Oregon: Bend Multisport Adventure With BYO Magazine

DAY 1

We meet in Bend just after lunch, giving you time to arrive that day. If you prefer a more leisurely travel schedule, you can arrive ahead of time and enjoy a free morning before we meet. We start out with a splash (literally) as we head to the Deschutes River that rolls right through the center of Bend. You have the option to kayak (single or tandem), canoe, or Stand Up Paddleboard on the placid waters while admiring the city from the river. You can even try more than one activity if you can get someone to switch with you!  After our activity, we'll head to Crux Fermentation Project for a pint and then make our way to check into our downtown hotel (if you have not yet). We'll enjoy dinner in the Old St. Francis Pub.

DAY 2

We have a leisurely morning before picking up and getting on our road bikes to head out on the 37-mile Twin Bridges loop ride. Starting and ending in Bend, we’ll travel on small side roads, have views of the Cascade Mountains, and enjoy a stop in the village of Tumalo (population 500) for lunch. Extra mileage is available for those wanting a longer workout. In the late afternoon, we will make our way to 10 Barrel Brewing for a brewery visit at their east side location. Dinner will be at Monkless this evening. 

DAY 3

This morning we head to famous Mt Bachelor, considered the number one ski resort in Oregon and one of the best in the country, but which is also a huge draw for active locals in the summer. You have two options to hike on the mountain this morning: choose the long route by hiking up to the top of the mountain from the base or get a little help by taking the gondola up over half way. Lunch is on your own high on the mountain at the ski resort restaurant. In the afternoon, we will return home with a stop for a little whitewater river rafting on the upper Deschutes River. The rafting is short but fun and gives us a different view of the river than we had yesterday. On our way back into Bend, we'll stop at the Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room, which is located at the famous brewery itself, before heading for dinner at Prost!.

DAY 4

Today, we are again on bikes - but this time mountain bikes. We will join with professional local mountain bike guides and do single track riding in the Deschutes National Forest in the uplands above Bend. There are nice loops for all ability levels and you will love the fresh pine tree smells! In the afternoon, after showering and a short rest, we start on a winery adventure, making our way to Stoller Winery (large estate in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley) and Bledsoe Family Winery. We will have dinner at Pine Tavern Restaurant.

DAY 5

This morning we head towards Smith Rock State Park, famous in the state and the country for its rock climbing but also offering excellent hiking trails. We'll hike along the Crooked River, which makes an incredible horseshoe bend around the park, with excellent views of the 400-foot rock spires that are so beloved by climbers. For a tougher workout you can hike up the Summit Trail, from which you can get excellent views of the park below and the Cascades off to the distance in the west. On our way back to Bend, we'll stop in the small town of Redmond where you can walk the western main street and grab lunch. After lunch, we will stop at Humm Kombucha for a change of pace, and then return to the hotel for a quick shower before walking to Worthy Brewing. In the evening we'll enjoy a final dinner at Bend Brewing.

DAY 6

After breakfast, we will take a relaxing morning walk in downtown Bend to explore the city as the locals do. We’ll start from our hotel and visit the Bend Whitewater Park, where kayakers and other adventurers test the man-made rapids designed just for fun. We’ll then continue along the river to the Old Mill District, Bend’s downtown shopping hub. We can return directly to the hotel for a two-mile loop or extend by walking along the Deschutes River before checking out of our hotel.