Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway

Sisters, OR, US

Route Overview

Oregon Scenic Bikeways

The Best of Oregon Riding

36 mi.
960 ft.

The Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway provides riders with one of the most scenic and rewarding rides in Central Oregon, taking cyclists past historical sites, the gentle curves of the Deschutes River, and spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains.

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 Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway.

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

Smith Rock one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. See one – or better yet, see them all.

For more to see and do near this Scenic Bikeway, check out Sisters Country and Visit Central Oregon.

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

Route Description

Starting in the “Old West” town of Sisters and ending at Smith Rock State Park outside the small town of Terrebonne, the Sisters to Smith Rocks Scenic Bikeway takes riders past a variety of historical sites, shows the gentle curves of the Deschutes River and frames spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains, ending with the dramatic walls of Smith Rock State Park. Smith Rock, with the Crooked River winding at its base, is the result of eroded volcanoes that left multicolored formations that tower above the valley floor. It’s a great place to watch rock-climbers from all over the world tackle the park’s thousands of ascent routes.

The Bikeway starts at Village Green City Park and features varied, rolling terrain, although it'’s generally downhill from Sisters. It is a perfect route for single-day, point-to-point ride if a group can leave a support vehicle at each end. At less than 37 miles, some riders will choose to round-trip the ride, or perhaps to turn around at the Lower Bridge crossing on the Deschutes River, about 26 miles into the ride.

The ride itself features varied, rolling terrain with both uphill and downhill sections, breaking up the monotony of a flat ride. Overall, riders will climb 711 feet and descend 1,074 feet, including a stretch of almost 6 miles that features an uninterrupted downhill slope. At no points are there sustained or treacherous sections that will overly challenge the novice rider.

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