Central Oregon is known for its awe-inspiring hikes deep in the alpine wonderland of the Cascade Range.

But closer to Bend are many shorter hikes that fit the bill for those pressed for time or for those who just want something a little easier.

Here are 10 hikes (or trail runs) either in Bend or within a 20-minute drive of Bend. The last five all involve sections of the Deschutes River Trail.

1. Pilot Butte

Pilot Butte is a State Scenic Viewpoint with myriad trails.

The 1-mile climb to the top of this prominent high point in the center of Bend leads to incredible 360-degree views of the Cascades to the west and the Badlands to the east.

Hikers can take the paved road or a trail to the top, which features a peak identifier of all the surrounding mountains and buttes.

2. Lava Butte

South of Bend off U.S. Highway 97, Lava Butte rises 500 feet above the Lava Lands Visitor Center.

Lava Butte is located within the 500-square-mile Newberry National Volcanic Monument, which features hundreds of cinder cones and small lava flows.

The .75-mile Trail of the Molten Land is a paved path that takes hikers through the lava flow. Visitors can also drive to the top of the butte and check out a short trail that overlooks the summit crater.

3. Bessie Butte

Perhaps a somewhat underappreciated butte, Bessie offers a pleasant climb and likely offers more solitude than the aforementioned buttes.

Located off Forest Road 1810 just off China Hat Road southeast of Bend, the Bessie Butte Trail is .7 miles from the trailhead to the top of the butte. At the top is a vast panorama of Cascade peaks and their foothills.

4. Central Oregon Historic Canal Trail

This might be the only trail that continues uninterrupted (sort of) from east Bend to west Bend. It goes under U.S. Highway 97 via a tunnel and a pedestrian crosswalk gets you across busy Third Street.

But away from the bustle, this trail offers a scenic stroll or run among ponderosa trees, a flowing canal (May through October) and lots of Canada geese.

At its west end the Canal Trail connects with the Deschutes River Trail. It stretches east all the way to 15th Street and Ferguson Road.

5. Flatiron Rock

About a 20-minute drive east of Bend, the Flatiron Rock Trail is in the 30,000-acre Badlands Wilderness, an area dotted with twisted old juniper trees and intricate rock formations.

The trek to Flatiron Rock is 6 miles roundtrip, but is mostly flat and easy. Flatiron Rock is an outcrop with rock walls that are lined by a few short trails. The rocks feature holes and gouges that were formed by ancient lava flows. Some of the rocks form jagged, strange arches at the top of the outcrop where sections of rock reach out to connect to one another.

6. Tumalo State Park

The 2.4-mile Tumalo State Park segment of the 12-mile Deschutes River Trail is beautiful and less crowded than other areas of the DRT.

This section of the river flows fast through a canyon with high bluffs on either side. This can also be a decent place for anglers to land trout.

7. Riley Ranch Nature Preserve

Just south of Tumalo State Park, Riley Ranch Nature Reserve has some wide, easy trails near the Deschutes River.

According to the Bend Park & Recreation District, Riley Ranch encompasses 184 acres, including 35 acres of canyon floor along the Deschutes River and a 30-acre band of rimrock cliffs.

The reserve includes dramatic views of the Cascade peaks and the river canyon. There are 1.57 miles of soft-surface trail above the canyon and 1.25 miles of rugged trail running on the Canyon Loop, according to bendparksandrec.org.

8. First Street Rapids

The Deschutes River Trail from First Street Rapids Park is a path in Bend that is suitable for all levels of hikers and runners. The wide trail features several hills as it climbs from near downtown along the north edge of Awbrey Butte.

A trailhead is at First Street Rapids Park at the end of First Street off Newport Avenue. The trail connects north to Sawyer Park and south to Pioneer Park via a pedestrian bridge.

9. South Canyon DRT

Just south of Bend’s Old Mill District, the South Canyon section of the Deschutes River Trail has become one of the most popular and crowded trails in Bend because of its accessibility and sheer beauty.

South of the Healy Bridge the trail transforms from a paved urban path to a plush ribbon of dirt alongside the ever-present, fast-flowing Deschutes. A footbridge at the south end connects the two sides of the trail.

10. DRT from Meadow Camp to Benham Falls

This 8.5-mile stretch of the Deschutes River Trail is a bit farther out of town, but can still attract crowds. It is hard to overstate the scenery of this area, which includes, waterfalls, rapids, lava rock and pristine ponderosa pine forest.

Hikers and runners can break this trail down into smaller sections for a shorter trip, or they can push it all the way to Sunriver for an epic trek along the iconic Deschutes.