Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about mountain biking around Bend, Oregon?
What do the difficulty symbols mean?
- Green Green circle trails are easiest and most beginner-friendly. They tend to be wider with limited technical sections and may include optional obstacles, such as rocks, roots, and small drops.
- Blue Blue square trails are suitable for intermediate riders. They feature some steeper slopes, unavoidable obstacles such as roots, rocks, and medium drops.
- Black Black diamond trails are for advanced riders. They feature incresingly steeper slopes, include many sections of technical features, rock gardens, difficult jumps, large drops, and sharp corners.
- Double-Black Double-Black diamond trails are expert-level, are very steep and technical, requiring highly advanced skills and balance to clear obstacles safely.
Are E-Bikes allowed on trails?
Some trails around Bend, Oregon and within the Deschutes National Forest allow Class 1 Pedal Assist bikes, but are prohibited from December 1st through March 31st in order to adhere to the Winter Range Closure Season in support of critical deer and elk habitat.
Each trail on this site is denoted with an icon indicating either:
- Class 1 e-bikes are allowed from April through November.
- E-bikes of any kind are not allowed.
Class 1, pedal assist e-bikes provide assistance only when the rider pedals. Assistance stops when the bike reaches 20 miles per hour. E-bikes that are modified and no longer fit the criteria described above are no longer considered class 1, pedal-assist e-bikes and therefore would not be authorized for use on trails.
More information can be obtained from the US Forest Service website.
When is the best time to visit Bend for mountain biking?
Late-Spring and Fall tend to see our trails in the best shape. Summer months are hot and dry, which can turn the trails to very soft sand and Winter through Spring can see the trails either covered in snow, mud, fallen trees, or ice.
Who manages the trails?
Trails within Central Oregon are created and maintained by Central Oregon Trail Alliance, with approval and oversight by the USFS.
Areas outside of the inner central Oregon area are managed by similar organizations like Salem Area Trail Alliance