Upper Sidewinder
Portland, Oregon
| Address: | ~8674-9628 SW Riverside Dr, Portland, OR 97219, USA |
| GPS: |
45°27'21.7"N 122°39'47.3"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Oregon |
| Trail Length: | 1.00 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| MTB Trail Type: | Singletrack |
Bicycles
Mountain Bike
Upper Sidewinder is one of the marquee descending trails at Oregon's beloved Sandy Ridge Trail System, a BLM-managed mountain-bike mecca on the flanks of Mount Hood about an hour east of Portland. This is advanced, adrenaline-forward riding — a fast, technical downhill run laced with roots, rocks, and an endless string of bermed corners.
Like the rest of Sandy Ridge, Upper Sidewinder is a directional, downhill-only trail, so you'll earn it with a climb up the gravel access road (or a shuttle) before dropping in. It threads through mossy, fern-draped Pacific Northwest forest, and the relentless corners and rooty tech reward riders who stay loose and carry speed. It links with lower trail segments to build one of the classic top-to-bottom descents in the system.
Sandy Ridge packs some 17 miles of purpose-built trail into a compact area, ranging from flowy beginner lines to double-black expert terrain, and it rides well even in the wet — the surface is built to shed the region's famous rain. Upper Sidewinder sits firmly at the advanced end of that spectrum.
Bring a capable bike, pads, and a spare tube; the trails are busiest on weekends. Ride in the marked direction, yield to climbers on shared connectors, and check the BLM page for closures during wet-season maintenance.
More Information
Mountain Biking: Oregon: Sandy Ridge | Bureau of Land Management
Oregon Mountain Biking Opportunities: Sandy Ridge The Sandy Ridge Trail System provides trail opportunities specifically designed for mountain bikers in the foothills of the Cascade Range. Sandy Ridge is best characterized as a pedal assisted bike park, mixing together traditional backcountry riding elements with modernized trail characteristics. This model trail system provides an experience for every rider, with 17 miles of trails ranging from machine built beginner level trails with ample opportunities to play on mountain bike features such as rollers and table tops to double black
https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/mountainbike/sandyridgeUpper Sidewinder
Upper Sidewinder is a singletrack mountain bike trail in Portland, Oregon. View maps, videos, photos, and reviews of Upper Sidewinder bike trail in Portland.
http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/upper-sidewinder/Never modify trail features. Ride trails when they're dry enough that you won't leave ruts. Speak up when you see others on the trail and always yield to hikers, horses, and others coming uphill. Always ride on the established trail.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Portland, Oregon
- Head west on W Burnside St toward W Burnside St (0.4 mi)
- Turn right onto SW 14th Ave (signs for US-30 W/Interstate 405 N) (36 ft)
- Keep left to stay on SW 14th Ave (266 ft)
- Take the Interstate 405 N ramp to US-30 W/Interstate 5 N (0.2 mi)
- Merge onto I-405 N (1.2 mi)
- Take exit The Dalles on the left to merge onto I-5 S/US-30 E (1.4 mi)
- Keep left at the fork to continue on I-5 S (1.6 mi)
- Keep right at the fork to stay on I-5 S, follow signs for Interstate 5 S/Salem (0.5 mi)
- Take exit 299A to merge onto OR-43 S/SW Hood Ave toward Lake Oswego (0.3 mi)
- Slight right onto SW Hood Ave (0.3 mi)
- Continue straight to stay on SW Hood Ave (394 ft)
- Merge onto SW Macadam AveDestination will be on the right(2.6 mi)
Other Mountain Bike Trails Nearby
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Portland, Oregon
1.4 miles NA paved bike path runs along the edge of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, connecting to the Springwater Corridor — hiking trails through the refuge are walking-only, no bikes.
Mountain Bike
Terwilliger Parkway
Portland, Oregon
2.6 miles NA 99-acre city park in Portland with more space and seclusion than typical urban parks, offering hiking, mountain biking, and trail running away from the city hustle.
Mountain Bike
Iron Mountain Trail
Lake Oswego, Oregon
3.4 miles SWA rocky, rooty technical descent with flowy singletrack and unmarked steep switchbacks down to the road — a fun, adventurous mountain bike trail near Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Mountain Bike
Cooks Butte
Lake Oswego, Oregon
4.6 miles SWA quick wooded urban mountain bike escape right in the middle of Lake Oswego — fun downhill runs through roots, rocks, and branches, with hiker-friendly trails intertwined.
Mountain Bike
Leif Erikson Drive Trail
Portland, Oregon
6.4 miles NWA smooth, non-technical trail through Forest Park's forest of maple, alder, and evergreen — a peaceful urban escape for bikers, runners, and walkers just minutes from downtown Portland.
