Top 5 Mountain Bike Trails in Bend Oregon As An Enduro Rider (UPDATED…)
Bend Oregon is a mountain bike mecca and for good reason. But enduro mountain bike riding may not be your first thought when you think of Bend, Oregon however. The trails in and around Bend are more or less Cross Country trails. But, if you know where to look, you can find some seriously fun rides to scratch that enduro itch WITHOUT driving away from the amazing city of Bend! Keep reading below to get insider tips on your next amazing Bend, Oregon mountain bike getaway! Let’s get into it!
If you’re interested in reading the full original article that includes all the reasons why Bend Oregon should be your next mountain bike vacation destination, go check out the original article here! You will also find a complete breakdown for each of the trails listed in this article. But, since this is an Update, I just want to provide the details for the updated information here! The trails listed below are in order of my personal favorite.
The Top 5 Enduro Trails (Updated):
Farewell- TrailForks Link
South Fork Trail- TrailForks Link
YOUTUBE VIDEO COMING SOON!
3. (UPDATE!) Cline Buttes-TrailForks Link
WATCH ON YOUTUBE!
a. Trail Details: This trail system is lesser known than many of the other trails in the area in my opinion. It sits closer to Redmond than Bend, but from downtown Bend it is still only a 20-25 minute drive depending on traffic. This system is not for the faint of heart. It is STEEP and it is ROCKY! This is not a beginner friendly riding destination. Intermediate to Advanced riders will have the most fun here without a doubt. This is an excellent place to practice the “pre-ride, re- ride, free ride” mentality. The Cline Buttes downhill trails are FAR STEEPER and TECHNICAL than ANYTHING else we have come across in the Bend area (with the exception of Mt Bachelor Downhill Park). DH1 is the easiest of the 3 trails titled “DH#”. DH3 is the next easiest followed by DH2. This would be the order to ride in my opinion, however DH1 was our personal favorite between DH1 and DH3. All that to say, this is an insanely fun place to ride! The laps are short and the climb (if following the map below) is relatively easy. Not to mention, the views from the top are insane! On a clear day you can see all the major peaks out to Mt Hood! This system is hands down the most true enduro in the area when talking about steep, loose, and technical. There is an XC loop as well as some blue downhill trails that look fun, but we have not yet ridden those. The only reason it is rated as number 3 is because the laps are short. There is private property located within the trail system, so do be mindful of this, particularly if you are riding with a trail dog. The link above to TrailForks shows all the private property areas.
b. Parking: There is a large dirt parking lot accessed by a gravel/ dirt road. 4x4 is not required to reach this trail head however a very low clearance vehicle may need to take extra caution on the access road.
c. Toilets: None available
d. Route Recommendation: To keep things simple follow the directions on the map below for how to climb to the downhill trails. In short, go through the gate and turn left and follow the trails that parallel the road until you reach a nice pea gravel climbing road. There is a second climbing option to the right of the parking lot that is a bit shorter but MUCH steeper an rockier and will provide a more rugged climb if that is your thing. From the top I recommend starting with DH1 climbing back up and hitting DH3. This is a good option if looking to increase difficulty with each lap. If not, I highly recommend DH1 twice. The first laps to get familiar and the second or more laps to really shred!
Yellow marking depicts climbing route
4. Tiddlywinks (Lower)- TrailForks Link
5. Funner- TrailForks Link
YOUTUBE VIDEO COMING SOON!
What trail lost it’s top 5 position pick?
That trail would be the very famous Whoops and Upper Phil’s trails. Now, these trails were not booted because they are bad. In fact, these trails are absolute must rides if you come to Bend! These trails are just simply less fitting to what classic enduro riding is when compared to these other trails. But, if you are looking for an easy pedal with an insane amount of reward and fun factor, or just in need of a shorter ride, these trails are absolutely a go to staple of the area!
Here are the details:
Whoops (Upper and Lower)/ Upper Phil’s Trail- TrailForks Links
WATCH THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO FOR UPPER/ LOWER WHOOPS
WATCH THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO FOR UPPER PHIL’S!
Post Adventure Brews And Food:
No adventure or ride is complete without some excellent food and ice cold beverage to wash it down! Here are my 3 favorites food plus beer locations!
Monkless Belgian Ales- Amazing beer is an understatement! The atmosphere is also really fun an inviting. They serve incredible food as well that is very filling. I do recommend their Bavarian Pretzel. It’s literally the best pretzel I have ever had!
Miyagi Ramen- Incredibly delicious and filling bowls of Ramen. They have some meat skewers that are to die for as well (especially the beef). They serve Asian beers in cans that I personally think are great after a day of riding since they tend to be a lighter crisper beer such as Singha. But, if that isn’t your thing, this is quite literally across the street from Monkless Belgian Ales to grab a brew!
The Podski- This is a unique and fun spot and a location that makes Bend famous! Its effectively a collection of food trucks surrounding a seating area. There is everything from authentic Thai food to sushi to Italian to vegan food. Something for everyone here. There is even a bar that serves lots of local beers on draught in some tall mugs!
Best part about all these? They are are located next to each other so its easy to grab food at one, beer at another, and dessert at the last! There really are countless good options, these are my current favorites however!
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Looking for enduro worthy trails in a city famous for its flowy XC mountain bike riding? In this guide, I reveal my updated top 5 favorite Enduro flavored mountain bike trails in Bend, Oregon as the 2025 MTB season is coming to a close! Plus, get the best spots to refuel with craft beer and local eats after your ride! Click to read the full article and discover the top 5 trails (and best local spots) that make Bend a dream destination for mountain bikers.