: Painted Hills Scenic Bikeway by Russ Roca
Things To DoOutdoor RecreationBicyclingRoad RidingRide the Oregon Scenic Bikeways

Ride the Oregon Scenic Bikeways

Travel Oregon,  Author
Russ Roca,  Photographer
November 22, 2017 (Updated June 30, 2026)

Bicycle stands against a mountain backdrop with trees, surrounded by text that reads

These aren’t your typical bike journeys. Oregon Scenic Bikeways are official state-designated routes selected and curated by experts, with printable maps, GPS and signage. They are the state’s best road rides, showcasing breathtaking landscapes — along high-desert highways, past geologic wonders, on covered bridges, next to roaring rivers, over snowy mountain passes and through charming communities. Choose from a half-day, family-friendly outing to a multi-day, remote and challenging route. Ride one or connect a series of bikeways for an epic adventure. Each of the 18 designated bicycle routes showcase a unique side of Oregon. Official route signs are posted along each bikeway.

Download the Oregon Scenic Bikeways guide here.

Aufderheide Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Extreme | Length: 60 Miles

Willamette Valley

The Aufderheide Scenic Bikeway follows 60 miles of smooth, 100% paved road with nearly 4,000 feet of elevation through a forested wonderland, where Douglas-firs tower overhead and mossy boulders catch the light in the spongy understory.

Best season: Spring, summer, fall

Cyclists ride through a wooden covered bridge. Sunlight filters in, casting shadows, with a forest visible at the bridge's exit. White railings line the wooden path.

A graphic shows a covered bridge over water, flanked by trees. Text reads:

Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Mild | Length: 36 Miles

Willamette Valley

The Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway is a family-friendly ride from a historic downtown through six historic covered bridges to a picturesque lake.

Best season: Year-round

photo of bikes on crooked river bikeway

A circular emblem displays a stylized canyon with a winding river, trees, and cliffs. Text reads:

Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Moderate | Length: 37 miles

Central Oregon

Meander through a secluded river canyon and towering basalt cliffs on the Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway.

Best season: Spring through fall

Two cyclists ride along a road bordered by vibrant purple flowers, with a snow-capped mountain visible in the distant background under a clear blue sky.

A circular emblem features two mountains with trees between them. Below, a bicycle over Oregon's outline. Text reads:

Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Moderate | Length: 29 Miles

Central Oregon

The Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway features fragrant fields, a high desert canyon lake and a horizon of snowy peaks.

Best season: Spring through fall

photo of sherars falls bikeway

A stylized graphic features a sun over mountains and a river with wheat stalks. Text reads

Sherar’s Falls Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Moderate | Length: 33 Miles

Central Oregon

Get up close and personal with the Deschutes River on the Sherar’s Falls Scenic Bikeway, a topographically diverse loop in a high desert canyon.

Best season: Spring and fall

Cyclists ride along a winding road beneath towering, sunlit cliffs. Fluffy clouds scatter across the bright blue sky, enhancing the dramatic landscape of rugged, golden rock formations and dry vegetation.

A circular emblem features outlined mountains and trees with text:

Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Moderate | Length: 37 Miles

Central Oregon

On the Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway, ride the high desert, with a different flavor of the Old West at each end.

Best season: Spring through fall

Two people on bicycles pedal across a bridge, surrounded by trees and a river below, under a clear blue sky.

A circular design features a line drawing of mountains, trees, a winding river, and a bridge. Below is text:

Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Moderate | Length: 36 Miles

Central Oregon

The Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway showcases the best of Central Oregon, from cities to canyons, all in a few hours of riding.

Best season: Spring through fall

Two cyclists ride on a wooden bridge, surrounded by trees and forest under a partly cloudy sky.

A white barn stands against rolling hills, trees, and clouds on a green background. Text reads

Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Moderate | Length: 51 Miles

Portland Region

Along the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway, enjoy the fruits of the farmlands and a car-free cruise through the forest.

Best season: Year-round

Four cyclists ride along a rural road, surrounded by trees and open fields, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

A circular logo features grape clusters above stylized vineyards and trees.

Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Moderate | Length: 134 Miles

Willamette Valley

Wind your way through the bounty of Oregon on the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, the nation’s first scenic bikeway.

Best season: Year-round

Two cyclists ride along a coastal road, with grassy hills and an ocean view in the background. A large rock formation stands near the shoreline under a clear blue sky.

A lighthouse stands surrounded by waves within a circular emblem. Text reads,

Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Moderate | Length: 61 Miles

Oregon Coast

On the Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway, ride alongside a Wild and Scenic River, cranberry bogs, towering basalt sea stacks and a historic lighthouse.

Best season: Year-round

Cyclists ride along a winding road beside a flowing river, surrounded by hilly, tree-covered terrain under a clear blue sky.

