The Deschutes River has many moods, at times flowing glassily between meadowed shores, and elsewhere churning angrily down lava canyons. Just minutes from Bend, this convenient trail explores both of the river’s humors. Although the path is 8.7 miles from end to end, half a dozen access points along the way make it easy to sample the route in segments. The moody river serves as a reliable landmark throughout. Mountain bikes are allowed on most of the path, but to reduce conflicts the Forest Service prefers that they use instead the designated, gated backroads shown on the map. Horse riders have their own trail a few hundred feet above the hiker path. From exit . . .

Other Options

If Benham Falls is your goal, an easy and popular alternative is to . . .

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes : Central Oregon Cascades