If you’re visiting Bend, make sure not to miss Tumalo Falls. It’s beautiful and easily accessible. If you’re a little more adventurous, start your mountain bike ride here and cruise all the way into downtown Bend on Mrazek trail.
Distance: 22 mi
Time: 3 hr
Elevation Gain: 1,420 ft
Trailhead: Tumalo Falls
Route Finding Skills: Moderate
Physical Exertion Skills: Moderate
Map
Getting there: Head west out of Bend on Skyliner Rd. You’ll eventually come to a bridge across the creek, and the road turns to dirt at the Y. Make a left and follow signs to Tumalo Falls. Just before you cross the creek to the main trailhead for Tumalo Falls, there is a trail on your right with a sign marked Farewell Trail. Head up, and up, and up some more. This trail is 3.2 miles of steep switchbacks, and is not for the faint of heart!
You will finally intersect with the Mrazek trail, and from here take a right and you’ll enjoy 10-12 miles of mostly downhill! You’ll cross through a few dirt roads, but the trail is always marked. There are a few spots where the brush gets tight and a few picturesque spots as well. You also go through an old burn area at one point.
This trail lands right in Shevlin Park. You can ride out the paved road that is closed to cars but open to bikers and walkers until you meet the main road. At the main road, make a right, and Shevlin Park road will take you right into downtown Bend.
Please note that this trail is not a loop, you will need to do a car drop!
PROS:
- Mostly downhill
- Great views
CONS:
- Rough switchbacks in the beginning
- Trail easily gets overgrown in parts
THE SPLIT DECISION:
Jay’s Take: “The switchbacks in the beginning are no joke. I really didn’t love Mrazek trail because it was pretty tight in sections. I ended up hitting my handlebars on a tight tree as well. My arms were really tired after this ride. It isn’t my goto one-way route in Bend, but I am glad I did it once.”
Tyese’s Take: “You know, I’m glad we did this, but it isn’t on my list to do again soon. The switchbacks up were pretty brutal, and at the time we did it, parts of Mrazek were tight and there was a lot of brush that scratched my arm. #firstworldproblems I know! It was still an adventure and worth doing at least once!”
