Trails:

Foot Paths
1.  Whychus Creek Foot Trail

Non-Motorized Shared Paths
2.  Tollgate-High School Trail
3.  Peterson Ridge/Sisters Mountain Bike Trail (includes Eagle Rock Loop)
4.  Five Pine – Sisters Bike Trail Connector
5.  Sisters Tie Trail
6.  Metolius/Windigo Trail (from Whychus Creek to Black Butte – FS trail with FS signs)  
7.  Lazy Z Ranch Trails  

Shared Paths
8.  Crossroads – High School
9.  Tollgate – Crossroads
10. Tollgate – Metolius/Windigo near Black Butte Ranch
11. Crossroads – Metolius/Windigo Connector
12. South Whychus Creek to Metolius/Windigo
13. Indian Ford – Sisters Tie Trail Connector
14. Metolius/Windigo – Indian Ford Connector
15. Whychus Creek – Metolius/Windigo Connector
16.  Sisters Rodeo - Three Creek Rd  Connector 

Roadways (Paved)
17. Camp Polk – Wilt Road
18. Indian Ford Road
19. Cloverdale Road
20. Three Creeks Road
21. McKenzie Highway 242
22. Gist Rd – Plainview Road
23. Hwy 126 – Holmes Road
24. Cold Springs Cutoff

Other Paved Bicycle Favorites (outside Sisters Trails System)
25. Sisters - Lower Bridge
26. East Sisters
27. Greenridge
28. Camp Sherman
29. Century Rides

Whychus Creek Foot Trail    [To Top] [Map]

Length:           Approximately 1 mile

Surface:          Single track dirt, flat, uneven surface in some areas

Description:    The current trail was constructed in 2007 and follows a section of Whychus Creek along the east banks.  The trail wanders through sections of creek beds and pine forest.

Access:           Access on the north end is provided near the foot bridge on the Mainline Road approximately ¼ mile west of Three Creeks Road (park along on the edge of the Mainline Road), and on the south end near the 2 mile marker on Three Creek Road (no immediate parking at this location).

Tollgate – High School Trail   [To Top] [Map]

Length:           0.76 miles

Surface:          Compacted gravel

Description:    The trail was constructed in 2006 as a connector from the Tollgate Community to the Middle and High Schools.  The trail consists of a compacted gravel/bentonite mix, approximately 8 feet in width and moderately flat. The trail meanders through the Trout Creek Conservation area, managed by the Deschutes Basin Land Trust and the Sisters School District, located between the High School and Tollgate.

Access:           Access is provided from the south end of the Tollgate Community and the east parking lot of the Sisters High School (near the track).

Peterson Ridge/Sisters Mountain Bike Trail     [To Top] [Map]

Length:           Approx 17 miles

Surface:          Dirt single track and FS road.

Description:    The Peterson Ridge Trail was constructed in 1989 as a mountain bike trail and consists of a combination of single track trail and old forest service road.  Future plans are for the trail to be expanded and moved entirely onto single track trails.  The trail is moderate difficulty in some locations and gains elevation as it heads south.  The Eagle Rock Loop portion of the trail is approximately 5.5 miles.  The trail then continues over a footbridge on an out-and-back section with a 2 mile loop at the south end.  A 0.75 mile single track trail at the south end connects to Three Creek Road.

Access:           The main trail head is located approximately ½-mile south of downtown Sisters just south of the Whychus Creek bridge (parking is limited at this location).  Many users park at Village Green Park where ample parking and restrooms are available.  Additional access is also provided at the south end of the trail just past mile marker 5 on Three Creek Road as well as where the trail crosses the Mainline and Peterson Ridge Roads (parking limited at these locations).

Additional
Notes:             The lower portion (near town) is heavily used by walkers, joggers, hikers, and dog walkers.  Bicyclists are to use caution while riding this trail for the safety of all.

Five Pine – Peterson Ridge Trail Connector       [To Top] [Map]

Length:           Approx 0.6 miles

Surface:          Dirt single track and FS road.

Description:    The Five Pine Campus and Sisters Athletic Club are located on Hwy 20 at the east edge of Sisters.  The connector trail consists of single track dirt and old FS road and connects into the Peterson Ridge Trail at approximately 0.3 miles from the trail head.

Access:           The trail head is located at a trail kiosk which is located south of the Sisters Athletic Club within the Five Pines Campus.

Sisters Tie Trail       [To Top] [Map]

Length:           Approx 6.6 miles

Surface:          Dirt single track and FS road.

