Look north from the junction of highways 216 and 197 just west of Maupin and see Mt. Hood in the distance. Notice how the pavement slightly bends to the south and disappears as it descends into town. Now glide along the road’s wide shoulder following the Sherar’s Falls Scenic Bikeway, picking up speed as you flow into town and descend toward the Deschutes River.

Of the state’s 17 official scenic bikeways, six are in Central Oregon. There’s the challenging McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway across the Cascade Range and the descriptively titled Sisters-to-Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway. Another, the Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway, originates at Mirror Pond in Bend, visits Tumalo, then loops north before returning to town.

Three other nearby routes follow less-explored roads. Each one is well under 40 miles and offers only a few hills. Experienced road cyclists and those on e-bikes may consider these rides to be easy. Those with less time pedaling may agree with these routes’ official ratings: moderate. But all will benefit by slowing to appreciate the scenery, geology and history found along the way.

Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway

The Crooked River canyon, south of Prineville, is a dream destination for rockhounds searching for agate, jasper, obsidian, opal and Oregon’s prized find—thundereggs. It should be no surprise to cyclists when they see these dedicated hunters scouring the river banks as they pedal south on Oregon Route 27, the Crooked River Highway, toward Bowman Dam and Prineville Reservoir. The rocks, remnants of the region’s long volcanic history, are so plentiful that Crook County is considered to be among the best rock-hunting locations in the country. The thunderegg, a geode that reveals colorful, crystalline silica when cracked open, has been the Oregon state rock since 1965.

The ride from Prineville’s southern edge follows the river for 18 miles as it twists through the canyon on an easy, gradual climb until ending at Big Bend Campground, a half-mile shy of the reservoir. There are several opportunities to stop for pictures as the river snakes between the high canyon walls. Shade is limited until reaching the campground, so it’s important to carry adequate food and water–and liberally apply sunscreen. While it’s 18 miles to the end of the ride for those who planned to have a vehicle waiting at the end, it’s extended to 36 miles with a return to Prineville.

► Start and Finish: Prineville
► Distance: 18 miles one way, or a 36-mile loop
► Elevation Gain: 728 feet

Sherar’s Falls Scenic Bikeway

This is one bike ride, available in three parts. First, there’s a segment through Maupin, with an exploration of Wasco County farmlands and a peaceful pedal along the Deschutes River. How the day’s experience unfolds next is determined by an answer to the question: Do you want to complete the hard work early and enjoy the rest of the day, or split the uphill effort into two smaller sections? Riders may choose a steep climb from the river for six miles up slow-moving Highway 197 through Maupin before the road finally levels out. Or, another option includes a steep uphill going up and then across the countryside, passing through Tygh Valley and returning to town for several miles along a downhill stretch.

There are two key spots to take note of on this bikeway. One is Maupin, a community worthy of a rest stop, a cold drink and a look around. The other is Sherar’s Falls, a twist in the road and a river crossing steeped in history. The Sherar’s Bridge Hotel, stagecoach stop and toll bridge are long gone; the hotel burned down more than 80 years ago. The waterfalls, while modest in size, remain a traditional fishing spot for Native peoples using wooden scaffolds and dipnets as their ancestors have for thousands of years.

► Start and Finish: Maupin
► Distance: 33 miles round trip
► Elevation Gain: 1,727 feet

Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway

Start this experience on a gravel path veering off of SW Mountain View Drive in downtown Madras. The road’s rocks are too deep to continue pedaling with narrow road-bike tires, so you’ll need to walk about 50 yards to a parking lot and look for a stone guardrail. Lean forward and stare down into the aquamarine waters of Lake Billy Chinook. This ride is named for its views of the distant Cascade Range, but it’s hard to take your eyes off the lake, which is actually a reservoir. It collects water from the Deschutes, Metolius and Crooked rivers before allowing a controlled stream to flow north as the Deschutes River. To the west are the mountains—Jefferson, Bachelor and Washington, plus the Three Sisters and more—if you remember to look up.

The Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway is a comfortable ride from Sahalee Park in Madras south across open farmland and through the towns of Metolius and Culver before angling toward the lake. There’s one hill to climb on the way back and then the route glides for seven miles back down to Madras.

► Start and Finish: Downtown Madras
► Distance: 29 miles
► Elevation Gain: 1,175 feet

Cycling Safety and News: These routes follow public roads and include vehicle traffic. Wear a bicycle helmet and brightly colored clothes. Use a flashing tail light and obey traffic laws. Also note: Oregon Highway 242, part of the McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway, is closed for repaving and roadside improvements from U.S. 20 in Sisters to the summit at Dee Wright Observatory. Roadwork is expected to be completed by the McKenzie Highway’s traditional June opening which is June 17 this year. An Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson emphasizes that the road is not safe for bicycling until then and urges cyclists to respect the closed road gates.