Crater Lake Biking Trip

Crater Lake Biking

From Ashland to Bend Amid the Cascades

Escape into Oregon's rugged wilderness to experience epic biking and magnificent scenery at their finest - with heart-pumping routes that reward you with up-close views of geologic formations, alpine lakes, soaring high-desert mountains and virgin forests. From historic Ashland, discover Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge, a haven for birds and outdoor enthusiasts. Skirt the edge of one of the world's most famous calderas, Crater Lake, on one of Bicycling magazine's favorite rides. Cradled by towering cliffs, the country's deepest lake is mesmerizing at every angle. Then bike the Cascade Lakes Highway, a National Scenic Byway that showcases the Northwest's unsurpassed beauty. Stroll through the classic mountain town of Bend and celebrate your accomplishments with an exhilarating white-water rafting trip down the Deschutes River. A full-service resort, classic national park lodge and converted schoolhouse provide welcoming retreats along our journey's path.

Trip Highlights
  • Crater Lake: uniquely beautiful and seemingly undiscovered
  • A biking odyssey to remember
  • The Cascade Lakes Highway, with pine forests, lava fields, lake-dotted valleys and the mighty Cascades
  • Exhilarating Class II-III rafting on the Deschutes River
  • The iconic mountain town of Bend
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The Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1 Klamath Falls

Meet in Ashland, just north of California's border  After a brief shuttle into the Siskiyou Mountains, enjoy a lakeside picnic lunch Warm up with a spin past fragrant ponderosa pine and manzanita Descending to the foothills, arrive at Klamath Lake, Oregon's largest freshwater lake and host to more than 430 species of resident and migratory birds.

Days 2-3 Crater Lake

Observe the morning light over Klamath Lake as you bike north  Pedal rolling terrain against a backdrop of thick forest, interspersed with wide-open vistas Fuel up with lunch on the edge of Crater Lake National Park before embarking on a 2,700-foot climb to the crater's rim  Midway, catch your breath at Annie Creek gorge, carved out by the river below Your efforts are rewarded upon reaching the crater and its namesake lake  As you circle the rim of this ancient volcano, with views around every turn, marvel at the lake's intense sapphire hue Kick back with a cool drink at the lodge or explore this spectacular scenery on foot.

Days 4-5 Bend

Immersed in pine forest, bike along aptly named Cascade Lakes Highway, following paths used by the first explorers of the Northwest  Ride in the shadows of Broken Top Mountain and the volcanic peaks of Three Sisters  Enjoy lunch beside Elk Lake, with Mount Bachelor looming ahead Descend to the charming town of Bend Cap off your trip with a thrilling white-water rafting trip on the Deschutes River Stay in Bend or shuttle back to Ashland.

Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!

Possibly the best vacation and Backroads trip ever taken!!!! Crater Lake loop is the best bike ride I have ever taken complete with stunning scenery, snow, geologic features, forests and wild flowers, and even a surprise glissade down a still snow covered avalanche shoot. Besides the fantastic previously mentioned epic bike rides, we hiked, swam in snow melt filled Crater Lake, ate, drank, photographed and glissaded our way to one of the most memorable vacations ever!
Ellen Casper - Aurora, OH More about this Trip All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For biking tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.

Crater Lake Biking

CASCADE COMFORTS: Casual Inns

Running Y Ranch
Running Y Ranch

Klamath Falls (1 night) This comfortable lodge near Klamath Lake overlooks a golf course and features a swimming pool and fitness center.

Crater Lake Lodge
Crater Lake Lodge

Crater Lake (2 nights) Perched on the crater's rim, this classic national park lodge takes you back to a bygone era, where guests play cards in the lobby, talk over a cold drink or watch the sun set over the lake.

McMenamins Old St. Francis School
McMenamins Old St. Francis School

Bend (1 night) This stylish converted schoolhouse in the heart of Bend charms guests with its lively décor, Turkish-style soaking pool, restaurant and pub.

Crater Lake Biking

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Routes For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Biking Average Walking Average
Insider Trips Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more.
1 2-3 hours 10-20 miles 2-5 miles
2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
Day 1
  • Levels 2 to 4  2 Route Options available
  • 30, 51 miles
  • 1000 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 3 to 5 2 Route Options available
  • 48, 64 miles
  • 2000 - 5000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 3 to 5  2 Route Options Available
  • 22, 34 miles
  • 2500 - 5000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 4 to 5 2 Route Options Available
  • 47, 79 miles 
  • 2500 - 4000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 2 to 4  2 Route Options Available
  • 15, 34 miles
  • 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
  • Rafting on the Deschutes River 2 hours