Description:    The Sisters Tie trail connects the City of Sisters with Indian Ford Campground.  The Metolius/Windigo Trail (across highway 20), the Black Butte Loop Trails, and the Suttle Lake Tie Trail also connect to Indian Ford Campground.

                        Starting from Sisters, the first several miles of the trail consists of a combination of single track and old FS road.  At about the halfway point, the trail converts to predominately single track trail.  The trail is generally flat.

Access:           Trail heads are located on Pine Street approximately ½ mile north of Sisters and near Campsite 12 within the Indian Ford Campground.  Additional access is available near the gravel pit and connector trail to Three Creek Road (north end of Pine Street).

Metolius/Windigo Trail       [To Top] [Map]

Length:           Approx 12 miles (between connectors)

Surface:          Mostly dirt single track with some dirt FS road.

Description:    The Metolius/Windigo Tie trail extends from the Head of the Metolius south into southern Oregon.  This +100-mile National Recreation trail begins near the Metolius River headwaters west of Sisters and runs south to Windigo Pass near Crescent Lake. The trail was created around 1980 by linking sections of existing trails, primarily to serve long-distance horse riders seeking an alternative to the Pacific Crest Trail (#2000) (PCT). The trail is a USFS designated trail, and while not part of the official Sisters Community Trail system, is used regularly by trail enthusiasts.  The trail is predominately single track dirt trail with moderate elevation change.  It is heavily used by horse riders during the spring to fall period, and thus becomes unsuitable for mountain biking in places during the summer and fall months.

Access:           Access to the trail is general via connector trails or at Highway 20 (west of Indian Ford Campground, and Graham Corral (horse staging area), and Cow Camp (horse staging area).

Lazy Z Ranch Trail      [To Top] [Map]

Length:           Approx 7.6 miles

Surface:          Old USFS dirt road and trails.

Description:    The Lazy Z Ranch trails are located east of Peterson Ridge Trail.  The trail is not currently signed.   (Some folks want to rename this trail to Jackie’s Trail since Lazy Z Ranch is no longer – stay tuned.) 

Access:           Access is generally from Harrington Loop, Gist Road and the Mainline Road.

Crossroads – High School Trail       [To Top] [Map]

Length:           1.63 miles

Surface:          Dirt Road (future planned compacted gravel)

Description:    The trail connects the community of Crossroads and the Middle/High School campus.  The trail utilizes old forest service roads.

Access:           Access is provided from the east end of the Crossroads Community and the intersection of Hwy 242 and FS Road 15.  Parking is available at SOAR in the west parking lot of the high school (adjacent to the Disc/Frisbee Golf Course).

Tollgate to Crossroads Trail       [To Top] [Map]

Length:           0.60 miles

Surface:          Dirt/gravel road

Description:    The trail connects the communities of Tollgate and Crossroads via the Mainline (Brooks Scanlon) Road.

Access:           Access is provided from the west side of Tollgate and the north side of Crossroads.

Tollgate to  Metolius Windigo Trail       [To Top] [Map]

Length:           3.8 miles

Surface:          Dirt/gravel road

Description:    The trail connects the  Tollgate subdivision to the Metolius Windigo Trail near Glaze Meadow via the Mainline (Brooks Scanlon) Road.  The connection to the Metolius Windigo Trail is near the east entrance of Black Butte Ranch.  This is a gated community, and access for the public is through the main north entrance.

Access:           Access is provided from the west side of Tollgate and the east gate (Glaze Meadow)  near Black Butte Ranch.

Crossroads Metolius/Windigo Connector Trail       [To Top] [Map]

Length:           0.30 miles

Surface:          Mostly USFS dirt road with some single track trail

Description:    The trail provides a connection from the Middle School trail junction to the Metolius/Windigo trail.  The trail predominately utilizes little used USFS dirt roads and contains approximately a 1-mile section of single track trail with moderate elevation gain.  The trail runs behind the Crossroads community and joins with the Metolius/Windigo Trail.

Access:           Access is provided at Edgington Road across from the Middle School and from the west side of Crossroads.  The trail also crosses Road 15 approximately 1.5 miles from Hwy 242.

Indian Ford – Sisters Tie Trail Connector       [To Top] [Map]

Length:           0.5 miles

Surface:          Dirt/gravel road

Description:    The trail provides a connection from the middle section of the Sisters Tie Trail to the Indian Ford Road via the north end of Pine Street.

Access:           Access is provided along Pine Street.  The south end connection to the trail is adjacent to the gravel pit.

Metolius/Windigo - Indian Ford Connector      [To Top] [Map]

Length:           0.4 miles

Surface:          Dirt road

Description:    The trail provides a connection from the Indian Ford Campground to the Metolius/Windigo trail utilizing low use dirt roads.

