Behold the most spectacular singletrack our Bend rider has ever found—and he had it nearly all to himself.

I’m not complaining about the hundreds of miles of singletrack we have here in Bend, but lately I’ve been looking for more of a backcountry mountain biking experience. Higher elevation trails like Southfork, Flagline, and Northfork provide that feeling somewhat, but often only for a few miles.

But what about feeling truly out there, remote, in my own isolated corner of the wilderness? What about a place where I’m as likely to encounter wild horses as other mountain bikers? This place does exist, and it isn’t too far from Bend. 

It’s called the Ochocos.

Our day mountain biking in the Ochocos

Roughly 35 miles east of Bend sits the community of Prineville. The Ochocho National Forest sits about 20 miles farther east. There you’ll find some of the most spectacular backcountry trails I’ve experienced. You can even go with guides who know the area inside and out and make the getting there and back easy, all of which leaves you to focus entirely on the riding. I went with Bend-based Cog Wild, which runs phenomenal trips to the area. 

A group of other riders and I set out with our guide early on a mission to ride the Round Mountain Trail and the Lookout Mountain Trail. This was a big day. Both trails have similar stats: 20 miles and nearly 4,000 feet of climbing. The trails aren’t wildly technical—I’d call them intermediate. Treat them like advanced rides. You’re a long way from help should things go sideways. 

The guides suggested I take things easy and so I did. You’re committed out here with few places to bail. I paced myself. I walked the steep climbs. I held back just a bit on the descents.

Mountain biking Round Mountain

Round Mountain trail ends at a trailhead, which is also the kickoff for the Lookout Mountain trail. Here you have the option to climb singletrack for about a mile or spin up a well maintained dirt road that isn’t much longer; we opted for the more gradual road.

The road passes an old homestead, complete with a cabin abandoned long ago. After a mile, we rejoined some singletrack and passed the remnants of the Mother Lode mine hidden in the forest. Established in 1899, miners found mercury there.

Aside from a few punchy pitches, the climb to the nearly 7,000-foot summit of Lookout Mountain was much more gentle than Round. As we neared the top, the trail became gradually more technical and the trees disappeared, giving way to sagebrush and views over the Ochocos.

The first descent on Lookout is chunky and technical, with sharp, rocky switchbacks. After a mile or so, the trail opens up a bit and gets significantly faster. But, like Round Mountain, it’s an off-camber trail with flat corners. 

Remember, this is backcountry riding: no berms.

Lookout Mountain has two more, short climbs, followed by descents. The trail down includes a couple of short climbs, but is mostly a fast downhill ride with a few rooty sections. Take care with your speed, especially the first time riding here. The turns happen fast.

But it is worth it. From the summit of Lookout Mountain to the end, we dropped over 3,000 feet. Not bad, considering we’re lucky to get 1,000 feet here in Bend.

More trails to ride in the Ochocos

Round and Lookout Mountain aren’t the only options in the Ochocos. On the northwest side of Highway 26 is Bandit Springs, another popular riding area. Two trails—Scotty Creek and Cougar Creek—circle Cougar Butte. Both are blue (intermediate) and both are a pretty big undertaking.

Cougar Creek Trail is a massive out-and-back: Nearly eight miles one way, the trail climbs 1,500 feet before dropping 2,300 feet on the way out. Expect the reverse of that on your way back. Feeling tired? You can turn back at any point.

Scotty Creek is a bit different. At just over four miles, Scotty Creek descends 2,200 feet and is mainly run as a shuttle trail. Return options after riding Scotty Creek are the eight-mile Cougar Creek singletrack or nearly ten miles on a service road. 

Regardless, you won’t be disappointed heading east to the Ochocos. Be prepared, take it easy, and enjoy the remote Central Oregon backcountry.