Editor’s Note: This post is presented by our partners at Fjällräven.
Explore a wide variety of inspiring landscapes just outside of the city.
Bend, Oregon, is home to some of the most fascinating geological terrain in the Pacific Northwest. Towering volcanoes, ancient calderas, and fresh lava flows are a testament to the region’s dramatic volcanic history, which continues to shape the landscape today.
If you’re visiting Bend and are looking for a hike, it’s only natural to explore the area’s volcanic features. Here are six must-visit hiking trails that were forged by the Cascade Range’s fiery eruptions.
1. Tumalo Falls
A snowy Tumalo Falls near Bend, Ore. Photo: Shutterstock
Tumalo Falls is one of the classic side trips in Bend. The picturesque waterfall drops 97 feet over a ledge of dense volcanic basalt. The top layer of soil in the area is formed mainly of ash and pumice deposited by the ancient eruptions of Mt. Mazana — the volcano that blew its top 7,700 years ago to become present-day Crater Lake in southern Oregon.
The trailhead is just 14 miles west of Bend and is accessible to all hiking abilities. The hike can be as quick as a 0.4-mile out-and-back to the viewpoint atop the falls, or you can continue on the North Fork Trail to discover even more waterfalls upstream. For a longer hiker, the Tumalo Falls loop covers seven miles and passes by six waterfalls.
The hike is equally beautiful in the winter months, offering snowy scenery and a stunning frozen waterfall.
- Length: <1-8 miles
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Restrooms: Yes, at trailhead
- Parking: $5 recreation pass required
- Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash on North Fork Trail; no dogs allowed in City of Bend Watershed (Swampy Lakes and Bridge Creek Trails)
- Hours: Accessible 24 hours; no overnight parking at day-use area