Access:           Access is provided at Indian Ford Campground and turnout on Hwy 20.  Trailhead is located on the south side of Highway 20.  Use caution when crossing the highway as vehicles have limited sight distance and travel at high speeds.

Whychus Creek – Metolius/Windigo Connector      [To Top] [Map]

Length:           2.8 miles

Surface:          Dirt and cinder roads

Description:    The trail provides a connection from Whychus Creek at the Mainline Road to the Metolius/Windigo trail utilizing low use dirt roads on the west side of Whychus Creek.  The trail has moderate elevation gain as it heads south.

Access:           Access is provided off of the Mainline Road just west of the foot bridge.  Parking is available along the Mainline Road.

Sisters Rodeo to Whychus Creek Trail      [To Top] [Map]

Length:           4 miles

Surface:          Dirt roads and a short section of single track trail.

Description:    The trail provides a connection from the Rodeo Grounds to the Sisters area on the east side of the Three Sisters Irrigation Canal.  The trail has not yet been signed and is under review. 

Access:           Access is provided off of the Mainline Road, Three Creek Road (Rd 16) and at the Sisters Rodeo grounds.

South Whychus Creek – Metolius/Windigo Connector      [To Top] [Map]

Length:           4.3 miles

Surface:          Seldom used dirt roads and single track trail

Description:    The trail provides a connection from Whychus Creek at the dispersed use area just past the 3 mile mark of Three Creek Road and the Metolius/Windigo trail, utilizing low use dirt roads along the west side of Whychus Creek.  The trail has moderate elevation gain as it heads south.  Access to the north trail head requires fording Whychus Creek.  The trail is fairly remote and has some exceptional views.

Access:           Access is provided from the dispersed use area just south of the 3 mile mark on Three Creek Road.

Camp Polk – Wilt Road paved bicycle route [To Top] [Map]

Length:           19 miles

Surface:          Paved (chip sealed) road with 4’ shoulder on Camp Polk road.  Moderate but often fast traffic on Camp Polk Rd and light traffic on remaining roads.

Description:    A relatively flat out-and-back ride to the NE of Sisters, through sparse residential developments and juniper forests with some good views of Black Crater, the Three Sisters and other mountains.  Great for spring training.  Take Camp Polk from Sisters, continue straight on Wilt Road at about 3 miles, continue through Squaw Creek Canyon Estates, and veer left onto Mountain View Road to end of pavement.  Return, staying on left on Mountain View Road at the Y and through a very short patch of gravel onto Canyon Crest road, right onto Stardust, and then left on Wilt Road to return to Sisters.

Access:           Start at Sisters Village Green – take Fir St. north, right on Hood, right on Highway 20 and then an immediate left (north) onto Locust St, which becomes Camp Polk road at the city limits. 

Indian Ford Road paved bicycle route [To Top] [Map]

Length:           about 19 miles

Surface:          Paved (chip sealed) road with 4’ shoulder on Camp Polk road.  Moderate but often fast traffic on Camp Polk Rd and light traffic on Indian Ford Rd..

Description:    This is a relatively flat out-and-back ride with a few rollers along a beautiful back road lined with Ponderosa pines and open fields and with many lovely views of the Sisters Mountains.  Take Camp Polk Roads out of Sisters turning L (west) onto Indian Ford to FS Rd 11, returning the same way.  A 16 mile variation with a fast return would be to come back on Highway 20 (turn right onto FS Rd 11 for about 0.1 mile, then left onto the highway), which now has extremely smooth and wide shoulders but horrendous traffic.

Access:           Start at Sisters Village Green – take Fir St. north, right on Hood, right on Highway 20 and then an immediate left (north) onto Locust St, which becomes Camp Polk road at the city limits. 

Three Creek Road paved bicycle route [To Top] [Map]

Length:           About 28 miles (with extensions on gravel)

Surface:          Paved (chip sealed) road with light traffic, but with annoying cracks across the pavement at regular intervals, especially at lower elevations.

Description:    An out and back route south from Sisters along Elm Street and FS road 16, similar to the Bend-Tumalo Falls route in Bend.  This route is one of Sisters’ toughest climbs — 14 miles to the end of the pavement. The mountain views are spectacular, but you’ll work for them. You’ll conquer about 3,000 feet of climb, with some pitches as steep as 10 to 12 percent, with the steepest parts beyond the gate at the Upper Snow Park. Like Skyliners Road in Bend, there are minimal shoulders, but very low traffic volumes and nice forest cover, although the road surface suffers from many pavement cracks.  For those willing to take their road bikes on gravel, continue another two miles or so to Three Creek Meadow, where you can rest with spectacular views of the Three Sisters mountains.

