Thinking of someplace new or different for a fantastic bike ride? Somewhere with some singular scenery and low-traffic roads, or a farmland route that swings by wineries, pubs and inviting downtowns? Maybe a lake loop or a pedal to a one-of-a-kind train trestle that will make the whole family smile? You must be thinking of the Tualatin Valley.
From chill flatlands to 50-mile circuits that cover just about everything Washington County has to offer, bike riding in the Tualatin Valley just minutes west of Portland has got the goods. Here are five fantastic rides that will satisfy the cyclist in just about everyone.
1. Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway
You’d be hard-pressed to find a 50-mile stretch of bike riding in Oregon that offers more scenic, culinary and small-town variety than the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway. Established in 2013, the route pedals leisurely through two somewhat distinct sections: You can ride in either direction, but if you’re heading out from the southern end, the first 30 miles start near the Tualatin River in the lovely Rood Bridge Park of Hillsboro and wind their way along relatively quiet country roads; the other section rolls across 21 miles of the popular Banks-Vernonia State Trail. In between the two trailheads, riders enjoy far-off views of the Oregon Coast Range, swaths of bucolic farmland, peaceful forests and all the other scenery, birds and wildlife that color the Tualatin River basin. Beyond the natural attractions, the bikeway passes the historic Old Farmington Schoolhouse and the Pioneer Cemetery; cruises near several wineries; and cuts through the characteristic downtowns of Vernonia, Banks and Forest Grove.
2. Family-Friendly Banks-Vernonia State Trail
The entirety of the 21-mile Banks-Vernonia State Trail — a paved rails-to-trails, car-free path that was recently designated a national recreation trail — is a true cycling gem for just about anyone on two wheels. But 21 miles can also be a long way for cyclists young and old. Thankfully, the trail has multiple access points (many equipped with bike hubs with basic repair tools), so it’s not hard to carve out a family-friendly route that captures the essence of this singular trail. A 13.6-mile round-trip option starts out mostly flat in the town of Banks and unfolds through rolling hills and tunnel-like forests before gradually inclining to a high point of about 450 feet at the stunning Buxton Trestle bridge, where riders can peer down 80 feet to the gentle waters of Mendenhall Creek. Those looking for an even shorter route that still incorporates the trestle can access the trail at the Manning Trailhead and ride the slight uphill to Buxton for a roughly 6-mile round trip. Or simply start at the trestle and just ride as far as the family’s up for.
3. Henry Hagg Lake Loop
Mountain views. Towering trees. A pretty lake in the country. And a chance for a cooling swim after an invigorating 10-mile bike ride. That’s the enticing paved loop around Henry Hagg Lake in a nutshell. The route rides the wide shoulder of lightly trafficked main roads. The ups and downs keep it interesting, as does the nearly constant view of the lake and the surrounding evergreen forest, which unfurls west toward the Coast Range foothills. Should you get an unexpected flat, don’t fear — Hagg Lake is equipped with bike hubs offering tools, an air pump and a bike stand. There are two hubs at the lake: one at the main entry and one at the C-Ramp Recreation Area. After your ride, cool off with a dip in the lake (borrow a PFD from a park kiosk, as the water can be unexpectedly dangerous), or pack a rod and some tackle and cast for bass, catfish, trout and perch.
4. North Plains Farms and Forests Tour
At the far western edge of the Portland metro region, tiny North Plains makes a great jumping-off point to explore the quieter reaches of Tualatin Valley. This ride is a 23.3-mile out-and-back delight that takes in the classic forests, fields and foothill panoramas of the Coast Range. Since it’s only lightly populated in these parts, the route — largely up Northwest Dairy Creek Road — is often equally light on traffic, which makes for a pleasant pedal. Even better: Though you’ll climb about 550 feet over the first 11 miles, when you turn around and come back, it’s almost all downhill.
5. Forest Grove to Coast Range Tour
Want a circuit that encapsulates some of the best of two of the rides above? The Forest Grove to Coast Range Tour is the answer. This 36-mile loop starts in Forest Grove on part of the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway before heading south and west toward the Coast Range foothills and the loop around Henry Hagg Lake. Once around the lake, the route dips down toward Patton, passing by Failla Wines, Kramer Vineyards and The One Horse Tavern in Gaston before rolling north through aptly named landscapes like Penstemon Prairie and Fernhill Forest. The final leg is an easy pedal past the Fernhill Wetlands, a 700-acre expanse that’s part natural water-treatment site and part birding hot spot, with some 245 species recorded to date.
