Accessible Walks
Riley Ranch Reserve Upper Loop (Bend) - This is a very flat, 1.5mi loop with scenic river and canyon views. Paved parking with plenty of space. No dogs or bikes allowed. Gorgeous at sunset!
Drake Park/Mirror Pond (Bend) - Located downtown, this is a very popular walking path that follows the river. Very flat and wheelchair accessible. A great place to have a sandwich or sip a coffee while you look at the paddle-boarders go by!
Tumalo Falls (Bend) - Limited parking and can get very crowded, but well worth the view! The entry area is wheelchair accessible and very easy to navigate. If you want to get closer to the falls, there is a fairly steep trail (roughly 1/2mi long). Following the trail from the top of the falls for another mile will take you to a second set of falls (aptly called Double Falls).
Easy Hikes
Pilot Butte (Bend) - Located smack in the middle of Bend, you can see Pilot Butte from nearly anywhere in town. There is a road that allows you to drive up, but it can get cramped. The walk is roughly 2mi round trip, and is very steep. From the top on a clear day, you can see all the way to Mt. Hood near Portland! Best place to park is linked in the title.
Deschutes River South Canyon Trail (Bend) - One of our most frequent hikes, this trail is inside Bend proper but feels like you're in the forest. It follows the river the entire way, with multiple places to stop and touch the water. Park at Farewell Bend Park, then follow the path underneath the bridge to access the trail. This is a roughly 3mi out and back hike that crosses the river at the halfway point.
Benham Falls (Bend/Sunriver) - Accessible either from the East Trailhead or the West Trailhead (both have ample parking), this hike is very easy to turn into a 'build your own adventure' even though it's only about a mile to the views. The falls themselves are most easily accessible from the West, but the East is typically less populated and has bathrooms at the trailhead. A must see!
Dillon Falls (Bend/Sunriver) - These falls are less traveled, but no less beautiful. The trail is meandering but easy to follow. Heading North from the trailhead will take you to Dillon Falls, while heading South (and walking about 4.5mi) will get you to Benham Falls.
Harder Hikes
Riley Ranch Reserve Lower Loop (Bend) - After walking the upper loop, take a short but steep descent into the river canyon. Walk along the Deschutes River through open meadows, juniper and pine forests, and lava flows throughout the canyon. This is a 1.3 mile loop (2.6 mile out and back) that connects to Tumalo State Park.
Deschutes River Trail (Bend) - This trail is actually a series of incredible walks and hikes totaling over 11 miles of the Deschutes River through Bend. Some of our favorite trailheads include the South Canyon Reach (located near Farewell Bend Park), the Old Mill Reach (runs along the Old Mill district), and the Pioneer Reach (runs through Drake Park along the west side of downtown Bend).
Shevlin Park (Bend) - A beautiful and tranquil network of trails along Tumalo Creek in the Shevlin nature park. A very low effort but high reward hike, allowing you to escape from it all while still being less than 10 minutes from downtown Bend.
Blue Pool/Tamolitch Falls (McKenzie Bridge) - A moderate hike through 2.1 miles of forest and rocky lava flows along the McKenzie River rewards you with one of the clearest and most pristine pools of iridescent turquoise you've ever seen. Make sure to get an early start on this one, as it is a very popular trailhead (even during weekdays) and is just over an hour drive from our house.