Benham Falls – Deschutes River Bridge loop from Cinder Cone Natural Area

Benham Falls – Deschutes River Bridge loop from Cinder Cone Natural Area

Moderate

4.8

(7829)

7,830

riders

Benham Falls – Deschutes River Bridge loop from Cinder Cone Natural Area

02:55

47.9km

350m

Gravel riding

Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: September 24, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 24.0 km for 234 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

4.73 km

Cascade Lake Welcome Station

Highlight • Rest Area

This welcome station is staffed with volunteers to provide information, answer questions about the area, and offer trail maps. Recreation passes are available here, restrooms and a sizable parking lot. It is the access point to Phil's and Wanoga mountain biking trail systems.

Tip by

14.0 km

Benham Falls Takeout, Deschutes River

Highlight • River

Old-growth ponderosa pines and several picnic tables surround this serene spot. This spot is the Benham Falls Takeout, where boaters come out of the river above the class 5 rapids of Benham Falls. It is an excellent spot to enjoy lunch in the summer.

Tip by

14.1 km

Deschutes River

Highlight • River

Tip by

16.5 km

Benham Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

This is the highlight of the hike. Watch the water churn below before it tumbles down a long string of cascades through the cliffs.

Tip by

17.5 km

Deschutes River Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

This resemblance to a suspension bridge has a fascinating history. It is a river ruler installed in 1905 that measures the water flow, as the sign explains.

Tip by

17.6 km

Log Jam

Highlight • Structure

This is a man-made log jam that predates the current footbridge. It was created in the 1920s to protect the older bridge from debris floating downstream. It resembles a floating garden with all of the grass growing on the logs.

Tip by

24.1 km

Newberry Volcanic Monument

Highlight • Volcano

Lava Lands is one part of the gigantic Newberry Volcanic Monument around the Newberry Caldera. There are some nice, short trails that take you deeper into the moonlike lava landscape and up to a cinder cone that is even accessible by car. On a busy day or weekend, you might have to reserve a time slot to get up to there. The Visitor Center has interesting information and maps for you.

Tip by

31.0 km

Deschutes River Bridge

Highlight (Segment) • Bridge

This resemblance to a suspension bridge has a fascinating history. It is a river ruler installed in 1905 that measures the water flow, as the sign explains.

Tip by

47.9 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types