Access:           Start at Sisters Village Green – take Elm St. south, which becomes FS 16 at the city limits.

McKenzie Highway 242 paved bicycle route [To Top] [Map]
 
Length:           About 30 miles (with extensions up to about 80 miles)

Surface:          Paved (chip sealed) road with light traffic, and with paved 3’ shoulders from Sisters to Crossroads (about 2 miles)

Description:    If Three Creek road and Greenridge aren't enough for you climbers out there, there's always the out and back ride west from Sisters to the McKenzie Pass on OR242, although the traffic can sometimes be considerably heavier. Arguably one of the most beautiful rides in Central Oregon, the route transitions from the Ponderosa forests around Sisters, through lodgepole and fir forests, past Windy Point, to the open, often windswept lava flows at McKenzie Pass with stunning vistas of the Three Sisters in one direction and Mount Jefferson in the other.   This 30 mile scenic route consists of some 4 miles of constant climbing before Windy Point, for a total elevation gain of 2,170' at the pass.  At the top, in the midst of extensive lava fields and Cascade peaks, you'll find the interesting rock-constructed Dee Wright Observatory ( see http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/recreation/tripplanning/pointsofinterest/dee_wright.html) for a chance to take a break and stretch your legs. Spring (typically until late June) riding is some of the best there is, when the road above the snow gate (9 miles from Sisters) is relatively clear but still closed to motorized traffic – giving cyclists miles of beautiful, traffic-free riding.  Check with ODOT Region 4 around June for road conditions and the scheduled opening of the gates. Watch for rocks in the spring before the road is officially open.  Cyclists can continue past the Observatory for a descent to Scott Lake (which adds about 12 miles to the roundtrip and another 500’ of climbing), passing through lava fields with stupendous views of the Three Sisters mountains and then into the flora of the wetter side of the Cascades.  For an even longer ride, continue to Belknap Springs (where cyclists can relax and refuel), adding to the roundtrip another 50 miles and 4,000’ of climbing through beautiful forests and along a series of switchbacks that offer fantastic views over the wooded Cascades to the west and south.  A long, dazzling ride from the desert to nearly the rainforest.

Access:           Start at Sisters Village Green – take Hood St. north, and then left onto Highway 242.

Sisters - Lower Bridge paved bicycle route [To Top]

Length:           About 40 miles (with extensions up to about 50 miles)

Surface:          Paved (chip sealed) road with light traffic

Description:    A good spring and fall ride, when the weather makes mountain riding unattractive. An out-and-back through rolling countryside dotted with horse ranches and llama farms, with great mountain views, especially on the return.  Take Highway 126 east from Sisters, turn L (north) on Goodrich Rd, then R (east) on Edmondson Rd which becomes Holmes Rd, which you follow to Lower Bridge Rd (turn R at the T intersection).  You can turn around at the bridge over the Deschutes River (about 40 miles roundtrip) or continue into Terrebonne (about 50 miles roundtrip). 

Access:           Start at Sisters Village Green – take Hood St. south, right onto Highway 20 (toward Bend) and then left onto Highway 126 (toward Redmond).

East Sisters loop paved bicycle route, with variations [To Top]

Length:           About 40 miles (with extensions up to about 50 miles)

Surface:          Paved (chip sealed) road with 4’ paved shoulders along Highway 126 and 3’ paved shoulders along Highway 20.

Description:    This is a quintessential Sisters ride.  The basic 30 mile loop is a great way to ride through hayfields, sagebrush flats, and juniper studded canyons and forests on mostly flat, easy, low volume backroads, with minimal riding on busy highways (about 3 miles on Highway 126 and ¼ mile on Highway 20), and with majestic views of the Cascades Mountains.  The loop can be ridden clockwise or counterclockwise, but the recommended direction is clockwise.   Leave Sisters on HW 126, R (south) on Cloverdale, L (east) on Jordan which becomes George Cyrus Rd heading north, cross Highway 126 to Goodrich Rd, R (east), continue around corner onto Edmundson, R (south) on Holmes, cross Highway 126 to Fryrear Rd, R (west) on Highway 20, veer L on Plainview Rd, R (north) on Gist Rd, cross Highway 20 to Cloverdale Rd, L (east) on Highway126 back into Sisters.

