As you continue your explorations of the beauty of Bend, you’ll soon begin to understand the appeal of the great outdoors: crisp air that feels cool against your face, the sight of lush green trees bordering the river’s edge, and the majestic mountains standing guard in the background. Winters are for skiing and snow sports mainly, but the rest of the year hikers, bikers, and happy dog walkers enjoy the multiple trails that traverse the Oregon countryside-trails such as the Upper Deschutes River Trail, where the beauty of the views is as rewarding as the steps you’ve added to your fitness tracker.
Wilderness Found Here
If you have walked along the lower part of the Deschutes River, you may expect to find more of the same along the Upper Deschutes River Trail, but you would be wrong. As manicured and postcard perfect as the lower area is, the Upper Deschutes invites you to experience the wilderness! The river cuts through granite outcroppings with a frothy wildness that makes rafting an adventure and allows for pictures that will forever remind you of the fierceness of nature.
The trail that marches purposely through the area will lead you to places you have always dreamed of but never imagined you’d see in real life. For 8.5 miles, you’ll hike along expanses of savage and stunning beauty. Lava flows flow from ancient volcanoes changed the landscape forever, and we won’t complain. Waterfalls that are found along the way offer perfect spots to take a selfie or to stop for a picnic on a sunny day, and although hiking in the summer, spring, or fall is to be expected, this is a four-season hike as long as you dress for the weather!
Because of the length and the elevation changes, families with younger children may want to stick to the Lower Deschutes, but teenagers and physically fit tweens will never want their day on the trail to end. Dogs are welcome to join in the fun, but please remember to keep them leashed and clean up after them; you don’t want to ruin someone else’ss hiking pleasure by an accidental misstep into something yucky. Mountain bikers often use the trail as well, so keep an eye out for them as they do for you. This trail is a popular one, and everyone deserves to have a good time during their explorations!
Contact Bend Vacation Rentals Today!
Your days of hiking and exploring the Oregon landscape will be made that much better with nights spent relaxing in comfort and style in one of our vacation rental escapes – contact us today to reserve your stay!
