Suttle Lake Trailfest: A New Endurance Challenge in One of Central Oregon’s Best Spots

Suttle Lake has long been one of my favorite places in Central Oregon. Nestled just a stone’s throw from Sisters and Bend, it’s that first real Cascade destination you hit when you cross Highway 22. The lodge there got a nice upgrade over five years ago (check out my review from our stay at the Suttle Lodge), and honestly, the whole area just keeps getting better.

For runners, the real gem is the 3.6-mile trail that loops around the pristine lake, offering stunning mountain views—Mount Washington to one side, Black Butte on the other. Over the Fourth of July weekend, while spending time in Sisters, we took the family out to Suttle Lake for some paddleboarding and a hike around the trail. And like I always do, I thought, “This would make a killer race course.” Looks like someone heard me, because Alpine Running launched the new Suttle Lake Trailfest.

Now, if you’re thinking a quick 3.6-mile race, that’s not quite what this is about. The Trailfest is an endurance-style event with 6-, 12-, and 24-hour race options. The challenge? You run one loop every hour on the hour. So lace up and keep moving—each hour you have to start a new lap or risk disqualification.

The trail itself is pretty friendly—mostly flat with just about 110 feet of gain per loop, nothing too technical or steep. There are some gentle rolling hills, but it’s as close to a flat, fast trail as you’ll find in the area. Plus, there’s plenty of free camping nearby as you are gonna need to make a weekend of it.

Aid stations are stocked with a solid spread of snacks—sweet and salty—plus water, soda, electrolyte drinks, gels, and even warm food options. And if you want to really dial in your race, you can set up your own personal aid station along the route to refuel each loop. Teams are welcome to support runners at these spots, and pacers can join you on the trail at the halfway mark of your race—like during hour six in the 12-hour event—to help keep your pace and sanity.

Suttle Lake in August should mean cooler temps—a big plus when you’re racing for hours—but regardless of the weather, there’s a warming tent set up to keep you comfortable if things turn chilly.

If you’re looking for a fresh challenge in a beautiful, runner-friendly spot, the Suttle Lake Trailfest is worth checking out. Whether you’re chasing distance or just want to experience running a race a little differently, this one’s got a lot to offer.