There are several variations to add mileage.  (1)  Aspen Lake Return.  Get off the highway for more backroads riding. On the return, turn R (north) off Highway 126 onto Aspen Lakes Rd (about ½ miles from Cloverdale, towards Sisters), then L onto Camp Polk Road back into Sisters.   (Adds about 3 miles.)  (2) Tumulo Loop.  A continuation through bucolic farmland framed in great mountain views – for the price of only 5-6 additional miles of highway riding.  The loop begins and ends at the intersection of Fryrear and Highway 20.  Continue south (left) on Highway 20 for about 3 miles, turn   R on Tweed Rd, R on Couch Market Rd, L on Collins Rd, R on Walton Rd, L on Pinehurst Rd at the T intersection, cross Highway 20, then L (north) on Gerking Market Rd, L (west) on Innes Market Rd,  R (north) on Highway 20 for about 2 miles, past Fryrear and then L onto Plainview R.  Continue along the main route. (Adds about 15 miles.)
Access:           Start at Sisters Village Green – take Hood St. south, right onto Highway 20 (toward Bend) and then left onto Highway 126 (toward Redmond).

Greenridge paved bicycle route [To Top]

Length:           About 40 miles.

Surface:          Paved (and/or chip sealed) road with 4’ paved shoulders along Highway 20.

Description:    A relatively steady but easy climb past Black Butte on FS Rd 11, through open Ponderosa and incense cedar forests, with especially rewarding views of the Sisters on the fast return descent.  At the end of Indian Ford Road, take FS Rd 11 left, up and around Black Butte into Jefferson County to the end of the pavement, for a total of about 40 miles if returning along the same route and about 37 miles if the return is via Highway 20 where it intersects FS 11.  Approximately 2000’ in elevation gain.

Access:           Follow directions for the Indian Ford Loop.

Camp Sherman Loop paved bicycle route, with variations [To Top]

Length:           About 30 miles [VERIFY]

Surface:          Paved (chip sealed) road with 4’ paved shoulders along Highway 20.

Description:    This is a continuation of the Indian Ford ride.  For the minor inconvenience of riding along Highway 20 for 3+ miles each way, a chance for a relatively flat ride over backroads through mature (and manicured) Ponderosa forests and along the beautiful Metolius river.   Turn L at the intersection of Indian Ford Rd and FS Rd 11, then R (west) on Highway 20 past Black Butte Ranch, then R (north) on FS Road 14 toward Camp Sherman. Go straight where FS Rd 14 veers to the right to follow Camp Sherman Road then right on Suttle-Sherman Rd into the Camp Sherman resort area, crossing the Metolius at the Camp Sherman Store -- a great place for lunch before turning around, for a total of about 35 miles and some 500’ of climbing. 

There are several variations that offer wonderful riding along the Metolius river for the price of additional mileage.  (1)  Allingham Gaging Station.  At the intersection of Camp Sherman Rd and Suttle-Sherman Rd, continue straight on Rankin Rd then R (east) on Striebel Rd toward the Allingham Gaging Station where you ride across the Metolius River, then R (south) onto FS Rd 14 and Suttle-Sherman Road, which will take you back along the river to the Camp Sherman Store.  (Adds about 5 miles.)  (2) Metolius Headwaters.  Veer R (east) on FS Rd 14 (rather than continuing straight onto the Camp Sherman Rd) toward the Headwaters of the Metolius for some strenuous rollers before descending and turning L (west) onto Suttle-Sherman Rd which returns you to the Camp Sherman Store.  (Adds about 5 miles.) (3) Wizard Falls.  After the Metolius Headwaters, stay on FS Rd 14 for a gently descending ride along the Metolius River and through mature Ponderosa forests toward the Wizard Falls Hatchery, continuing all the way to Lower Bridge Campground and the end of the pavement.  Return via the Suttle-Sherman Rd and the Camp Sherman Store.  (Adds about 15 miles.) [VERIFY MILEAGES]

Access:           Start at Sisters Village Green – take Hood St. south, right onto Highway 20 (toward Bend) and then left onto Highway 126 (toward Redmond).

Sisters Century Rides [To Top]

Length:           About 100 miles.

Surface:          Paved (and/or chip sealed) roads with 4’ paved shoulders along Highway 20.

Description:    If you’re up for a real challenge combine or extend some of Sisters major, most beautiful rides for two different centuries.  (1)  Triple Dip.  In any order, climb Three Creek road, Greenridge, and McKenzie for 96 miles of glorious scenery, some 7,000’ of  climbing, and exhilarating downhills. (2) Santiam Loop.  Leave Sisters west along Highway 20, up over Santiam pass, descend and turn left onto Highway 126 toward Eugene, pass Belknap Springs and turn left onto Highway 242 for the return climb over McKenzie pass. 

Access:           See above.