SKYLINER TO TOWN: BEND

If you’re heading back from checking out Tumalo Falls, get dropped off at Skyliner Sno-Park for an awesome downhill mountain bike ride right into town. This ride takes you through tall pine trees and links up with the Lower Whoops trail as well.

Distance: 15 mi
Time: 1.5-2 hr
Elevation Gain: 581 ft
Trailhead: Skyliner Sno Park
Route Finding Skills: Easy
Physical Exertion Skills: Moderate
Map

Getting there: Take Skyliner Road up towards Tumalo Falls. Before you hit the bridge, Skyliner Sno-Park will be on your left. Park here and prepare for fun!

Head straight up from the parking lot on Skyliners Trail, and stay on this for about 3.3 miles until you hit a dirt road. A lot of trails meet here, so you’ll be looking for Lower Whoops, just across the road from where you pop out. Head down Lower Whoops for an awesome 1.8 miles of fun and 442 ft of descending.

When you get to the next dirt road at the bottom of Lower Whoops, turn right and follow the dirt road or hop onto EXT which parallels the road, for 0.5 miles. From here turn left on Phil’s Trail and enjoy almost 6 miles of downhill to the main parking area. We hopped onto Kent’s Trail for the final four miles, but you can also stay on Phil’s, which is a one-way down.

If you want to head towards the Welcome Center instead of going back to town, check out our Wanoga to Welcome Center ride, and link up with Voodoo trail instead.

When you finish Kent’s trail and land in the main parking area for Phil’s trailhead, ride out the road and make a right on Skyliner road. From here you can ride straight to downtown Bend. You’ll even ride right past 10 Barrel Brewery! Note that if you parked a car when you started, it will be to your left. As this route is not designed to be a loop, a car drop will be needed!

THE SPLIT DECISION:

Jay’s Take: “This is my favorite mountain bike route near Bend. It is so much fun! I love hitting the jumps on Whoops trail… getting to do Whoops without the elevation gain is a bonus.”

Tyese’s Take: “I thoroughly enjoyed this route. It was straightforward and fun, and didn’t actually take up much time! I’d make this a regular when I wanted a downhill ride!”