Cascade-Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway

Rise high above Ashland for a bird’s-eye view of Bear Creek Valley

LENGTH 55 Miles | DIFFICULTY Extreme | 100% Paved

Nearby cities: Ashland

The Cascade-Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway is challenging by every definition, with more than 5,000 feet of climbing and steep winding descents–all on roads. The bikeway starts in Ashland, with most of the climbing in the first 15 miles. The beauty of the diverse ecosystems where the Cascade Mountains meet the Klamath and Siskiyou ranges will help power your legs. The region is so ecologically significant that 62,000 acres of it is designated as the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.

The bikeway climbs oak-dotted mountainsides with spectacular views of the Bear Creek Valley below and Pilot Rock, a 25-million-year-old volcanic plug, standing sentinel over the valley. In spring, wildflowers cover this savannah ecosystem as red tailed hawks soar overhead.

Above the oak savannah, the bikeway enters the Cascades ecosystem, with tall pines and Douglas firs providing welcome shade on the way to 4,551-foot Greensprings Summit. Riders can opt for a 5-mile out-and-back to historic Tub Springs State Wayside, where you can fill water bottles from a cold, pure mountain spring, just as emigrants traveling the Applegate Trail did in the 1800s.

While riding a fun, 13-mile stretch of rolling hills, you’ll see views of 9,000-foot Mount McLoughlin, with glimpses of osprey and bald eagles nesting near Hyatt Reservoir.

Just when you thought the climbing was over, there is one final 3-mile climb through the wildflower-covered alpine meadows of Lily Glen and Buck Prairie before a thrilling, winding 13-mile descent back to Ashland.

Bike campers can plan a two-day adventure by staying at one of several campgrounds near Hyatt Reservoir or Howard Prairie Lake. A popular locals’ variation is to ride the 3,000 feet up to Green Springs Inn for brunch, returning to the town the same way, making it only a 35-mile ride.

More Resources

There are lodging options in Ashland.

Information about road conditions from Oregon Department of Transportation’s TripCheck.