|
Most of the routes shown here utilize the end of the Hillsboro
MAX line as the ride starting point. Just pay
the usual fare to bring your bike aboard; it's fast & easy! For the
basic information on bringing your bike on the MAX, click
here. To see a map of the MAX light rail click
here. For more complete information on routes and
conditions for cyclists between Portland & the Oregon Coast, consult the Oregon
Bike Guide & the Oregon Coast Bike Map.
3 Featured Routes:
Following State Highways 47 and 202 to Astoria, the
northernmost town on the Oregon coast. Ride on the Banks-Vernonia State
Rail-Trail for a portion of the way between Banks and Vernonia; past Vernonia,
the route follows the upper Nehalem River for much of the way, & traffic
is generally fairly light.
- Total Distance, from Hillsboro MAX station to
Astoria: 100 miles
Alternate Route: from Portland, follows
Highway 30 northwest along the Columbia River past Sauvie Island to the town
of Scappoose, then on the Scappoose-Vernonia Road to Highway 47, rejoining
the main route just 4 miles north of Vernonia. Traffic on Highway 30
is high but shoulders are wide. The Scappoose-Vernonia Rd. is narrow,
but with fairly low traffic volumes.
After rolling through the farm country of the western Tualatin Valley, join
Highway 6 and then head north through the hills on the quiet Timber Rd. to
join Highway 26, & climb into the coast range. Higher traffic on
Highway 26, but shoulders are generally good (3 feet or more). At
the crossing of the Nehalem River at Jewell Junction, follow the quiet Lower
Nehalem Road through sylvan glades to where it empties into the Pacific
Ocean at Nehalem Bay.
Note: about 8 miles of this road is unpaved, but roadbed condition is in
fair condition & should be manageable on 32c or larger tires.
- Total Distance, from Hillsboro MAX station to Manzanita: 80
miles
Alternate Route: continue on Highway 6 past the Timber
Road turnoff, passing through the Tillamook State Forest to the town of
Tillamook & the Three Capes area. Highway 6 has considerably
lower traffic volumes than the other main routes to the coast from
Portland (Hwys. 30, 26, & 18), and there are shoulders (3
feet or greater) for most of the way.
Perhaps the most scenic & least traffic of all the going-to-the-coast
routes, this route takes you southwest through farmland, following
Meadowlake Road west of Carlton into the Coast Range. Cresting the
summit, glide down the beautiful Nestucca River to join Hwy. 101 at Beaver.
Note: 2 miles of the Nestucca River Rd. are unpaved, but roadbed condition
is good & should be manageable on 28 c or larger tires.
| 
