Skip to content

Registration for the 2025 Cascade Lakes Relay & Bend Beer Chase is now open!

Volunteer

All proceeds from your volunteer labor go to our local charities.

Sponsors and Partnerships

Join our amazing group of local businesses who sponsor and support our events.

Donate

Donate money directly to the non-profit foundation to support our charity partners.

Community hub

Tune into the latest happenings in the Central Oregon running community.

About

The story & team behind Cascade Relays.

Cascade Relays Foundation

Our non-profit arm that gives back to our community.

Become a charity partner

Get support from Cascade Relays!

Contact

Get in touch with us.

May 23 – Oct 1, 2025

|

Central Oregon

Big Butte Challenge

Explore Central Oregon one epic butte at a time with our self-paced summer challenge featuring 9+ scenic hikes and the best local brews around. Whether you’re chasing views or cold pints (or both), this adventure is all about fresh air, fun trails, and laid-back vibes.

Register Now Packet Pick-Up

2 Challenges. One Butte-iful Summer.

Big Butte Challenge

9 Buttes | 35.2 miles | 9 pints

Relish in the fact that you will be summitting to the best views all summer. Plus enjoy 9 different & delicious pints from all around Central Oregon. So lace up those kicks and hike these epic volcanic remnants!

Mirco Butte Challenge

1 Butte | micro miles | 1 pint

Curious about the Big Butte Challenge but not ready to commit to all 9 hikes? Only in town for a short while? Looking for something new to do with visiting friends? Then this is the pour-fect Challenge for you!

The 2025 Big Butte Challenge is back! 🏔️

Join us for the Big Butte Challenge, where families and individuals come together to explore nine butte-iful buttes & breweries across Central Oregon, at their own pace, between Memorial Day Weekend and October 1st.  Your reward? Custom Big Butte Merch, street cred, swag bags, and a free pint at each butte-sponsored brewery. 🍻

But this isn’t just about bagging peaks and enjoying cold brews. It’s about achieving your personal best, supporting local businesses, and having the time of your life while doing it. And who says fitness challenges can’t be fun?

So gather your favorite people or challenge your work buddies to a summertime showdown. The Big Butte Challenge is the ultimate chance to get outside, explore new heights, and celebrate our butte-iful state.  Sign up today and start your adventure!

NEW BUTTES? NO WAY!

We were thrilled to add Vista and Tam-A-Lau to the lineup during the final stretch of last year’s challenge—and they’re here to stay! These scenic additions are now permanent fixtures in the challenge. And because we can’t help ourselves, we’re hoping to sneak in another butte (and brew) mid-season. Any new hikes added during the challenge will automatically be included for already registered participants—extra beer token and all!

The BUTTes

The Buttes and their brewery sponsors are:

Get ready to conquer those buttes!

  • The Big Butte Challenge brings people together to accomplish one common goal: to reach the summit of 9 Buttes in Central Oregon. Between Memorial Day Weekend and October 1st, participants hike or run each butte, on their own schedule, using custom maps to lead the way. After each summit, participants can visit the sponsored butte brewery and receive a pint on the house.

    • The Big Butte Challenge consists of 9 Butte Challenges. Participants can register for all 9 Challenges, or just one “Micro Challenge”.
    • Complete the challenges in any order, between May 23 – October 1, 2025.
    • Course routes are set one-way, from the trailhead to the summit. Only completion of the uphill effort is what matters. Once you reach the summit you can enjoy the spectacular views, take pictures, eat a snack and make your way down the butte at your leisure… You may even decide to take a different way back!
    • Complete a summit submission form after each butte to track your progress as you go, then head to the sponsored brewery and cheers to your victory!
    • Don’t forget to take a selfie while enjoying the Butte or the Brew afterwards, for a chance to win fun prizes.

  • Early Registration Pricing (5/7/25 – 5/22/25 )

    • Adult —All 9 buttes — $60
    • Youth (15 & Under) — All 9 Buttes Youth — $20
    • Micro Butte Challenge ( all ages) — $15

     

    Regular Registration Pricing (5/23/25 – October 1/25)

    • Adult —All 9 buttes — $65
    • Youth (15 & Under) — All 9 Buttes Youth — $25
    • Micro Butte Challenge ( all ages) — $20

    **All registration options include custom merch,  perks from our sponsors, and a free drink for every butte you summit!

    JOIN THE CHALLENGE TODAY!

  • PACKET PICKUP (Ongoing throughout The Challenge) 

    M-F | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    1001 SW Disk Dr, Bend, OR 97702

    Didn’t make it to the launch party? No problem.

    Packets will be available starting May 27 at The Haven Coworking front desk during regular business hours: Monday – Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, and can be picked up anytime throughout the duration of the challenge.

  • The Butte-iful Buttes & Brews

    Farewell (for now), Bessie Butte– Due to new Forest Service restrictions, Bessie Butte has been placed in a wildfire management zone and won’t be included in the 2025 Big Butte Challenge. While we’re bummed to hit pause on this fan favorite, we fully support the effort to protect our wild spaces. Don’t worry—we’re already out exploring new trails this month to bring you fresh bonus hikes!

    Any new hikes added during the challenge will automatically be included for already registered participants—extra beer token and all!

  • A physical beer token is required to redeem your well-earned pint from each sponsored brewery— Come snag your swag bag and let the adventure begin!

    Every participant receives:

    • Custom “I LIKE BIG BUTTES” merch
    • One butte beer token for each sponsored brewery (21+)
    • Perks and prizes from our sponsors

  • Photo Contests

    It’s social media contest time! 🤳 If you didn’t post it on Instagram, did it even happen?

    Post your best photos on social media throughout the challenge for the chance to win some AWESOME prizes! Use @cascaderelays #bigbuttechallenge

    • “Paws and Peaks”: Share your furry friend’s adventure spirit by snapping shots of them exploring the buttes or enjoying a brew with you at the breweries.
    • “Family Summit Snaps”: Strike a pose with your loved ones atop a butte, capturing the high spirits against the stunning backdrop.
    • Hoppy Moments: Post a photo celebrating after your climb at a sponsored brewery! Always tag #bigbuttechallenge @cascaderelays + the sponsoring brewery.

    Summit all 9 Buttes

    Ready to claim your rightful place among the winners? Complete all 9 butte challenges before time runs out and earn some serious street cred. Just fill out the Summit Submission Form for each butte you summit and join the ranks of legends!

  • Thank you for your interest in connecting to our vibrant community! The Big Butte Challenge has several partnership opportunities available and we’d love to connect with you. For more information, check out our Partner Packet and contact us here.

Vibe check

Butte Summit Submission Form ⛰️💪

Once you’ve summited a butte successfully, submit this form so our team can track it. You’ll need to do this for every Butte you summit. Once you’ve summited all 9 Buttes, you’ll have officially completed the Big Butte Challenge! Please ensure you’ve read the Proof of Completion Rules.

Get on the VIP list

Subscribe to the Cascade Relays Mailing list and you’ll be the first to know when events open, get special VIP-only discounts, and more!

Name(Required)