The Painted Hills – Photo by Chantal Anderson
Two wheels, meet our 7 Wonders.
The 7 Wonders of Oregon — seven of our state’s most unique, most dazzling sights and experiences — draw visitors from around the state and around the world by plane, train and automobile. But our wonders are meant to be encountered, not just looked at. So while you’re here, why not also explore them on your bike?
Some of the wonders, such as the Oregon Coast and the Columbia River Gorge, are bikeable themselves. Others, including the Painted Hills and Smith Rock, welcome cyclists with nearby mountain biking trails and wide-open, low-traffic roads.
Here’s how to experience the 7 Wonders of Oregon by bike:
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the country, and it’s surrounded by tall cliffs that make up the Crater Lake Rim Route. This spectacular 32-mile road route encircles the lake and offers amazing views of its deep blue waters. Every year on the third weekend of September, most of the road is closed to vehicles, making this already-incredible ride even more special for cyclists.
Another bucket-list-worthy cycling experience meets a second Oregon wonder on the Oregon Coast. Riders trekking down the Oregon Coast Route from Astoria to Brookings are a common sight come summertime, but the full route isn’t the only way to experience our glittering shoreline. You can also ride a fat-tire bike on its sand dunes and hard-packed shorelines, or simply cruise through its dozens of quaint coastal towns.
The majestic Columbia River Gorge is the nation’s largest National Scenic Area. You can cycle along this wonder on the 73-mile Historic Columbia River Highway, or take to the hills — Gorge mountain biking is some of the best you’ll find anywhere.
Eastern Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains are a sight to behold. Pass beneath their towering summits on the Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway, or catch glimpses of them between the trees as you shred through the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest’s Redmont and Wagon Road trail systems.
Mt. Hood, the highest peak in the state, isn’t only a hot spot for skiers, hikers and climbers — it’s also a premier Oregon mountain biking destination, with flowing single-track at the Sandy Ridge area, ski lift access at Ski Bowl, and miles and miles of alpine and subalpine trails throughout the national forest.
One of three units of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, the aptly named Painted Hills, look like they were brushed onto the horizon. Roll past these beauties, stained in sunset-colored striations, on routes along the Ochoco Highway through the small town of Mitchell. There are also plenty of mountain biking opportunities in the nearby Ochoco and Malheur National Forests. You’ll find the closest trail at Fields Peak.
A second Scenic Bikeway takes its inspiration from another Oregon wonder: the stunning Smith Rock, a world-famous rock-climbing destination and the site of Smith Rock State Park. The Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway makes a perfect 74-mile out-and-back route, or a great 37-mile point-to-point day trip with a support vehicle. While you’re in the region, stop through Bend, Central Oregon’s most populous city, and add the 36-mile Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway to your itinerary. This gorgeous loop starts and ends in Bend’s Drake Park, just 26 miles from Smith Rock.
Of course, you’ll find amazing riding all across Oregon. Wherever you end up, you can design your own cycling adventure by using our Find a Ride feature to key in on nearby trails and roads.
Learn more about the 7 Wonders of Oregon
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