Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway

Champoeg, OR, US

Route Overview

Oregon Scenic Bikeways

The Best of Oregon Riding

134 mi.
2,585 ft.

Relive Oregon’s history, sample the agricultural bounty of the Willamette Valley, pedal through tranquil scenery and make your own history by riding the first official Scenic Bikeway in the United States. The Bikeway follows its namesake river as it winds through the Willamette Valley, shaped by the Coast Range to the west and the towering Cascade Mountains to the east. The links to the left provide detailed cues to ride the route starting at Champoeg State Heritage Area. See "Trip Planning Resources" in the Route Details below to ride the route starting at Armitage County Park.

Route Details

Oregon Scenic Bikeways

Oregon Scenic Bikeways are a superb collection of cycling routes that inspire people to experience Oregon's natural beauty and cultural heritage by bicycle, and that offer economic and social benefits to the state's communities and residents. The program is administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Trip Planning Resources

Downloadable map and cue sheet for the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway.

GPS files and route profile for cyclists starting the route at Champoeg State Heritage Area and riding south to Amitage County Park.

GPS files and route profile for cyclists starting the route at Amitage County Park and riding north to Champoeg State Heritage Area.

Visit RideOregonRide for videos and photos, guide and shuttle companies, cycling events, attractions, lodging, Bike Friendly business locations, and more.

Cyclists traveling to or from the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway via Amtrack or other modes can use these routes between Eugene and Armitage Park: Amtrack to Armitage and Armitage to Amtrack. The routes are not a part of the bikeway, but do offer cyclists a way to access the bikeway.

Information about road conditions from Oregon Department of Transportation's TripCheck. Additionally, current information on the condition of local roads can be obtained from the Marion County Public Works Department (503-588-5036) and the Linn County Road Department (541-967-3919).

Route Description

The Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway takes cyclists alongside fields of Oregon’s world-famous hops, past views of vineyards and through quaint towns. The valley’s temperate climate encourages year-round biking. Bring rain gear for winter riding. April through November brings sunshine, amazing flower displays, farmers markets full of hazelnuts, strawberries and Marionberries (a fruit unique to the area).

The northern point of the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway is Champoeg State Heritage Area, where settlers gathered in the 1850s to hold what turned out to be a very close vote that led to the creation of the state of Oregon.

After passing Willamette Mission State Park, the Bikeway continues through Keizer to Salem and Oregon's state Capitol Building.

After passing by Independence and through the Ankeny Wildlife Refuge, the route continues on quiet country roads through the small towns Jefferson and Albany, past the historic Thompson Mills State Heritage Site, and on to Brownsville.

On leaving Brownsville, the Bikeway climbs to an elevation of 740 feet--its highest point--before dropping back down to Coburg and its southern terminus at Armitage County Park.

Two of the Willamette River's three remaining ferries are within short side trips from the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway. The Wheatland Ferry and the Buena Vista Ferry are jointly operated by the counties and provide passage for farm equipment, trucks, cars, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Important Reminder

Scenic Bikeway routes often include roads with car and truck traffic. Although the Bikeways are routed on low-traffic and low-speed roads whenever possible, most are designated for cyclists who are comfortable riding in some amount of traffic.

Other routes by Oregon Scenic Bikeways