The Longest Bike Trail In The State, The Oregon Timber Trail Takes You On A Beautiful Month-Long Journey
By Catherine Armstrong|Published June 20, 2020
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Oregon’s climate and terrain make for some truly great mountain biking, and you’ll find great trails all over the state. The Oregon Timber Trail is an epic bike trail that spans almost the entire state. It’s an incredible journey to take over the course of 20-30 days, or you can just bike one of its four sections for a shorter adventure. Take a look:
The Oregon Timber Trail is absolutely epic. It spans 669 miles, from the Oregon/California border to Hood River.
...and challenge yourself in ways you never thought possible. The Oregon Timber Trail is difficult, and most of it isn't suitable for beginning riders, but if you have the skills, it's the ride of a lifetime.
People who ride the trail spend months planning. Much like hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, the Oregon Timber Trail requires you to carry all the gear you'll need for at least 20 days on your bike. It's a rugged adventure without many amenities or services.
The trail is divided into four different sections. The Fremont section starts at Oregon's southern border and goes north for 207 miles. It's the most remote section, and the most difficult, with an elevation gain of 23,000 feet.
The Deschutes Tier is 113 miles long, and its scenery includes views of many of Oregon's most stunning mountains, including the Three Sisters, Mount Bachelor, and Mount Washington.
The Hood Tier is 200 miles long, with a 26,000-foot elevation gain. Views of Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson make way for a steep descent into the Columbia River Valley.
Throughout this journey, you'll witness some of Oregon's most incredible natural beauty. In some places, the trail is very remote; in others, you'll find towns and popular recreation spots.
While taking a month off to ride the trail sounds amazing, you can also enjoy small sections of it. Each tier takes a week or less to complete, and there are trailheads throughout that make it possible to hop on for a day-long ride.
For some inspiration, watch this video posted on YouTube by Jonas M. It shows three Norwegian friends taking the entire trail.
Learn more about the Oregon Timber Trail on the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance’s website, and follow its Facebook page for inspiration! We’d love to hear from you if you’ve ever biked some or all of this trail – tell us about your adventure in the comments.
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