Open in the App

Smith Rock Loop
Madras, OR, US

Route Overview

Cycle Oregon

Building Community Through Cycling

Ambassador
64 mi.
3,035 ft.

“High Desert Highlights”

Start the morning taking in breathtaking views of Lake Billy Chinook. Cruise past rich agricultural tracks through Culver, and then test your vertigo looking over the steeply carved sides of Crooked River Canyon. From there it’s off to world-renowned Smith Rock State Park, where craggy spires rise from the riverbank and climbers look like tiny specks on the walls. Enjoy a little-used stretch of the Old Culver Highway on the way back to Madras.

Send to Device Advanced Export View Standard Route (with cuesheet)

Route Details

Interested?

Want to ride this?

Put it on your bucket list and we'll help you celebrate.

Add to bucket list

Just save a link

Getting back to this route is easy with pinning. ()

Add to pinned

Share and promote

Cycle Oregon would love your help bringing this route to a wider audience.

Other routes by Cycle Oregon

Tygh Valley to Madras

77 mi 6,013 ft
Cycle Oregon

Building Community Through Cycling

77 mi 6,013 ft
Wasco County, OR, US
Paved

This route includes plenty of the windy wide-open. After a “good morning-legs” climb leaving Tyg... more

This route includes plenty of the windy wide-open. After a “good morning-legs” climb leaving Tygh Valley, head to the Warm Springs Reservation for a taste of the high desert. Big rollers will make you appreciate gravity’s power, and you just might see wild horses. Kah-Nee-Tah Resort provides an oasis; in the afternoon enjoy splendid views of Pelton Dam and Lake Simtustus before taking on one of the toughest climbs in Oregon before finishing in Madras. (less)

Wasco County, OR, US

This route includes plenty of the windy wide-open. After a “good morning-legs” climb leaving Tygh Valley, head to the Warm Springs Reservation for a taste of the high desert. Big rollers will make you appr...more

This route includes plenty of the windy wide-open. After a “good morning-legs” climb leaving Tygh Valley, head to the Warm Springs Reservation for a taste of the high desert. Big rollers will make you appreciate gravity’s power, and you just might see wild horses. Kah-Nee-Tah Resort provides an oasis; in the afternoon enjoy splendid views of Pelton Dam and Lake Simtustus before taking on one of the toughest climbs in Oregon before finishing in Madras. (less)

Halfway to Wallowa Lake

77 mi 6,988 ft
Cycle Oregon

Building Community Through Cycling

77 mi 6,988 ft
Halfway, OR, US
Paved

“Triple High-Pass” This ride is a challenge. There are three – feel ‘em, three – major climbs... more

“Triple High-Pass”

This ride is a challenge. There are three – feel ‘em, three – major climbs, plus a bonus hill for masochists. Leaving Pine Valley, you’ll climb into the Wallowas, passing through multiple vegetation zones, but relax into it – the scenery makes it worthwhile. It’s your choice whether to propel up to the stunning Hells Canyon Overlook. Descend to the Imnaha River, then climb some more before soaking in the views along Little Sheep Creek, into Joseph and along the edge of Wallowa Lake. (less)

Halfway, OR, US

“Triple High-Pass” This ride is a challenge. There are three – feel ‘em, three – major climbs, plus a bonus hill for masochists. Leaving Pine Valley, you’ll climb into the Wallowas, passing through multi...more

“Triple High-Pass”

This ride is a challenge. There are three – feel ‘em, three – major climbs, plus a bonus hill for masochists. Leaving Pine Valley, you’ll climb into the Wallowas, passing through multiple vegetation zones, but relax into it – the scenery makes it worthwhile. It’s your choice whether to propel up to the stunning Hells Canyon Overlook. Descend to the Imnaha River, then climb some more before soaking in the views along Little Sheep Creek, into Joseph and along the edge of Wallowa Lake. (less)

Alsea Falls Loop (Corvallis/OSU)

