The Rogue Valley’s forested mountain ranges make for a picture-perfect landscape — and a mountain biker’s playground. Out here you’ll find an abundance of exciting climbs, downhill thrills and easy access to single-track and double-track trails. Here are six favorite rides in Ashland and Rogue Valley.
Lower Ashland Watershed Loop
Distance: 14 miles / 22.5 kilometers
Difficulty: Mild
Get a feel for Ashland’s trails with a loop that starts in the historic downtown. The Lower Ashland Watershed Loop includes the classic Caterpillar and Alice in Wonderland trails, as well as the newer BTI, topping out near 3,500 feet/1,066 meters.
Mountain of the Rogue
Distance: 10 miles / 16 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate
Just minutes from the freeway, the Mountain of the Rogue trail system was designed to include riding for everyone, from family-friendly to gnarly slopes. Most of the trails are directional, including Sasquatch, Armbar and Paydirt.
Mt. Ashland Super D
Distance: 13 miles / 20.9 kilometers
Difficulty: Challenging
Riders on Mt. Ashland enjoy the convenience of a shuttle ride before bombing down the 5,000-foot/1,524-meter descent. The popular Ashland Super D route features double- and single-track on Bull Gap, Lynx, Jabberwocky and beyond.
Time Warp to Ashland
Distance: 14 miles / 22.5 kilometers
Difficulty: Challenging
Savor a deliciously long descent amid some rocky terrain along the Time Warp to Ashland, a shuttle ride that begins in the Mt. Ashland parking lot. Find high-speed thrills with a mix of double- and single-track, with a fun drop of 2,600 feet/866 meters over 4 miles/6.4 kilometers.
Keep on riding
There are more exciting mountain bike trails to be found east of the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon. When you’re ready for two more trails, set your compass to the systems near Lake of the Woods and Klamath Falls.
Spence Mountain
Distance: 16 miles / 25.7 kilometers
Difficulty: Challenging
A relatively near trail system built by mountain bikers near Klamath Falls, Spence Mountain boasts high-speed jumps and grabby berms, as well as the black-diamond North Ridge Trail. Best of all, the area’s dry climate provides a long mountain bike season.
High Lakes Trail – Brown Mountain Loop
Distance: 22 miles / 35.4 kilometers
Difficulty: Challenging
Near Lake of the Woods Mountain Lodge & Resort awaits a scenic ride of deep forests and alpine lakes. The High Lakes Trail – Brown Mountain Loop includes some relatively merciful grades along a 6-mile/9.6-kilometer climb, leading to a satisfying post-ride lake dip.
Where to gear up
- Marty’s Cycle: 712 Crater Lake Avenue, Medford, OR, 97504
- Medford Cycle Sport: 940 N. Phoenix Road $100, Medford, OR, 97504
- Ashland Cycle Sport: 191 Oak Street, Ashland, OR, 97520
- Ashland Mountain Adventures: 728 Jefferson Avenue, Ashland, OR 97520
- Piccadilly Cycles: 525 A Street, Ashland, OR, 97520
- Bear Creek Bicycle: 1988 OR-99, Ashland, OR, 97520
- Get ‘N Gear: 340 A Street, Ashland, OR, 97520
- Siskiyou Cyclery: 1729 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, OR, 97520
- Zach’s Bikes: 831 Main Street, Klamath Falls, OR, 97601
