A pro’s guide to Bend gravel: Routes for every rider

One of the things I love most about gravel riding is the sense of adventure, opening a map, building a route, and not quite knowing how it will unfold. Sometimes it’s perfect. Sometimes it’s not.

I began gravel riding before gravel riding was even a thing as I looked for ways to link paved roads with dirt and gravel connectors between Sisters and Sunriver. Almost two decades later I am still finding new cut-throughs and connectors. 

Gravel riding in Bend means big mountain views, loose volcanic soil, and a mix of smooth flow and rugged, technical sections that keep things interesting. The routes below all start from downtown Bend, but you can easily adapt depending on where you’re staying. 

To help you lean into your own sense of adventure, whatever that means to you, I’m sharing a few of my favorite go-to rides from Bend so you can skip the second-guessing and just enjoy the ride. Ride these routes as written, or use them as a starting point to create your own.

Best gravel rides near Bend, according to me

Wednesdays

Distance: 30 miles
Elevation: 2400 ft
Surface: Pavement, maintained and unmaintained Forest Service roads with sand and embedded rock
Tire Choice: 40-50mm
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Why do this ride: While you are never ever far from Bend, this ride makes you feel like you are a world away. Few people find their way to these less maintained roads so it is perfect for a mini-adventure. 

This route leaves Bend and follows the paved bike path along Century Drive to the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station. After a quick mile on Century Drive beyond the station, you’ll turn right onto maintained, and less maintained, Forest Service roads towards the Virginia Meissner Sno-Park. A short out-and-back detour up FS 4615-250 at mile 17.25 will take you up to the Shooting Star Shelter for a great view of the Tumalo Creek Drainage. Find the route on Strava here.

Todd Lake

Distance: 67 miles
Elevation: 5100 ft
Surface: Pavement, maintained and unmaintained FS roads with sand and embedded rock, challenging climbing, descending, relatively remote.
Tire Choice: 45-50mm
Difficulty level: Advanced
Why do this ride: A big day with a big reward! If you like a whole lot of fun and little bit of underbiking—tackling technical terrain your bike wasn’t really designed for—this ride is for you. Unexpected wild flower meadows, a few stream crossings (all ridable), and views of Broken Top are well worth all the climbing this route throws at you.

Leaving town and rolling through Shevlin Park, this ride takes you up the Jack Pine Spring road to the 4601 road, where a steep and exposed gravel climb awaits. This climb is one that features in many versions of the Oregon Trail Gravel 5-Stage race and has often been decisive. From there, you continue to climb to an elevation of 7,000 feet along a less maintained Forest Service road that can be sandy, rocky, and loose depending on recent weather conditions. At mile 24, you have an optional out-and-back to the Broken Top Trailhead and the edge of the Three Sisters Wilderness boundary. The next five miles down towards Todd Lake is a 4-wheel-drive double-track. Keep your eyes up here, this section will test your skills and your brakes. From here, the hard work is done, but you still have more than 37 miles before you are back in town. Find the route on Strava here.

Tumalo Roubaix

Distance: 35 miles
Elevation: 1600 ft
Surface: Pavement, county maintained gravel roads
Tire Choice: 32-45mm 
Difficulty level: Beginner, intermediate
Why do this ride: This route provides some unexpected fun and brilliant views of the Three Sisters, linking up sections of paved road and taking the long way around the very popular Twin Bridges Oregon Cycling Route. I love this ride because it adds a bit of spice to the typical road ride, is fast and flat, and riding on red cinder is exceptional.

This route leaves Bend and heads north toward the hamlet of Tumalo and the Maston Trail System using as many gravel sectors as possible. If you are an experienced rider, you can do this route on a road bike with 32mm tires, but you’ll have more fun on a wider tire. There are a few sections that will challenge the skills of a new gravel rider, but they are flat with little consequence. This is a great shoulder season/winter ride as it is snow-free more of the year. Find the route on Strava here. 

To the Bakery

Distance: 56 miles
Elevation: 2700 ft
Surface: Pavement, well maintained gravel roads
Tire Choice: 32-45 mm 
Difficulty level: Beginner, intermediate
Why do this ride: Destination rides are so much fun, especially when there are pastries and donuts on the agenda. Sisters Bakery, located right on Main Street in Sisters, has been around for more than 45 years for a reason. Brilliant views of snow covered peaks, smooth gravel roads, and a chocolate glazed old fashion: That’s a triple win! 

Leaving Bend and heading north toward the town of Sisters, this is a classic gravel ride before we even had gravel bikes. For an experienced rider, this route is very doable on a road bike but more fun on a gravel bike. You will be on pavement until mile 12 when you reach Tumalo Reservoir and Sisemore Road. The views of the Skyline Forest and the Three Sisters Wilderness will greet you as you make your way to the Sisters Bakery, a classic Central Oregon cycling destination. On the return route, you will again ride Sisemore Road but also be treated to a few other gravel sectors as you head back to Bend. This is a great shoulder season ride with awesome views. Find the route on Strava here.

Hot Lap

Distance: 13 miles
Elevation: 650 ft
Surface: Pavement, Forest Service Road, double track, single track
Tire Choice: 38-45 mm 
Difficulty level: Beginner, intermediate
Why do this ride: This ride is a gateway to Bend gravel, offering a little bit of everything: doubletrack, singletrack, forest service roads, a ripping, paved return to town, and the beauty of Shevlin Park, a nearly 1,000-acre natural area that supports both wildlife and year-round recreation. In the fall, the larches and aspens are on display. Expect to take lots of pictures.

The perfect introduction to Bend gravel riding and a daily afterwork loop for many, Hot Lap heads out along the upper edge of Shevlin Park to Forest Service Road 4606, where you can jump on a sweet section of non-technical single track or stay on the road as make your way back to Skyliners Road. From there, it is all fast, paved, downhill fun back to town. Find the route on Strava here.

Do I need a special bike for gravel riding near Bend?

While some sections are doable on a road bike, these routes are best done on a gravel bike with disc brakes and tubeless tires. Mountain bikes will work, too. They’re just big and slow and require more effort.

Can I get cell service while gravel riding near Bend?

Don’t count on it. While you are never too far from home, there is limited cell service on a few of these routes and some roads are difficult for cars to drive on, meaning, if you need help or extraction, it could be a long wait. 

What should I bring on a gravel ride near Bend?

Carry enough food, water, and basic repair tools. Always wear a helmet and I recommend long fingered gloves, for sun protection, comfort and crash protection (no one wants a palm full of gravel if you were to crash).

Here is a list of what I carry with me on all training rides: 

Multi-tool
Pump
Tube
Electronic Mini Pump or CO2 cartridge & CO2 inflator head
Tire plugs (if tubeless)
Tire boot or GU wrapper 
Tire lever
Tweezers
Pocket knife
Extra valve core
Quick link
Spare battery (HR monitor, power meter, drivetrain)
Latex gloves
Sunscreen
Cash or credit card

If you’re still hungry for more, this gravel cycling guide from Dirty Freehub is worth a read before you head out.