Explore Central Oregon’s Hiking Trails

Crystal blue waterfalls, alpine wildflowers, ancient lava flows and mountaintop views all make Central Oregon a hiker’s paradise.

Sunriver is a great place to start exploring hiking trails.

Resources include:

 Sunriver Books & Music: Find books on hiking trails in Central Oregon

 Sunriver Hiking Club: sunriverhikingclub@gmail.com

 Sunriver Women’s Club has two hiking groups: Sunriverwomensclub.org

 

Sunriver has 34 miles of paved pathways, providing hikers with an enchanting experience as they walk along the Deschutes River and through meadows and forests.

Stroll across the Cardinal Landing Bridge, near Circle 5, to the Sunriver Trails. While designed for mountain biking, the trails are open to hikers and trail runners.

 

Sun-Lava is a 6 mile (one way) paved path that leads to the Benham Falls Day Use Area & Lava Lands Visitor Center. The Sun-Lava path can be accessed in Sunriver just east of Circle 7.

Canyon Creek Meadows: Three-Fingered Jack serves as the backdrop to this 8-mile round trip hike with many points of interest along the way including wildflower meadows, a glacial pool and mountain goats. Views of the Three Sisters, Mt. Washington and Mt. Jefferson.

Cougar Woods & the Big Pine: Visit La Pine State Park to discover easy hiking trails along the river and in the forest. Must see – Big Tree Ponderosa Pine is more than 500 years old.

Park Meadow trail to Golden Lake: 13.3 miles round trip. This challenging hike is worth the stunning views, sparkling lakes and wildflowers at Park Meadows.

Patjens Lakes Loop: You will discover mountain views, alpine lakes and summer wildflowers on this 7-mile loop.

Quinn Meadows: Start at the Quinn Meadow Horse Camp, follow Quinn Creek, pass through Hosmer Lake and Moolack Butte for a 7.8-mile round trip hike.

Riley Ranch Nature Reserve: There are several hikes to choose from, all featuring meadows, juniper and pine forests, lava flows and the river’s rocky canyon.

Shevlin Park: Bend’s largest park with 5-mile loop along Tumalo Creek and the canyon rim.

Benham Falls: Start at the Benham Falls East Trailhead for the relaxing 1.7-mile round trip hike. Cross a wooden bridge to enjoy stunning views of ancient lava flows, the forest and Deschutes River.

Deer Lake: The 4-mile trail is in a shady forest canopy. It starts at Little Cultus Lake and ends at Deer Lake.

Deschutes River Trail: An epic 20-mile hike from Sunriver’s Circle 7 on the Deschutes River Trail will take you to Bend’s Old Mill District. Arrange a ride back to Sunriver. Or park near the Old Mill and discover several trails along the Deschutes River.

Fall River Trail: Start at the headwaters of the spring-fed river for this easy 5.9-mile out and back trail that meanders next to Fall River. Options for shorter hikes.

Green Lakes: 9-miles round trip. Follow the trail along Fall Creek with its roaring waterfalls, cross narrow wooden bridges to a lava flow canyon and finally a wildflower meadow to Green Lakes.

Paulina Creek Falls: Start at the Peter Skene Ogden trailhead for the 5-mile round trip hike.

Paulina Lake Loop: It’s an 8 -mile hike along the lake where you will find a hot spring and magnificent views. Have lunch at the lodge. Cool off in the lake.

Soda Creek and Lower Crater Creek Falls: 4.5 miles round trip travels through shaded forests and meadows before reaching Lower Crater Creek Falls. Good family hike.

Sparks Lake: The Ray Atkeson Memorial Trail is a 2.5-mile loop with stunning views of South Sister, Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor.

Todd Lake Loop Trail: Easy almost 2-mile walk around the lake. Bring a picnic or go swimming or kayaking after your hike.

Tumalo Falls: An almost 7-mile loop beginning at Tumalo Falls parking lot. Extend the hike to go to Happy Valley.

Lava Cast Forest: The paved 1-mile interpretive loop trail allows you to discover the strange world of tree molds formed 7,000 years ago by molten lava.

Lava Lands Visitor Center: Hike to the top of Lava Butte or explore the Trail of the Molten Land.

Lava River Cave: Explore the lava tube, great escape on hot days. Reservations are required.

Newberry National Volcanic Monument has more than 100 miles of trails including Peter Skene Ogden Trail, Paulina Lakeshore Loop, Little Crater, Big Obsidian Flow, Paulina Peak, Paulina Falls, Lost Lake, Cinder Hill and Crater Rim.

Smith Rock State Park: One of the Seven Wonders of Oregon, plan to visit Smith Rock State Park. There are several hiking trails, including Misery Ridge, Crooked River and Summit Loop.

Tam MacArthur Rim: The 5-mile round trip hike provides stunning views of Three Creeks lakes and Cascade Mountain Range.

Anns Butte: The 4.5-mile loop trail has two peaks with a saddle between them.

Black Butte: The view from the top is worth every step in this challenging 4-mile round trip hike.

Broken Top: Start at Todd Lake to hike to No Name Lake and then to crater’s rim. Pack a lunch to enjoy the view at the top. About 15 miles out and back.

Mt. Bachelor Summit: Step into the heart of Oregon’s wilderness and start your trek at one o

Mt. Bachelor’s curated hiking trails: From volcanic lava fields to blooming wildflowers and ancient White Bark Pine trees, every section of trail is photo-worthy. The new Evergreen trail marks the first designated multi-use easy hiking and downhill bike trail, spanning just under 4.5 miles from the West Village base area to Pine Marten Lodge. This trail provides sweeping views

of surrounding mountains and lakes.

Pilot Butte: There are three trails to reach the top of the old cinder cone.

South Sisters Summit: The 11-mile round trip hike requires endurance to reach the third highest peak in Oregon.

Three Sisters Loop is a 50-mile trek around the Three Sisters. Overnight adventure.

Tumalo Mountain: The 4-mile round trip is worth the views of the Cascade Mountains.

Wake Butte: An untamed recreation and scenic wonder with panoramic views.