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The 670-mile Oregon Timber Trail offers 69,000 feet of elevation gain and is split into four tiers and ten segments.
Oregon Timber Trail, Oakridge
BIKING
Scenic Bikeways
Some of the best road-cyclist-friendly routes are located in Southern Oregon; after all, Oregon pioneered the Scenic Bikeway program. Each showcases gorgeous scenery, history and community, made easy for cyclists to experience by way of printable maps and on-road signage.
OREGON OUTBACK SCENIC BIKEWAY The high desert basin and range meets the forest in deep south Central Oregon. This eighty-nine mile loop is a challenging one, rewarded with views of lakes, pronghorn, wetland birds, bighorn sheep and sage grouse.
WILD RIVERS COAST SCENIC BIKEWAY Port Orford, a small fishing town, is your starting point for this ride, which travels along the Pacific Ocean and the Wild and Scenic Elk River past cranberry bogs, basalt sea stacks and vast ocean views.
CASCADE SISKIYOU SCENIC BIKEWAY Set off from the thespian town of Ashland and climb 5,000 feet through oak savannah into fir forests in the Siskiyou Range on this fifty-five mile loop classified as “extreme.” It’s worth it when you reach spectacular views of the Bear Creek Valley and Pilot Rock, a 25-million-year-old volcanic plug.
30 southernoregon.org
Cascade-Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway
More Roads to Conquer The Rim Drive of Crater Lake is an Oregon must-ride, boasting thirtythree miles of challenging alpine road cycling with a view of Oregon’s crown jewel. Keep your ears open for news of vehicle-free days, when the rim is closed to cars but open to bikes, usually in the spring and fall. Klamath County offers twenty-five mapped cycling routes from easy to extreme. Meander through mountains, farmlands and the high desert on two wheels.
The Mountains are Calling Conceived in 2015, the Oregon Timber Trail is a world-class bikepacking destination. The 670-mile backcountry mountain bike route begins south in Lakeview and runs north to the Columbia River Gorge. Make it a day trip or pack up those panniers for a rugged multiday backcountry trip. Check conditions in advance on the Oregon Timber Trail website. The North Umpqua Trail is famous for rugged singletrack opportunities. To the southeast in the desert, try Spence Mountain. Just fifteen miles from Klamath Falls, the trails offer varied terrain and views of Klamath Lake. Check out one of Oregon’s newest backcountry routes on Coos County’s Beaver Hill, Seven Devils Unit mountain biking trails.
PHOTO TOP TYLER ROEMER
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