Heckletooth is an iconic mountain bike trail located in Oakridge, Oregon. The riding experience pairs flowy singletrack through the forest, with an epic viewpoint and picturesque technical descent.
TLDR;
Rating: Black Diamond
Length: 7 miles
The Heckletooth Trail is filled with roots, rocks, and a rewarding view point at the top of its ascent. After a brief technical narrow section, the trail dives back into twisty wooded single track as it descends back towards town.
Find it
- From Oakridge, head east on Salmon Creek Road.
- Continue on Salmon past NF 207, Turn right on NF2408.
- Continue on NF5871 to the Trail Head.
- Option for additional mileage: pedal up 327 to ride down Little Bunchgrass before riding Heckletooth.
Riding the Heckletooth trail
The technical and picturesque rocky descent from the top of Heckletooth Trail has made it an Oakridge favorite. I haven’t riddened it for some time as it was damaged by fire a few years ago but has since been reopened. Our prefered way to ride Heckletooth, like many Oakridge Trails, is to ride it as a shuttle. Then you still have energy for an afternoon run exploring another Oakridge classic.
This year at Mountain Bike Oregon, our group added additional miles (great idea Mitch) by climbing NF 5871-327 to descend Little Bunchgrass. While this section of trail begins as an unassuming narrow, twisty pine needle-covered single track, the vibe transitions into an old school hiking trail, complete with a few rock filled tight switchback turns.
A few of the switchbacks on Little Bunchgrass have a bit of exposure adding a bit of risk. If you’re planning a trip to Oakridge, make sure you’ve dialed in your ability to negotiate tight turns as some of the techy/tight switchback require track stand skills. I’m a fan of adding nose wheelie pivot turns to ease negotating this terrain. Regardless, if you haven’t been practicing your slow-speed technical skills, getting off and hiking is a good alternative plan, and some lightweight knee pads don’t hurt either.
After little Bunchgrass, we started down the Heckletooth trail. Though it starts with a short descent, like many Oakridge trails, every descent includes an ascent as well. There are a few leg sapping climbs to reach the top, but they seem to get shorter each time you ride the trail. Most importantly, the viewpoint at the top of Heckletooth Mountain makes it worth it.
The last time I rode the trail previous to this visit was in 2017. The climb to the top has changed significantly following the 2022 Cedar Creek fire, which has left the climb exposed. The climb felt significantly shorter than it did in the past, as you can see the sky and views as you make your way to the view point.
Shuttle options
There are plenty of iron legged locals that do it as a pedal up from town, but even being shuttled up the mountain still requires plenty of pedaling to reach the peak. Heckletooth is on Forest Service land, so it is currently off limits to eMTBs.
There are a few companies offering shuttle services in Oakridge if you don’t want to arrange your own; some even include guides. Or you can go big, and sign up for Mountain Bike Oregon, the yearly Oakridge Mountain Bike Festival. We think its a blast, though we may be biased as we just completed our 4th year at MBO as a guide.(but it’s a hell of a weekend.) Registration covers free camping near the river, nightly events and music, bike demos, and of course, guided shuttle rides. There are multiple options for riding packages – including eMTB rides – with breakfast and lunches provide plus all the beer, cider, kombucha, and soda you can drink.
Mountain Bike Oregon – Yearly Mountain Bike Festival in Oakridge
CogWild: Oakridge Shuttles
Trans Cascadia Excursions: Oakridge Shuttles ($25-38/ride)
Heckletooth Trail on Trailforks.