Riders who live near Eugene, Oregon, are fortunate to have Mt. Pisgah in their backyards. Formally known as the Buford Recreation Area, this Lane County Park offers a variety of trails that are open to horses and hikers, including several that go to the top of 1,531-foot Mt. Pisgah. Mountain bikes are not allowed on the trails.
The Riding
The summit's impressive 360-degree views encompass the entire south end of the Willamette Valley, extending from the Coast Range to the jagged peaks of the Cascades.
Because Mt. Pisgah rises 1,000 feet above the valley floor, the trails that run to its summit feature significant elevation gain. Other routes through the park climb more gently. Some trails run through open prairie, while oak woodlands or mixed conifer forests shade others.
When Howard Buford deeded Mt. Pisgah to Lane County, he stipulated that the area's trails must remain available to equestrians. Mr. Buford's 2,363-acre legacy is a wonderful gift to the equestrian community, with 13 miles of trails open to horses.
Mt. Pisgah's trails offer plenty of variety. The routes to the summit provide excellent conditioning opportunities for your horse. Or you can stick to the lower-elevation trails for a gentler, more relaxing ride. You can link the trails in various ways to create your own loops. Poison oak is present in the park, so keep an eye out.
Mt. Pisgah is a great place for an after-work outing in summer or a leisurely weekend ride year-round.
More Information
You'll find more information about Mt. Pisgah's trails in Riding Northwest Oregon Horse Trails and Riding Southern Oregon Horse Trails by Kim McCarrel, available at www.NWHorseTrails.com.
