Northfork/Farewell Loop

Trail Description

 E-bikes NOT allowed on Northfork/Farewell Loop

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One of the most scenic loops in Bend that can be ridden in under two hours — if you don’t stop to gawk at all the amazing waterfalls and vistas.

Starting from Skyliner Snow Park, Climb Tumalo Creek Trail just under three miles  to the iconic Tumalo Falls. Pull out your camera and shoot some epic photos with you pals before starting your ascent to Happy Valley.

The four-mile trek up Northfork to Happy Valley is stunning. It’s a slow climb with a few roots and rocks here and there and more often than not filled with hikers. When you need a breather, stop at each water fall you encounter. Let the refreshing mist from the falls cool you off.

When you reach Happy Valley, you will climb up out of the old-growth canopy into a meadow. Not long after the meadow begins, you will turn right on Metolious Windigo, which will take you over a small bridge across Tumalo Creek where you will proceed to head Northwest along Met-Win. This section is just over a mile long and is fairly uneventful. You will cross a couple streams that may or may not hold any water, and before long pop-out on a fire road.

Keep right along the edge of the road and you will see the start of Upper Mrazek trail. Head down Mrazek and soon you will cross a rocky creek bed. As with the other streams you have crossed it likely will be mostly dry. Crossing the creek without a foot dab is a challenge all strive to complete – so choose your line properly!

Mrazek descends in its typical windy and curvy fashion down to the top of Farewell. Stop here, regroup and get ready for one of Bend’s more interesting downhills.

Farewell starts out fairly gently and gets progressively steeper and rockier as you head back down to the valley floor. Pause at the rocky lookouts for some great views of the High Cascades.

Once you pop-out on the road, you will take a right into the Tumalo Falls parking area, and once over the bridge you will get back on the Tumalo Creek trail to head back down to the snow park. Watch you speed as there are many hikers and blind corners on this trail. If you are in a hurry, you can turn left at the bottom of Farewell and ride the road back to the snow park.

This loop is maintained by Central Oregon Trail Alliance.