Welcome to "the Mountain Biking Capital of the Northwest."
Oakridge earned that title with more than 300 miles of world-class singletrack trails accessible year-round. Oakridge is home to an enthusiastic mountain biking community, including an organization called Greater Oakridge Area Trail Stewards (GOATS) who formed specifically to maintain its local trails and promote responsible trail usage. In the "bike-umentary" Pedal-Driven (2010), Oakridge was highlighted for its collaborative land management between mountain bikers and government and environmental agencies. You can help preserve the trails too by following a few simple mountain biking guidelines — like sticking to well-drained trails and paved surfaces during, or after, heavy rain.

Westfir Lodge & Office Covered Bridge
Photo: Turell GroupOakridge's Mountain Biking Community
Take a quick look around Oregon's Oakridge/Westfir area and it's easy to see why mountain bikers around the world come here to ride. The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) even designated Oakridge gold status as one of their first Mountain Bicycling Ride Centers! A variety of tailored challenges surround the small mountain town and attract a range of beginners to more intermediate riders. Hone your skills at two dedicated parks featuring graduated jumps and stunt tracks.
Brand new routes like Dead Mountain Trail offer up smart designs, created with burned corners for smooth turns and a trail flow that leads to less pedaling and braking, a fun ride for all skill levels. More challenging routes, like the IMBA Epic Waldo Lake Trail, take riders deep into the Cascade Mountains. Nearly every singletrack route offers a unique mountainside view of the Willamette National Forest.
While many of the trails are accessible year-round, please only ride well-drained trails during the wet season. Staying out of the mud helps preserve the trails. For an easy trail that's perfect for new riders, try Salmon Creek trail, which takes riders over flat paths right through town and up the river to Salmon Creek Falls.
For years, mountain bikers would gather for the three day Mountain Bike Oregon festival, named as one of the Best Bike Festivals of 2013 by Outside magazine. This event has since been paused.
Visitors don't need to pack a bike in with them — Oakridge is also a headquarters for guides and equipment rentals. Outfitters offer shuttles to trailheads. Mercantile shops sell bike parts and accessories. And while the locals "Speak Oakridge" officially, you'll discover they also "Speak Mountain Biking" too.
Recoup after a day in the forest with at the 3 Legged Crane Pub and Brewhouse.
How to Get to the Trailheads
Cascades Outdoor Center
Located at the Westfir Lodge, the Cascades Outdoor Center is your hub for all adventures, including mountain biking. Organize shuttle service to and from the local trailheads. Stay at the lodge and extend your mountain biking venture into a vacation! Plus, one of the most popular mountain biking trails, the Alpine Trail, is adjacent the property.
"Oregon is Magic" mountain biking mural in Oakridge
Photo: Colin MortonMountain Biking Trails
Oakridge/Westfir offers many mountain biking trails geared for a variety of skill levels. Alpine Trail is probably one of the most beloved trails. Dead Mountain Trail is the newest. And the Waldo Lake Loop is designated "Epic" by IMBA.
Please protect the trails by only riding on well-drained surfaces during wet weather. Contact the Forest Service for updates on trail conditions. Permits may be required to park at some trailheads, so please plan ahead. Some trails may be multi-use. Practice trail etiquette and always yield right-of-way to hikers and equestrians.
- North Fork Rd
- 541.782.2283
Commonly referred to as “The Crown Jewel” of the world-renowned Oakridge mountain bike trails, the Alpine Trail offers a little bit of everything, but most-of-all fun singletrack through lush forest. With numerous options, the ride can either take a few hours or all day. The…
- High Praise to Dead Mountain Rd
Formerly known as Flat Creek, this trail is fast and fun. You’ll be grabbing brake for 2.5 miles of ripping, joyful singletrack. But it’s not just the speed, it’s the super flowy and cue-ball-smooth trail surface that makes this a winner. In 2015, the trail was extended to Salmon…
- Forest Service Rd #21
- 541.782.2283
This relatively tough loop begins with tight switchbacks, rock chutes, gnarly roots, tricky creek crossings, and plenty of smooth swoopy sections in between. Then it’s more technical patches, a couple uphill grunts and then after 3 miles, the trail joins Larison Creek. Here the…
- La Duke Rd/S Bank Rd
- 541.782.2283
Larison Rock begins in Greenwaters Park in the heart of Oakridge. Follow paved Larison Rock Rd uphill for 5 miles to FR 3607. Stay right onto FR 3607 and get ready to descend 3.4 miles through lush rainforest. Be prepared for tight switchbacks, patches of loose rocks and creek…
- Hwy 58, 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Oakridge
- 541.782.2283
Designated a National Recreation Trail in 2007, Middle Fork Willamette Trail runs 32+ miles (51.5+ km), winding northwest from the blunt end of the Middle Fork valley near Timpanogas Lake all the way down to Sand Prairie Campground at Hills Creek Reservoir. The trail is…
- Forest Service Rd 21
- 541.782.2283
The Moon Point Trail allows hikers and bikers the opportunity to see a wide range of habitats over the course of just 1.1 miles (1.8 km). Flora and fauna congregate in both wet and dry meadows, atop rocky cliffs and under towering conifers. Moon Point was once the site of a fire…
- 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Oakridge
- 541.782.2283
Salmon Creek is a pleasant river trail that has two parts. One side is very smooth and great for kids/beginners. The other side is a classic Oakridge river trail, complete with rocks & roots. From Oakridge, ride one mile up the south side of Salmon Creek on double-track. Pass the…
- Northeast of Westfir
- 541.782.2283
This moderate 6.1 mile (9.8 km) trail is popular for hiking and mountain biking. It features numerous switchbacks through old growth forest and log bridge stream crossings. From this trail, access a side trail to the top of Tire Mountain. The trail also connects to the Alpine…
- Waldo Lake Rd
- 541.782.2283
Waldo Lake is the second deepest lake in Oregon and one of the purest in the world. In 2012, IMBA awarded Waldo Lake Trail "Epic" status. The trail can be ridden as a full loop or a shuttle from North Waldo Campground to Shadow Bay. This trail will test one's endurance and…
- Forest Service Rd 21
- 541.782.2283
Youngs Rock Trail traverses three distinct eco-systems. Old growth forest at the top, high desert in the middle and oak savannah restoration at the bottom. This is a more difficult trail that is 6 miles (9.7 km) in length and has some very steep sections. Along the path are…