Mountain Bike
Lumberyard Indoor Bike Park
Portland, Oregon
7.2 miles NEPortland's unique indoor bike park packs jump lines, pump tracks, skill sections, and technical riding into one facility — plus clinics and after-school programs for all ages and abilities.
Mountain Bike
Powell Butte Nature Park
Portland, Oregon
7.8 miles EA handful of short but rushing singletrack trails — best on early weekday mornings to beat hikers and horses — with Mt. Hood Trail as the steepest, most rewarding run.
Mountain Bike
Forest Park
Portland, Oregon
9.8 miles NWMore than 112 bird and 62 mammal species call Forest Park home, and 30 miles of Wildwood Trail wind through it — plus a historic 1930s WPA Stone House resting spot along the way.
Mountain Bike
Forest Park - Leif Erikson Drive
Portland, Oregon
10.7 miles NWA mostly fire-road mountain bike ride through Forest Park with short, shuttleable downhills on Fire Lanes 1 and 3 — best for beginners on mountain or cross bikes.
Mountain Bike
Willamette River Trail
Canby, Oregon
12.3 miles SA flat, shaded paved and natural surface trail along the Willamette River in Eugene — a leisurely ride or walk through scenic riverside greenery, ideal for hot days with ample tree cover.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Champoeg State Park
Saint Paul, Oregon
18.1 miles SWA historic pioneer park on the Willamette River with camping, boating, fishing, hiking, trail running, biking, disc golf, summer amphitheater concerts, and yurts and cabins to stay the night.
Camp, Disc Golf, Hike, Mountain Bike
WSU Vancouver Trails
Vancouver, Washington
19.3 miles NAn ecological interpretive trail along Mill Creek at WSU Vancouver designed to illustrate how riparian plant and soil systems protect water quality and support fish and wildlife along the creek.
Mountain Bike
Hagg Lake
Gaston, Oregon
26.5 miles WA fun intermediate singletrack loop around Hagg Lake with short steep climbs, some slippery spring conditions, and blackberry overgrowth mid-summer — great rollers and a solid workout.
Mountain Bike
Molalla River Recreation Corridor
Molalla, Oregon
28.2 miles SA multi-trail mountain bike area at the Hardy Creek trailhead near Molalla with steep Deerskull singletrack, a sweet Rim Trail, and the main Huckleberry Trail from which all others branch.
Mountain Bike
Wildwood Recreation Site
Mount Hood Village, Oregon
33.6 miles EMount Hood's Wild and Scenic Salmon River beckons hikers to wade through a lush forested corridor along the Mount Hood Scenic Byway near Welches.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim
Tillamook State Forest
Gales Creek, Oregon
34.8 miles WFast, smooth singletrack loops overlaid on a network of ATV trails in Tillamook State Forest — lush forest surrounds as you climb and descend moderate, occasionally steep slopes.
Mountain Bike
Catamount Trail
Sublimity, Oregon
41.6 miles SA multi-use trail on Lookout Mountain near Sublimity with a fire road climb and newer singletrack — rooty and technical in spots, MTB-focused but hikers welcome.
Mountain Bike
Shelburg Falls
Stayton, Oregon
45.0 miles SA multi-configuration trail system past lower and upper falls, with options to loop all the way to Lookout Mountain road for maximum mileage on forest roads and singletrack.
Mountain Bike
Opal Creek
Lyons, Oregon
45.6 miles SEA 3.5-mile ride or hike to Opal Pool passes Sawmill Falls and Slide Falls — both great swimming holes — winding along a private access road through Jawbone Flats.
Mountain Bike
Wilson River Trail
Tillamook, Oregon
47.9 miles WA lot of climbing pays off with a sweet singletrack section down to Wilson Creek Trail Bridge — mostly side-hill riding with exposure on this trail near Tillamook.
Mountain BikeNearby Campsites
Champoeg State Park
Saint Paul, Oregon
18.1 miles SWA historic pioneer park on the Willamette River with camping, boating, fishing, hiking, trail running, biking, disc golf, summer amphitheater concerts, and yurts and cabins to stay the night.
Camp, Disc Golf, Hike, Mountain Bike
Sunset Falls Campground
Yacolt, Washington
31.9 miles NEA majestic waterfall that drains into a large, deepening pool — just a 0.1-mile hike from the trailhead, with large smooth rocks perfect for sunbathing and picnicking beside the falls.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Silver Falls State Park
Sublimity, Oregon
40.0 miles SThe largest state park in Oregon, Silver Falls features 10 spectacular waterfalls along the nationally recognized Trail of Ten Falls — including a walk behind a 177-foot waterfall on a 7.2-mile moderate loop.
Camp, Hike, Horseback, Swim
