If you moved to Bend for the trails — honestly, same. With over 300 miles of hiking trails within a short drive of downtown, Bend is a hiker’s paradise no matter your skill level. Here are seven trails that show off the best of what Central Oregon has to offer.
Tumalo Falls
This is the one you’ve seen on every Bend Instagram account, and for good reason. The 97-foot cascade is just a short walk from the parking lot, but if you’re feeling ambitious, the trail continues upstream past nearly a dozen more waterfalls. The upper falls loop is about 7 miles round trip and worth every step.
Pilot Butte
Right in the middle of town, Pilot Butte is Bend’s backyard summit. The 1.8-mile trail to the top rewards you with a full 360-degree panorama of the Cascades — from Mt. Hood to Mt. Bachelor to Broken Top. It’s the perfect sunrise hike or after-work leg-burner.
South Sister Summit
For the bucket-list crowd: the South Sister summit trail is a grueling but non-technical 12-mile round trip that takes you to 10,358 feet. The views from Oregon’s third-tallest peak are otherworldly — you can see Sparks Lake, Broken Top, and all the way north to Mt. Jefferson. Best attempted July through September.
Deschutes River Trail
Starting from downtown Bend at the Les Schwab Amphitheater, this trail follows the Deschutes River south through meadows, lava flows, and ponderosa forests. You can go as far as Benham Falls for a 12-mile out-and-back, or just enjoy a casual riverside stroll.
Misery Ridge at Smith Rock
Just 30 minutes north of Bend, Smith Rock State Park is a jaw-dropper. The Misery Ridge trail climbs steeply to panoramic views of the Crooked River canyon and the volcanic spires that have made this a world-class rock climbing destination. The full loop is about 3.8 miles.
Todd Lake
A quick half-mile walk from the parking area off Cascade Lakes Highway brings you to this pristine alpine lake with Broken Top towering overhead. Pack a picnic, bring the paddleboard, and plan to stay a while. It’s one of the most peaceful spots in the region.
Sparks Lake via Ray Atkeson Trail
Named after Oregon’s most famous landscape photographer, this easy 2-mile loop around part of Sparks Lake offers some of the most iconic Cascade views anywhere. On a calm morning, the reflections of South Sister and Broken Top in the lake are absolutely surreal.
No matter which trail you choose, remember to pack the 10 essentials, check trail conditions, and leave no trace. Happy hiking, Bend!