Enjoy these other activities
Beyond snow sports and golf, outdoor recreation opportunities in Central Oregon range from the relaxing to the seriously strenuous. Here’s a sampling of things to do.Page 1: Walk, ride or climb
Hiking, cyclingThe Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests contain over 1,000 miles of non-motorized trails suitable for all experience levels. Many trails extend into alpine regions of the Cascade Mountain wilderness areas.
Trails are not confined to the remote outback of Central Oregon, however, as urban trail systems put walking and cycling within everyone’s reach. The award-winning Bend Metro Park & Recreation District maintains 48 mi of trails, including a Deschutes River trail that eventually will extend to Tumalo State Park. The 3.5-mi Dry Canyon Trail runs north and south through Redmond. Central Oregon’s destination resorts are lined with walking and cycling trails. Sunriver Resort contains over 30 miles of paved bike trails; Eagle Crest Resort has over 11 miles. For the committed mountain biker, the Phil’s Trail complex just west of Bend is a network of 10 major trails extending into the Cascade foothills. Central Oregon’s popularity as a mountain biking, hiking and running venue has caught media attention: Outside magazine named it the best trail-running town in 2006. Mountain Bike magazine carried an 11-page feature in June 2007 describing Bend as a year-around playground for adventure sports athletes. And Bike Magazine has praised Bend for its variety of riding and healthy bike culture.
For cyclists who prefer a smooth surface to mountain trails, there is plenty to encourage participation. Several prominent races are held each year, including the Cascade Chainbreaker and the Cascade Cycling Classic, the longest consecutively run elite stage race in the country.
Climbing, mountaineering
Smith Rock State Park is world famous as a climbing venue. The 651-acre park near Terrebonne, 9 mi NE of of Redmond, contains several thousand climbs, with over 1,000 bolted routes. Smith Rock is mentioned on several climbing web sites, one of which declares it home to some of the hardest routes on earth.
The major rock faces are composed of compressed volcanic ash reaching up to 550 feet in height. Picnic and campground areas sit on columnar basalt rimrock. Hiking and mountain bike trails offer spectacular views of the area and extend into the Crooked River canyon and outside the park. A day use permit is required.
Volcanic peaks in the Cascade Mountains are home to many routes suitable for mountaineers of all experience levels. These include Belknap Crater in the Mt. Washington Wilderness Area, and peaks in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. Climbing is also found near Tumalo Falls west of Bend, in the Crooked River Gorge, and the cliffs around Prineville. The popularity of climbing in Central Oregon has spun off a variety of gear manufacturers, outfitters, schools and guides. An indoor rock gym in Bend, Inclimb, contains 8,000 sq ft of climbing terrain.
Go to Page 2: Getting wet
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