Oktoberfest

Development Route / Bend, Oregon / Published: Jun 2022 / Updated: Mar 2026 / Directions

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Tumalo Falls

Route:

Loop | 29 mi

Gain:

1,800 ft

Surface:

80% gravel / dirt roads, 10% single-track, 10% paved

Technical Difficulty:

Moderate

Navigation:

Attention Required

Locale:

Urban Backcountry

Tire Suggestion:

45mm +

Options:

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Wow! We need to do a complete rewrite of this route. Within the last 18 months, the original routes has been significantly affected by the decommissioning of the “COD Wimp-Out” road and the closure of Skyline Forest to public recreational use. For these reasons, we have reclassified the route as Development. The map and GPX file are accurate for riding and downloading, but the picture deck is not 100% representative of the ride. (Instead of going through Skyline Forest, you now take Jack Pine Road to reach the end of Skyliner Road. This road has been greatly improved due to logging activity but is steeper than the original route.)

We recommend this route as a fall or spring route, not a summertime route. The colors are best in the spring and fall and the road conditions are much better, firm with the moisture and cool evenings.

Map

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

GPX Download

(Version 0.4)

Caution! We do not provide turn-by-turn directions in our GPX files. Those are auto-generated by your bike computer and are usually less than 70% accurate. Learn more.

For help loading a GPX file onto your bike computer, go here.

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Ride Details

When We Like to Ride This

Spring or Fall, not summer — the moon dust can be brutal. The route needs moisture in the ground. Closed to access Dec 1 to March 31 for winter wildlife migration.

Terrain & Riding

This is one of our favorite routes to ride in the fall – the colors are in full show and the roads firm up with the moisture and colder nights.

The route crosses Tumalo Creek, climbs through the Two Bulls burn, parallels one of the old Tumalo canals, makes a “U” at Tumalo Falls, descends 3 miles of the Tumalo Creek Trail, and meanders through the Deschutes National Forest thinning project (a healthy beautiful forest now!).

Most of the terrain follows on wide gravel roads or double single-track forest roads. There is a section of single-track descending from Tumalo Falls that is rated as an “easy” mountain bike trail.

The Start

Lat / Long: 44.043498, -121.385350

Phil’s Trailhead parking area. Pit toilets.

Food & Water

None

Notes & Options

Route Notes

Revision History
- Version 3 (May 4, 2023): Skyline Forest closure re-route.
- Version 2 (Fall 2021): COD Wimp-Out road decommissioning re-route.

Comments

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Help Make this Guide Better!

At Dirty Freehub, we believe the best routes are organic and driven by the riding community. This route and guide are a work in progress, and we need your help to make it great!

Provide us with route feedback, both good and bad.

Let us know about points of interest and viewpoints,
Submit pictures and videos,
Suggest a best time to ride,
Let us know about a better or alternative option,
And tell us about your favorite place to go after the ride for a burger and beer.

Submit your feedback via the comments block (tab just above the map).

Videos

The Ride! Oktoberfest

A quick 2-minute video of what to expect on your ride!

Ridden and Reviewed by:

KevinE / Team Dirty Freehub

He should have “Never Stop Exploring” tattooed on his chest! He loves adventures on bikes and is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

Explore Similar Routes:

Deschutes National Forest Skyline Forest Waterfalls