68 mi 3,935 ft
Cycle Oregon

Building Community Through Cycling

68 mi 3,935 ft
Corvallis, OR, US
Paved

“Westward Exploration” This route explores the western edges of the Willamette Valley, and eve... more

“Westward Exploration”

This route explores the western edges of the Willamette Valley, and even into the Coast Range a bit. The route passes in the shadow of majestic Marys Peak, enters the deep-forest setting of Alsea Falls, and returns via Alpine and Bellfountain roads. (less)

Corvallis, OR, US

“Westward Exploration” This route explores the western edges of the Willamette Valley, and even into the Coast Range a bit. The route passes in the shadow of majestic Marys Peak, enters the deep-forest se...more

“Westward Exploration”

This route explores the western edges of the Willamette Valley, and even into the Coast Range a bit. The route passes in the shadow of majestic Marys Peak, enters the deep-forest setting of Alsea Falls, and returns via Alpine and Bellfountain roads. (less)

Powers to Riddle

77 mi 5,908 ft
Cycle Oregon

Building Community Through Cycling

77 mi 5,908 ft
Powers, OR, US
Paved

“Stairway to Heaven” This is a quintessential Oregon forest ride. Climb gradually under a shad... more

“Stairway to Heaven”

This is a quintessential Oregon forest ride. Climb gradually under a shady green canopy, alongside a boulder-strewn stream, then turn toward the sky for a sturdy climb past waterfalls, before smoothing out for a glide into the aptly named Eden Valley. After lunch the major climb of the day awaits, but the serene surroundings offer a worthwhile trade-off. And it’s (nearly) all downhill after that, including an amazingly smooth run-in that follows Cow Creek for miles of pick-your-pace pedaling. (less)

Powers, OR, US

“Stairway to Heaven” This is a quintessential Oregon forest ride. Climb gradually under a shady green canopy, alongside a boulder-strewn stream, then turn toward the sky for a sturdy climb past waterfalls...more

“Stairway to Heaven”

This is a quintessential Oregon forest ride. Climb gradually under a shady green canopy, alongside a boulder-strewn stream, then turn toward the sky for a sturdy climb past waterfalls, before smoothing out for a glide into the aptly named Eden Valley. After lunch the major climb of the day awaits, but the serene surroundings offer a worthwhile trade-off. And it’s (nearly) all downhill after that, including an amazingly smooth run-in that follows Cow Creek for miles of pick-your-pace pedaling. (less)

Aufderheide (Oakridge to Rainbow)

65 mi 3,852 ft
Cycle Oregon

Building Community Through Cycling

65 mi 3,852 ft
Oakridge, OR, US
Paved

“Magic Carpet Ride”  This route is another of Oregon’s signature rides: Aufderheide Memorial ... more

“Magic Carpet Ride” 

This route is another of Oregon’s signature rides: Aufderheide Memorial Drive. This smooth and sinuous road unrolls in front of you like a black carpet through a lush green world. The babble of a running river (the route follows water virtually all day) is your soundtrack as you ascend for 35 miles — so gradually you’ll barely notice. Then it’s one short, stout climb before the carpet flows down the other side, passing bucolic Cougar Reservoir on the way. (less)

Oakridge, OR, US

“Magic Carpet Ride”  This route is another of Oregon’s signature rides: Aufderheide Memorial Drive. This smooth and sinuous road unrolls in front of you like a black carpet through a lush green world. Th...more

“Magic Carpet Ride” 

This route is another of Oregon’s signature rides: Aufderheide Memorial Drive. This smooth and sinuous road unrolls in front of you like a black carpet through a lush green world. The babble of a running river (the route follows water virtually all day) is your soundtrack as you ascend for 35 miles — so gradually you’ll barely notice. Then it’s one short, stout climb before the carpet flows down the other side, passing bucolic Cougar Reservoir on the way. (less)

C2C Bike Route

56 mi 4,539 ft
Cycle Oregon

Building Community Through Cycling

56 mi 4,539 ft
Corvallis, OR, US
Mixed surfaces

(less)

Corvallis, OR, US

(less)