A stylized logo features a deer standing amidst pine trees and mountains. Text reads

Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Challenging | Length: 134 Miles

Eastern Oregon

Embark on the Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway and discover a figure-8 of stunning mountain views.

Best season: Spring through fall

Two cyclists ride on an empty road through a mountainous landscape with scattered vegetation under a cloudy sky.

A stylized design features a bull skull above wooden doors with trees. Text reads

Old West Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Challenging | Length: 174 Miles

Eastern Oregon

Pedal the Old West Scenic Bikeway through cowboy country to legendary heritage sites and fossil beds.

Best season: Spring and fall

Two bicyclists ride along a paved road next to a flowing river, surrounded by dense, lush forest under bright daylight.

Logo illustrating a fish jumping over a winding river with mountains in the background. Text reads:

Cascading Rivers Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Challenging | Length: 71 Miles

Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge

Follow two wild rivers through ancient forests on an up-and-over adventure on the Cascading Rivers Scenic Bikeway.

Best season: Spring through fall

Three cyclists ride along a long, straight road under a bright blue sky with clouds, bordered by vast, open grasslands and a distant horizon.

A logo features a covered wagon beneath mountains and trees, encircled by text:

Blue Mountain Century Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Extreme | Length: 108 Miles

Eastern Oregon

The Blue Mountain Century Scenic Bikeway is a challenging ride through fertile valleys into deep forest and back again.

Best season: Early summer, fall

Cyclists ride along a road; a mountain with a snow-capped peak and a dense forest are in the background, under a clear blue sky.

A circular emblem features a mountain landscape with trees and clouds. Below,

Cascade Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Extreme | Length: 55 Miles

Southern Oregon

Rise high above Ashland for a bird’s-eye view of Bear Creek Valley along the Cascade Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway.

Best season: Spring through fall

Cyclists ride on a paved road winding through rugged, rocky terrain surrounded by forested mountains under a clear blue sky. A green road sign with text reads

A mountain silhouette sits above a forest and a bicycle icon. Text reads: “MCKENZIE PASS SCENIC BIKEWAY, ORE.” The background is a muted beige color.

McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Extreme | Length: 38 miles

Central Oregon

Ride the McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway up and over the Cascades through two forests to a surreal volcanic landscape at the top.

Best season: Summer and fall

Cyclists ride along a paved path, surrounded by green fields, with snow-capped mountains in the background under a clear sky.

A stylized drawing shows a pronghorn antelope with a mountain backdrop under

Oregon Outback Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Extreme | Length: 90 miles

Southern Oregon

Pedal through an undiscovered, ruggedly beautiful region on the Oregon Outback Scenic Bikeway.

Best season: Early spring through fall

Cyclists ride along a path, featuring colorful panniers, with a scenic backdrop of layered, multicolored hills under a cloudy sky.

A stylized illustration features hills with clouds above, framed as a logo. Text reads

Painted Hills Scenic Bikeway

Difficulty: Extreme | Length: 161 miles

Eastern Oregon

Geologic splendor and a variety of routes await you on the Painted Hills Scenic Bikeway, connecting all three units of the John Day Fossil Beds.

Best season: Late spring through fall

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Safety Tips

Please be aware that the Bikeway information here is advisory only. Riders assume all risks as far as the quality and accuracy of the information; in other words, you’re agreeing to use it at your own risk. For updates on road conditions, please visit TripCheck.com.

Many of the routes do not have cell service and are on roads with car and truck traffic. Cyclists must obey the rules of the road. For car-free riding, check out the Banks-Vernonia State Trail on the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway and the Row River Trail section of the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway.

A must-know: In Oregon, a bicycle is legally considered a vehicle (and the same laws apply). Riding with the direction of traffic is the law; it’s also the best way to be seen by motorists.

To demonstrate the best riding etiquette and promote good relations with motorists, please ride single-file. Riding side-by-side is legal, but only if doing so does not impede traffic. Be aware that many rural roads are used daily for commerce; there’s a good chance you’ll encounter large trucks carrying oversized loads.

Never forget about drivers’ blind spots — especially when the vehicle is turning right. If you’re going straight at an intersection with stopped vehicles, pull in behind the first stopped vehicle in the lane and wait your turn to go, as if you were a motorist.

All bicycle riders in Oregon under 16 must wear a helmet.

For more information on riding safely and legally in Oregon, visit the Oregon Department of Transportation.

About The
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Travel Oregon

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Ask Oregon

What do we need to know before cycling the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway?

Thanks for the question!  I biked the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway in 2011 (read my blog from the ride) and it was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. I rode in the opposite direction you’re planning, finishing the ride at Champoeg State Park.  Champoeg State Park offers RV spaces that you can reserve online….

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May 28, 2013
Cari Soong