the course of the 3,000+ vertical feet of descent, you’ll start in a deep pine forest and transition through various climate zones ending in high desert terrain. For a detailed account of our experience, be sure to read our article: Going Cog Wild For Bend Oregon Mountain Biking
Future Rides
The list below features trail networks that are on our personal hit list to visit.
McKenzie River Trail
Overview of McKenzie River Trail
Based on what we’ve read, this trail is Oregon’s equivalent of Tahoe’s Flume Trail, and Bike Magazine even called it “America’s #1 trail.” A scenic ride that makes you feel small amongst nature’s glory. Following the McKenzie River (hence its name), it winds and raps its way gently down through old growth forests and past cascading waterfalls. On its journey, you’ll find shimmering lakes and a river so clear that you can see nearly hundred feet to the bottom. At 26.5 miles, it’s normally done as a shuttle via Horse Creek Lodge & Outfitters.
Things to Know
While the trail’s emphasis is on breathtaking scenery, be aware that the upper ten miles feature techy lava reef terrain. You can either avoid it entirely by picking a mid-way trailhead, or if you want to tackle, wearing pads is a good idea. Be sure to set aside 4-5 hours not just to ride the upper ten miles of technical features meandering through lava fields but also all the stops you’ll make to capture the beauty.
For a mix of classic Central Cascade singletrack with both climbing and descending, our friends recommend checking out King Castle or Crescent Mountain.
Oakridge
Total Mileage: 390 miles+
Vertical Relief: 7,500 feet+ (per Trailforks)
Overview of Oakridge Trails
One of only FIVE IMBA awarded Gold Level Ride centers in the world! This former logging town is about one thing: mountain biking. Over 390+ miles of trails to be exact. Don’t expect purpose-built lines but a wild backcountry experience containing natural features to navigate. Big mountain descents through old growth. Rolling river trails with technical sections. All accessed by the shuttle service of Via Trans Canada Excursions which is on the Loam Pass. Here’s a fun look at the type of riding that’s available at Oakridge from our friend Jason at Bermstyle.
Syncline
Total Mileage: 25+ miles
Vertical Relief: 1,500 feet
In a mountain biking hotbed such as Hood River, you need to provide options for different terrain, topography, and of course a zone that you can even hit if the weather isn’t playing nice (i.e. winter). That’s where Syncline comes in. Primarily south-facing and set in an arid prairie like landscape, it allows you to access pretty much any time of year. Instead of the tacky clay of Post Canyon and the high-country dirt of 44 trails, you’ll find rocky ledges to navigate. Due to its open setting, it awards you with incredible views of both the Columbia River Gorge and Mt Hood.
Sandy Ridge
Total Mileage: 15+ miles (doesn’t include uphill paved roads)
Vertical Relief: 1,300 feet
Overview of Sandy Ridge
Lying on the western flanks of Mt Hood, it’s the first major MTB trail network you hit on your way from Portland to Mt Hood. The general rule of thumb is for riders to climb a paved road and descend singletrack. Given its location on the western side of the Cascade Range, the trail network is under a tall canopy of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, western red cedar, and various other evergreen species. This also means it gets A LOT of rain!
What to Expect
Fortunately, the trail network is low enough in elevation and well-engineered to withstand water and hold up to mud. As a result, Sandy Ridge can be ridden ten months a year. From what we’ve gathered, the higher you climb, the rockier the terrain tends to become. But the trails offer a nice variety of styles—from rocky and rooty to smooth and flowy for every skill level. It’s no surprise that more than 125,000 mountain bikers visit it annually.
Local Freshies® tip: Be aware parking passes are required for Sandy Ridge. Passes can be purchased on Recreation.gov via desktop or on the Recreation.gov mobile app.
Ashland
Total Mileage: 100+ miles
Vertical Relief: 5,000 feet
Overview of Ashland MTB
Ashland isn’t what you normally imagine when you think of Oregon Mountain biking. Instead of the green lush rainforest like vegetation of the Cascades, it’s drier and more of a California-like climate. A place that is conducive to growing grapes (voted Top 10 best winter travel destinations in the world by Wine Enthusiast) and a town filled with great cuisine at the end of long hard day riding.
As any good mountain biking destination, it provides a vast array of riding options. Catch a shuttle (on the Loam Pass) to the top of Mt Ashland and do 5,000 ft of vertical ~ 13-mile descent back into town. Explore the crowning jewel of the town’s mountain biking – the Ashland Watershed trail network, which features 45+ miles of machine-built beginner routes to hand-built technical trails. Within it, you’ll find iconic routes such as Alice in Wonderland and Jabberwocky. A bit further out, the Wagner Creek Trail system offers a wilder style of XC experience with 18 miles of its 65 miles designed specifically for mountain bikers.
