Pilot Butte is a 500-foot cinder cone that rises abruptly from the east side of Bend, surrounded by the city on all sides. A paved road and a steeper trail both wind to the summit, which gives a 360-degree panorama that on a clear day stretches from Mount Hood in the north to Mount McLoughlin in the south — nearly the entire length of the Oregon Cascade Range laid out in one view.
The summit is best in the early morning or at sunset, when the light hits the volcanic peaks from the side and the colors are remarkable. The walk up the trail takes about 20–30 minutes at a moderate pace. The butte is an Oregon State Park and is open year-round; the summit road is open in summer and closed in winter.
This is a local favorite for joggers who run the summit loop before work and for families with children who want a short hike with a dramatic payoff. The view of Mount Bachelor due west is particularly striking.