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Alpine Trail

Oakridge

Known as the "crown jewel" of Oakridge, the Alpine Trail easily ranks among the best shuttle routes in the world.

Mountain Biking Difficult

Distance
26 km
Ascent
769 m
Descent
1.6 km
Duration
2-3 hrs
Low Point
327 m
High Point
1.5 km
Gradient
Alpine Trail Map

While "Alpine Trail" may sound like a generic name, once you begin associating that name with this epic point-to-point enduro-style shuttle route outside of Oakridge, Oregon, it becomes anything but ordinary!

Description

The route begins high in the mountains above Oakridge after a long shuttle up a dirt road. A mellow climb greets riders departing the trailhead, with the singletrack snaking beneath towering trees.

Once the trail starts heading down, it descends with a vengeance! While the grade isn't super steep, the flow of the trail and relatively straight sight lines allow riders to amp up the speed, the massive Douglas Firs whizzing past in a blur of brown and green.

Thanks to the lush Pacific Northwest vegetation, the trail tread is filled with dark dirt that provides traction for days, only helping riders max out the speed. As you'd expect, tangles of tree roots cross the trail.

Some sections of the Alpine Trail are surprisingly rocky, and while the chunder will put your suspension to work, there aren't many significant rock features aside from a barrage of chunk.

One of the iconic spots on the Alpine Trail is in the final leg, where the singletrack breaks out onto a beautiful bench cut and riders can see down toward Oakridge and the small town of Westfir where the ride concludes. From here, the singletrack sidehills along the bench cut, with some mild exposure, ending with a high-speed rush to the finish.

If you only have time for one trail in Oakridge, ride the Alpine Trail!

Difficulty

Difficult

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability featuring larger and more unavoidable obstacles that may include, but not be limited to: bigger stones, roots, steps, and narrow curves. Compared to lower intermediate, technical difficulty is more advanced and grades of slopes are steeper. Ideal for upper intermediate riders.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between June and October

Features

  • Flow
  • Technical
  • Shuttle-run
  • Roots
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area