Make a Run For It

Official Visitor Guide of Bend Make a Run For It

Whether your “it” is to clear your mind, to get in your workout, or merely an excuse just to get out-out, you’ll find Bend is runner’s paradise.

The city’s abundance of year-round sunshine and the unique high desert topography make Bend a trail runner’s dream town. Even when there’s snow in the mountains, miles of desert trails wind through sagebrush, manzanita, and volcanic rock formations at lower elevations. With miles of in-town trails maintained by the Bend Park and Recreation District and hundreds of miles of mountain biking, cross country, and hiking trails a short drive from town, it’s no wonder Bend was named “America’s Best Trail Running Town” by the editors of Outside Magazine. Bend was also the chosen site for the USA Track & Field Trail Half Marathon, 50k, and Mountain Running National Championships.

You don’t even need to jump in the car for some of Bend’s most popular daily runs. You’ll find 11 miles of dirt path along the Deschutes River at opposite ends of town. Start at First Street Rapids Park and you’ll probably catch a glimpse of kayakers playing in the whitewater. From there, dip into Archie Briggs Canyon, alive with wildflowers in the summer, and shades of orange, yellow, and red in the fall.

At the other end of town, the Deschutes River Trail starts at Farewell Bend Park and makes an easy three-mile loop past gurgling rapids and waterfalls. Some of the most picturesque sections of the trail begin off Century Drive before the Widgi Creek Golf Course. Weave through lava flows and the Big Eddy Recreation Site, a popular rapid for Bend whitewater rafting companies.

The Larkspur Trail offers a glimpse at another side of Bend, connecting Pilot Butte State Park and Larkspur Park on the east side of the city. Add an additional mile (and some elevation gain!) to your run by going up to the top of Pilot Butte to enjoy 360-degree views of the city.

ROAD RUNNERS

With miles and miles of paved trails that lead to even more miles of low-traffic roads, finding a route where you’ll lose yourself is easy. If you want to avoid traffic, check out the paved trails in and around the Old Mill District, or head a few miles south to explore the six(ish) mile Sun-Lava Path that takes you from the Lava Lands Visitor Center all the way to Benham Falls. If road running is more your speed, many of the same roads that guide you along the Three Sisters Scenic Bikeway are perfect for striding it out. TRAIL RUNNERS

We get it, some runners like it dirty. Who are we to judge? It’s no secret Bend offers some of the best trail running towns in the country. The Deschutes River Trail, which begins in town and continues all the way to Sunriver, offers several starting and jumping off points if you need to cool off. In the wintertime, head out to Maston or east to the Badlands where snow is scarce and the views are endless. When you’re done, head to the closest microbrewery. Legend has it Bend beer is the best recovery drink in all the land. Cheers!