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The Willamette Valley sits between the Oregon Coast Range to the west and the Cascade Mountains to the east—both home to epic mountain biking trails.
Whether you're new to riding or have been shredding trails for years, you'll find plenty to love about the region's mountain biking scene. Load up your gear—or book a rental and shuttle through a local outfitter—and check out winding paths rich with technical challenges, flowy stretches, and exciting obstacles. Along the way, you'll follow crystal-clear rivers, head through the heart of old-growth forests, and enjoy occasional views of snow-capped mountain peaks.
Here's a guide to getting started and enjoying the hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails at our doorstep.
Photo by Gritchelle Fallesgon
The former logging community of Oakridge sits in the heart of the Cascade Range—and is surrounded today by nearly 400 miles of mountain biking trails that weave through towering forests in the shadow of nearby peaks.
Oakridge was designated a gold-level Ride Center in 2015 by the International Mountain Bicycling Association—an honor that reflects the breadth of the community's offerings, from rentals and shuttles to trails for riders of all skill and experience levels.
Start planning your trip to Oakridge and the nearby community of Westfir with these guides to the region's trails.
Get a feel for outdoor activities in Oakridge and Westfir with our guide to the area's overnight stays, mountain biking trails, food and drink suggestions, and more.
Take a deep dive into mountain biking around Oakridge, complete with a breakdown of popular trails, post-ride stops, and convenient transportation suggestions.
Get the skinny on Cascades Outdoor Center—the Westfir-based outfitter that provides shuttles to popular trailheads and guided tours along some of the area's best-known trails.
From the flowy forests around Silver Falls State Park to the world-class trails along Highway 58 deep in the Cascade Range, the Willamette Valley offers plenty of world-class mountain biking trails.
Find a trail to suit your skill and experience level—and start planning your next epic trip—with our guide to five great places to mountain bike in the Willamette Valley.
Photo by Reed Lane
Oakridge and Westfir are ground zero for some of the region's most acclaimed mountain biking, but they're far from the only places to ride. Get inspired with our guides to outdoor activities along the Molalla River, the McKenzie River, and in the Old Cascades.
Just east of the Willamette Valley, the Old Cascades welcome mountain bikers with summit views, wildflower displays, and more. Learn about mountain biking in the Old Cascades—including top trails in the region, helpful tips, and essential resources.
Dozens of miles of single-track trails and dirt roads crisscross the lush Molalla River Recreation Area. Get the skinny on mountain bike trails along the Molalla River Corridor, as well as other outdoor opportunities across the forested region.
The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail heads through ancient lava flows, follows its namesake waterway, passes Clear Lake, and more across 26 scenic miles. Learn about outdoor activities, including mountain biking, along the McKenzie River.
Photo by Dylan VanWeelden
We believe the trails of the Willamette Valley are for everyone, so we teamed up with Jeremy P. McGhee, founder of The UNPavement, to showcase and detail a few popular mountain bike trails across the region—and share the relevant accessibility information with readers.
Jeremy's first foray took him to Silver Falls State Park—where a mix of service roads and sweeping trails undulate through a lush forest at the eastern edge of the Willamette Valley. Learn about adaptive mountain biking at Silver Falls State Park, and watch Jeremy's unedited video of the park's signature loop to see what you're in for on your next adventure.
