More information on these hikes and many others can be found in Brittany’s book, Day Hiking Bend & Central Oregon – available at REI.

Blow & Doris Lake A trail that’s soft, flat, and shaded—a welcome retreat in the summer months. Blow Lake is the first lake on the Six Lakes Trail, and you can reach it just a mile from the trailhead. Continue another mile or so and you’ll catch Doris Lake. Continue farther for other tucked-away little lakes. Distance: 4.5 Hike Time: 2.5 hours Technical Difficulty: Beginner Fitness Intensity: Beginner Credit: submitted
Shevlin Loop Trail For a family outing right in Bend’s backyard, check out Shevlin Park. Follow the Shevlin Loop Trail to the top of one side of the canyon and across a plateau. After about 2 miles, you’ll head down into the valley and cross Tumalo Creek before heading back on the opposite side of the canyon. Distance: 4.75 Hike Time: 2 hours Technical Difficulty: Beginner Fitness Intensity: Moderate Credit: submitted
Lava River Cave You’ll find lava tunnels all around Bend, but this one is good for beginners. Follow a rocky path into the cave, noticing how it gets softer and sandier the farther you go. Give yourself extra time for exploring dark nooks and crannies. Bring warm clothes, sturdy footwear and a headlamp. Distance: 2 miles Hike Time: 1 hour Technical Difficulty: Moderate Fitness Intensity: Beginner Credit: submitted
Upper Tumalo Falls Visit Tumalo Falls just for the big waterfall and you may never go again. It’s beautiful, but it’s busy. Keep hiking past the crowds, though, and you’ll get to see three small falls within 2 miles. Admire the falls in solitude and head back the way you came. Distance: 4 miles Hike Time: 2 hours Technical Difficulty: Beginner Fitness Intensity: Moderate Credit: submitted
Cinder Hill Climb this red cinder cone for a full panoramic view of Newberry Caldera, including basalt and obsidian flows, as well as Paulina Peak and bird’s-eye views of East and Paulina lakes nestled below. On clear days, you may even see snowy Mount Thielsen and Diamond Peak. Despite the 1,000-foot elevation gain, it’s a surprisingly comfortable hike. Distance: 6.75 miles Hike Time: 3 hours Technical Difficulty: Moderate Fitness Intensity: Moderate Credit: submitted
Tam-a-lau Trail When snow is still covering the high Cascades, go explore Cove Palisades State Park and Lake Billy Chinook. You’ll hike a steep slope to the top of The Peninsula, then loop around the flat-top rimrock formation for views of the lake below and the three rivers that enter it: Deschutes, Crooked and Metolius. Distance: 6.5 miles Hike Time: 3 hours Technical Difficulty: Moderate Fitness Intensity: Moderate Credit: submitted
Tumalo Mountain You’ll gain over 1,000 feet on the short ascent to the top of this little peak. Enter the forest at the mountain’s base, then quickly hike above the tree line onto the exposed hillside. It’s a sweaty slog, but unobstructed views of the Three Sisters, Broken Top, Mount Bachelor and the lower deserts await you at the top. Distance: 4 miles Hike Time: 2 hours Technical Difficulty: Moderate Fitness Intensity: Advanced Credit: submitted
Green Lakes This Cascade Lakes hike checks all the boxes. Stroll along creeks and through forests and wildflower meadows, past lava flows, until you arrive at a large three-lake basin at the base of South Sister and Broken Top. It’s worth making a day of it; pack a lunch and enjoy the views and fresh air at 6,500 feet. Distance: 9 miles Hike Time: 4 hours Technical Difficulty: Moderate Fitness Intensity: Advanced Credit: submitted
Misery Ridge Head north to the drier side of Central Oregon and check out Smith Rock’s colorful cliffs and stunning rock formations. Follow a steep trail into the park, then cross the river and follow the Misery Ridge Trail. You’ll breathe heavy through steep switchbacks and sweat as you ascend rocky staircases and loose terrain. At the top, admire the sweeping views of surrounding Cascade mountains and the Crooked River Gorge below. Word of warning, though: Smith Rock is a heavily-trafficked destination. Distance: 3.9 miles Hike Time: 2 hours Technical Difficulty: Advanced Fitness Intensity: Advanced Credit: submitted
Tam McArthur Rim It’s a steep hike with 1,400 feet of elevation gain, but it rewards you with views of surrounding Cascade peaks and the lakes below. The switchback trail is well-marked to the top, but the terrain is rough in spots. Enjoy the views and take it easy on the way down. Distance: 5.2 miles Hike Time: 3 hours Technical Difficulty: Advanced Fitness Intensity: Advanced Credit: submitted

MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN

$
$
$

We're stronger together! Become a Source member and help us empower the community through impactful, local news. Your support makes a difference!

Creative Commons License

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.

Trending

Deschutes County Commission Candidate Ron Boozell Arrested at Forum in BendDeschutes County Commission Candidate Ron Boozell Arrested at Forum in BendMay 1, 2026Clayton Franke
Bend Is Ripe For a New Indoor Venue. It's Unclear How That Will Look.Bend Is Ripe For a New Indoor Venue. It's Unclear How That Will Look.April 28, 2026Clayton Franke
Walkouts Planned in Bend, Redmond for May Day  Walkouts Planned in Bend, Redmond for May Day  April 29, 2026Jesse Coronado
May 2026 Election: Endorsements and IdeasMay 2026 Election: Endorsements and IdeasApril 29, 2026The Source Editorial Board