If it was located in another part of the nation or even in a different part of Oregon, undoubtedly Umatilla Rim would be an ultra-popular cross country ride with nationwide acclaim. But since it’s hidden in an obscure corner of the state of Oregon, far from any population centers or even any top-tier mountain bike destinations, the Umatilla Rim flies delightfully below the radar. In fact, some sections of the trail are downright overgrown!

Be forewarned: if you’re looking for a gnarly enduro ride with ripping descents, this isn’t the trail for you. Instead, the Umatilla Rim is surprisingly smooth and buff, with almost no technical challenges to speak of. This ride is all about stunning views and mellow flow. In fact, if you choose the correct route combination, there aren’t even any substantial climbs or descents (although you’ll still gain and descend a couple thousand feet one way or another).

The loop route mapped here could also be used as a point-to-point ride by substituting the lengthy road segment with a two-car shuttle. Choosing to ride the trail in this fashion gives you access to the entire Umatilla Rim Trail, including one major descent and a couple of rare views that few people ever see. However, note that if you pass the Ninemile Trailhead to complete this loop, the trail gets much narrower and very overgrown in places. At the time of this writing, the rest of the trail beyond Ninemile is still passable, but it gets dramatically more adventurous for the final few miles!

To remove these challenges, opt instead for the out-and-back version of this beautiful mountain bike ride. Or, tackle all the challenges that the Umatilla Rim has to offer—the choice is yours!