This was the old Oregon, California and Eastern Railway which brought timber into Klamath Falls, then transferred to rail lines to go north and south. After being abandoned as a railway, the Rails to Trails group turned it into a 100 mile long State Park, the longest linear park in Oregon!. From Klamath Falls to Olene is 9 miles of paved bike path. You can walk your dog, push a stroller, roller-blade, jog, or ride a bike. When you get to Olene, buy an ice cream sandwich, sit and enjoy the pastoral setting, and you’ll have enough energy to bike back to town. From Olene on out is a dirt/gravel mountain bike or walking path. No motorized vehicles are allowed. The jaunt through the Devil’s Garden is an old volcanic lava flow fun to climb on. Along the Sprague River, the trail is fairly flat with beautiful scenery. Up north at Horse Glade Camp you can bike past the trestle to the Sycan River Marsh area. Get off that bike and go look for petroglyphs on the basalt outcroppings along the river.

Trailhead to Hwy 39

The OC&E trail begins in Klamath Falls at Washburn Way, with trailhead parking at Crosby and Avalon. The first 3.3 miles have been paved between Washburn Way and Hwy 39. A wood chip trail for equestrians and joggers parallels the paved trail. This section of the trail gets the most use because schools, parks, and businesses are nearby. On a sunny day, the trail will be bustling with joggers, walkers, in-line skaters, bicyclists, and horseback riders. 

After crossing Hwy. 39, the trail enters the rich farm and ranch lands of the basin. From this point on, trail users will encounter gates on the trail. Please be sure to close all gates behind you. Wide tire bicycles, foot travel, cross-country skies and equestrian use are well suited for the remaining 96 miles of the trail. 

Hwy 39 to Olene

Mt. Shasta rises to the south as the trail passes through farmland on its way to Olene. The trail surface is comoposed of dirt and gravel that has been smoothed. As the trail approaches Olene, notice the mountains that form Olene Gap, indicating the Lost River's course through the narrow opening. This section was paved in 2002. 

Olene to Switchback Hill

Beyond Olene, the trail's surface is less improved, but is rewarding for those who keep going. The trail travels north through juniper and sagebrush before swinging east at Swede's Cut.  Swede's Cut is named for a group of Swedish workers who used star drills and black powder to move over 10 feet of boulders and hardpan soil, creating a route that maintained the gentle railroad grade. Continuing east, the trail skirts the town of Dairy. This area was first settled by Dutch dairymen who supplied the basin with rich milk products. The trail resumes its northward path to Switchback Hill. 

Switchback Hill

The original plan called for a tunnel through Bly Mountain, but funds ran short and a more economical route was laid. A temporary double switchback was built over this hill. The double switchback allowed trains to be split for navigating the hill. Before the railroad ceased operation in 1990, this "temporary" switchback was the last of its kind operating in the United States.

Switchback Hill to Beatty

As the trail descends into the Sprague River Valley, it traverses ranch and timberland. The Sprague River will be your companion as you travel east to Beatty. This section is very scenic, with and abundance wildlife and waterfowl.

The Woods Line Spur

The Woods Line Spur begins just east of Beatty and heads north. At mile 10 of this section you'll reach Five Mile Creek. The creek will be your companion for the next six miles of your journey. Restrooms and campsites are located at mile 19, approximately halfway through this stretch, at Horse Glade trailhead.  Continuing along the Woods Line Spur to mile 27 will take you to a spectacular structure known as the Merritt Creek Trestle. The trestle is 400 feet long and 50 feet high. The Woods Line ends seven miles north of this structure at the Sycan Marsh. 

Beatty to Bly

At Beatty the trail splits, with one trail becoming the Woods Line and the other trail heading east to Bly and the end of the line. Once a booming mill community, Bly is now a quiet little town.