Recommended Hikes

Whether you’re aiming to walk off calories or work up a thirst, there is no shortage of hikes to enjoy when visiting Bend. Here are a few outstanding options.

Misery Ridge Loop Trail: Don’t worry about the name. This steep, 4-mile trail at Smith Rock State Park winds its way up volcanic rock to a stunning view from spires above 3,000 feet in elevation. Along the trail, watch for eagles, rock climbers, and the occasional river otter. Trail of the Molten Land: Central Oregon is a land formed by volcanic activity, and educational signs along this short paved trail through a lava field in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument offer a fascinating primer on the region’s geography. Shevlin Park Loop Trail: Wander through old-growth forests of ponderosa pine and aspen without leaving the city on this 6-mile trail. Swampy Lakes Loop: After a heavy winter snowfall, rent snowshoes and make tracks to a warming hut, complete with a woodstove, on this 4-mile loop from Swampy Lakes Sno-park: Don’t forget to pack in cans of beer and to buy a sno-park permit when you rent snowshoes.