Oregon

Ready for a 10-day, mixed-surface bikepacking route through Eastern Oregon? The Southern Blues 600 (SB600) complements the Northern Blues & Wallowa Gravel Loop by exploring an entirely different part of the expansive Blue Mountains via a broad sampling of off-road tracks. Expect big views of the Elkhorn, Wallowa, Greenhorn, and Strawberry ranges along the way.

The Pine Mountain Observatory (PMO) Loop provides an overnight sampler of the high desert forest of the Oregon Outback. The ride's peak will bring you to the University of Oregon's astronomical observatory and adjacent campsite at the top of Pine Mountain.

Pedal your way through massive old growth, past bubbling blue pools, around alpine lakes, and along an indigenous explorer’s route on the Oregon Timber Trail. The Anaxshat Passage embodies the trails and backcountry landscapes of the Hood Tier, all easily accessible over a long weekend from the Portland metro area and geared toward less-experienced mountain bikers.

The High Cascades Overnighter is pure singletrack bliss that covers everything from the high desert to alpine lakes. This route is a great tour of some of the mountain biking options around Bend, Oregon. Pack a fly rod, some fat tires, and a sense of adventure...

The Frog Lake Loop hops along four lakes in Mt. Hood National Forest to make a perfect overnight escape for lake bathing and mountainside views. The route offers smooth singletrack and flowing gravel roads in between towering Douglas firs and ponderosa pines. The route also goes through Little Crater Lake, a geological oddity that showcases the magical wonder of the region…

The Cascade Skyline is a three or four day bikepacking route that takes in Oregon’s most iconic scenery along classic gravel and dirt roads.

The Oregon Timber Trail is an iconic 690-mile backcountry mountain bike route spanning Oregon’s diverse landscapes from California to the Columbia River Gorge. Divided into four unique tiers that can be through or section ridden, it travels through a variety of landscapes, communities, ecosystems, terrain and, most importantly, mountain bike trails, with over 70 per cent singletrack to its name.

The Central Oregon Backcountry Explorer serves as an introductory route to the Ochoco Mountains and the geologic wonderland of the John Day Basin. Ride twisty dirt, gravel and paved roads through old-growth ponderosa pine forests, past stunning volcanic landscapes, old pioneer mines and ghost towns, the Painted Hills, all the way to the friendliest hostel around. The availability of water, great camping, and fairly non-technical terrain makes this a great ride for all levels of experience, just watch out for goat head thorns!

The Elkhorn Crest Trail runs along the Elkhorn Mountain ridgeline in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. This technical trail traverses sub-alpine forests and grasslands and offers panoramic views of Baker Valley and the Wallowa Mountains to the East, and the Blue Mountains to the West. Camp at one of the high mountain lakes, enjoy views of the rocky nearby peaks, and maybe even catch a glimpse of a herd of elk or resident mountain goats.

Linking up the best of Oregon's Big Country with forgotten wagon roads and rugged overland travel. Cross three mountain ranges, a desert playa, visit five hot springs, and enjoy the solitude of vast empty landscapes.

The Three Sisters Three Rivers route criss-crosses Oregon's Cascade Range from the dry desert forest trails of Bend and Sisters to the hot springs and alpine ridges of the Upper Willamette to the lush, western flanks of the Calapooya Range, blue pools, and hot springs of the North Umpqua Trail.

Starting in Frenchglen, this route loops through remote southeastern Oregon linking up the Sheldon and Hart National Antelope Refuges, several hot springs, and a dried ancient lake bed. This route is considered by some as a top prize in Oregon bikepacking.

What's considered by some as the best bikepacking route in Oregon, the Outback starts in Klamath Falls near the California border, and traverses the entire state on lightly traveled, mostly unsurfaced roads. This includes a slice of the route’s namesake area – the Oregon Outback – a dusty, remote portion of the state populated by not much more than coyotes and rattlesnakes.

While this route lacks the panache of a full circumnavigation of Mount Hood, it more than makes up for it by linking together all the best dirt near the mountain.