Linking Government Camp and Rhododendron, the Pioneer Bridle Trail #795 stays in the forest within earshot of US Hwy 26, and parts of it follow the historic Barlow Road. It’s a major mountain bike route that hikers and horse riders share.
Starting high at Glacier View Trailhead, 27.5 miles east of Sandy and 3,600 feet up, the trail loses elevation for most of the way down to Tollgate Trailhead near Tollgate Campground, at 1,800 feet. Early on it reaches a tunnel and climbs to a mineshaft before dropping more steeply to cross the highway. Beyond the crossing, keep right where a powerline trail runs parallel, and expect rocky patches and narrow single track after the Zigzag River.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 3 of 5
- Typical grade
- 12-20%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Zigzag
Connects to: Crosstown Trail #755, Little Zigzag Falls Trail #795C, Still Creek Trail #780
Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Getting there
From Portland, OR to eastern end
- Travel 27.5 miles east of Sandy on US Hwy 26.
- Turn left (north) at the Forest Road 2600-522.
- The trailhead is on the east side of the parking area towards Government Camp (approximately 0.5 miles east of milepost 44).
- The trail leaves from the parking area.
From Portland, OR to western end
- Travel 19.9 miles east of Sandy on US Hwy 26.
- Turn right (south) 0.1 mile past Tollgate Campground approximately 0.9 miles east of milepost 44).
- The trailhead is on the east side of the parking area.
From the Forest Service
All fees
Glacier View Trailhead:
$5/vehicle/day May 1 through October 31. Learn more about recreation passes.
Sno-Park Permit is required November 1 through April 30.
Pioneer Bridle Trailhead: No fee.
Passes and permits
Oregon Sno-Park permit is required in designated sno-parks, including Glacier View Sno-Park, from November 1 through April 30.
Ranger office
Zigzag Ranger District
Address: 70220 E Highway 26 Zigzag, OR 97049
Phone: 503-622-3191
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed 12 to 1 for lunch. (Closed on federal holidays)
Trails nearby
Crosstown Trail #755
5.4 mi
618 ft
Moderate
Little Zigzag Falls Trail #795C
1.2 mi
311 ft
Easy
Still Creek Trail #780
3.2 mi
693 ft
Moderate
Hidden Lake Trail #779
8.4 mi
2,694 ft
Very hard
Flag Mountain Trail #766
3.8 mi
1,397 ft
Hard
Mirror Lake Trail #664
7 mi
1,695 ft
Hard
Paradise Park Trail #778
13.8 mi
3,574 ft
Very hard
Maggie’s Trail #753
0.8 mi
80 ft
Easy
Lucy’s Trail #752
0.4 mi
21 ft
Easy
Summit Trail #691
4 mi
430 ft
Moderate
Devils Tie Trail #767
0.6 mi
345 ft
Easy
Cool Creek Trail #794
6 mi
3,375 ft
Very hard
