Crater Lake Biking
From Ashland to Bend Amid the Cascades
Now this is living! Summer sun shining. Cold beverage in hand. Feet up, kicking back on the deck of Crater Lake Lodge. I marvel at the indescribable blue of the water. There's nowhere I need to be and nothing I need to do. If there were, why would I want to? Thirty-three vigorous miles around the rim this morning, I must have seen Crater Lake from every angle. I'm still mesmerized. I feel fit, healthy, completely content. I'd say I can't wait for tomorrow...if life weren't so perfect today.
- Crater Lake: uniquely beautiful and seemingly undiscovered
- A biking odyssey to remember
- The Cascade Lakes Highway, with pine forests, lava fields, lake-dotted valleys and the mighty Cascades
- Exhilarating Class II-III rafting on the Deschutes River
- The iconic mountain towns of Ashland and Bend
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 A biking odyssey to remember 
Picnic in the Siskiyou Mountains, then spin past fragrant ponderosa pine and manzanita Descending to the foothills, arrive at Klamath Lake, Oregon's largest freshwater lake and host to more than 430 bird species.
Days 2-3 Crater Lake: uniquely beautiful and seemingly undiscovered Pedal over rolling terrain against a backdrop of thick forest, interspersed with wide-open vistas Cross into Crater Lake National Park just in time to tackle the 2,700-foot climb to the crater's rim Midway, catch your breath at Annie Creek Gorge, carved out by the river below As you circle the rim of this ancient volcano, admire the lake's intense sapphire color Each curve in the road brings another incredible vista, from the cinder cone of Wizard Island to the 9,000-foot-peak of Mount Scott Unwind at the lodge or explore the spectacular landscape on foot.
Day 4 The Cascade Lakes Highway, with pine forests, lava fields, lake-dotted valleys and the mighty Cascades Ride in the shadow of Broken Top Mountain and the Three Sisters' volcanic peaks Elk Lake, with Mount Bachelor looming ahead, sets the stage for lunch Explore the iconic mountain town of Bend.
Day 5 Exhilarating Class II-III rafting on the Deschutes River, the perfect way to cap off your trip Or go for a final spin in the Cascade foothills
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Glacier Biking Alaska Biking Bryce/Zion BikingOther National Park Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
Possibly the best vacation and Backroads trip ever taken!!!! Crater Lake loop is the best bike ride I have ever taken complete with stunning scenery, snow, geologic features, forests and wild flowers, and even a surprise glissade down a still snow covered avalanche shoot. Besides the fantastic previously mentioned epic bike rides, we hiked, swam in snow melt filled Crater Lake, ate, drank, photographed and glissaded our way to one of the most memorable vacations ever!- Aurora, OH More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Crater Lake Biking
Casual Inns
Running Y Ranch
Klamath Falls (1 night) A comfortable lodge near Klamath Lake with timbered ceilings and flagstone floors, and opportunities for spotting hawks and eagles. (pool)
Crater Lake Lodge
Crater Lake (2 nights) Perched on the crater's rim, this classic national park lodge transports you to a bygone era, where guests play cards in the lobby, talk over a cold drink
or watch the sun set over the lake.
McMenamins Old St. Francis School
Bend (1 night) Ideally located downtown, this former 1930s Catholic school is now a lively hotel with its own pub and movie theater.
Crater Lake Biking
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options available
- 30, 51 miles
- 1,350 - 2780 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 3 to 5 2 Route Options available
- 48, 64 miles
- 2050 - 4950 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 3 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 22, 34 miles
- 2420 - 4620 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 4 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 47, 79 miles
- 2410 - 3970 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 15, 34 miles
- 1200 - 2000 feet elevation gain
- Rafting 2 hours