Madras Mtn Views Scenic Bikeway

Madras, OR, US

Route Overview

Oregon Scenic Bikeways

The Best of Oregon Riding

29 mi.
1,175 ft.

The Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway is a peaceful 30-mile loop through Central Oregon. Starting and ending in Madras, it offers amazing views of Oregon’s volcanoes and agricultural and pastoral scenery showcases basalt palisades, many of the majestic Cascade Mountains, and Lake Billy Chinook.

Route Details

Oregon Scenic Bikeways

Oregon Scenic Bikeways are a superb collection of cycling routes that inspire people to experience Oregon's natural beauty and cultural heritage by bicycle, and that offer economic and social benefits to the state's communities and residents. The program is administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Trip Planning Resources

Downloadable map and cue sheet for the Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway.

Visit RideOregonRide for videos and photos, guide and shuttle companies, cycling events, attractions, lodging, Bike Friendly business locations, and more.

Information about road conditions from Oregon Department of Transportation's TripCheck.

Route Description

The Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway is a peaceful 30-mile loop through Central Oregon. It offers amazing views of Oregon’s volcanoes and agricultural and pastoral scenery passing and showcasing basalt palisades above the Deschutes and Crooked Rivers and the farms and ranches of Jefferson County.

The Bikeway starts and ends at Sahalee Park in Madras and quickly enters beautiful agricultural country. After passing through Metolius with its historic railroad depot and Culver, the route passes the entrance to The Cove Palisades State Park where camping, water and restrooms are available--at the bottom of a very steep, long hill that will have to be climbed to rejoin the route.

After turning onto Mountain View Drive, cyclists are rewards with particularly good views of major volcanic peaks and can stop of the gravel overlooks above The Cove Palisades State Park and Lake Billy Chinook at mile 15.2, mile 16.1, mile 16.7, and mile 17.4. These overlooks are great places to see eagles, raptors, deer and even snakes or lizards. Another short side trip takes cyclists to the Round Butte Overlook Park and a view of the dam holding back the waters of the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius Rivers to form Lake Billy Chinook.

Important Reminders

Scenic Bikeway routes often include roads with car and truck traffic. Although the Bikeways are routed on low-traffic and low-speed roads whenever possible, most are designated for cyclists who are comfortable riding in some amount of traffic.

Other routes by Oregon Scenic Bikeways