Ashland OR Biking

Four Corners

Up in the hills behind Ashland, where four roads converge, offers a convenient jumping-off point for downhill riding (DH), or a waypoint for a longer cross-country ride (XC). For DH, Four Corners serves as the trailhead for Marty’s and Catwalk, two steep and technical mountain biking trails for intermediate-to-advanced riders. For XC, Four Corners is a waypoint for the longer ride of Ashland Loop Road, or for climbing up to the Mt. Ashland Ski Area.

Difficulty Levels: Marty’s Trail: Challenging – Steep and technical with rocky sections and sharp turns.

Catwalk: Intermediate to Advanced – Less steep than Marty’s, but with plenty of washboards.

Ashland Loop Routes: Easy to Moderate

Directions: As suggested by the name, there are four different ways to access Four Corners, but the main two routes are up Tolman Creek Road or Ashland Loop Road (also known as 2060).

Tolman Creek Road: From downtown Ashland, head southeast along Siskiyou Boulevard, turning right onto Tolman Creek Road as Siskiyou heads out of town. Continue along Tolman Creek for approximately 8.5 miles, upon which you’ll find Four Corners.

Ashland Loop Road: From downtown Ashland, head south up Granite street, through Lithia Park. At the top of the park you’ll pass a reservoir: follow the road left going around the reservoir. Although not marked, Granite becomes Glenview Dr. Continue along Glenview to Ashland Loop Road and turn right (a sharp U-turn) up a steep climb. Follow Ashland Loop Road up, passing Terrace St where the road becomes paved again. At the intersection with Morton St, turn right to continue along Ashland Loop. Four Corners is 4 miles from the intersection with Morton, all along a gravel road.

Toothpick Trail

One of the shortest and easiest to access trails in Ashland, Toothpick is great for beginners and seasoned experts alike. Connecting Tolman Creek Road to Ashland Loop, Toothpick can be a destination ride with parking on the Tolman Creek side, or incorporated into a longer ride that links the two roads, and thus other trails. From Tolman the trail climbs steadily up to where it meets the bottom of Catwalk (see Four Corners), where it levels out and continues on to Ashland Loop Road. Upon reaching Ashland Loop, riders can either turn around and enjoy a flowing downhill back to Tolman, or continue either up to Four Corners, or down towards the White Rabbit Trailhead (see White Rabbit) and eventually Lithia Park.

Difficulty: Moderate. The trail has a few steep sections that can be challenging to ride up or down, as well as some sections with a steep slope to one side.

Directions: From the center of town, head southeast down Siskiyou Blvd to Tolman Creek Rd (the intersection has a blinking yellow light). Take a right on Tolman Creek Rd. After 1.2 miles the road turns to a one lane road, with occasional turnouts for passing traffic. At 1.7 miles the road will fork, be sure to take a hard right. After 3 miles from turning onto Tolman Creek Rd. you will arrive to the trailhead.

Hitt Road

Tucked away above Lithia Park, this trail is easy to ride to and has a fun, accessible downhill as the reward. The 5-mile climb to the trail head along Ashland Loop Road (2060) is mostly a gradual climb on dirt and gravel, with a few steep pitches. The descent down Hitt Road begins as an old road before turning into double track and then single-track, and is pretty smooth with only a few rocky or technical sections.

Difficulty: Moderate

Directions: From downtown Ashland, head up either S. Pioneer St. through Lithia Park or Granite St., which is directly above the park. Parking is best had in Lithia Park or downtown, though there are a few spaces up by the start of Ashland Loop Road. Continue up Granite (S. Pioneer eventually joins Granite) to the reservoir, and continue on past without turning left. Following this road will lead you around a wide right-hand turn, followed by a left. At this point a green gate crosses the road and motor vehicles are not allowed. Do not confuse this gate with the lower one that says “No-Trespassing,” that road leads to the drinking water source for Ashland and is off limits to the public. The climb begins at the gate and continues on for five miles.