Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway

Union County, OR, US

Route Overview

Oregon Scenic Bikeways

The Best of Oregon Riding

134 mi.
4,546 ft.

Your wheels will sing under the big sky as miles of remote open road beckon and your cares melt away on the Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway. Starting at Riverside Park north of La Grande and passing through the communities of Island City, Union, North Powder, Baker City and Cove, this bikeway offers quiet country roads with stunning views of the Blue and Wallowa Mountains. The links to the left provide detailed cues to ride the route in a counter-clockwise direction. See "Trip Planning Resources" in the Route Details below for cues to ride the route in a clockwise direction.

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 Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway.

GPS files and route profile for cyclists riding the route in a counter-clockwise direction.

GPS files and route profile for cyclists riding the route in a clockwise direction.

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

The Wallowa Mountains are one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. See one – or better yet, see them all.

Information about road conditions from Oregon Department of Transportation's TripCheck. Additionally, ODOT offices in Union County (541-963-1016) and Baker County (541-523-6417) can provide current information about road conditions.

Route Description

The Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway covers some of the route traveled by pioneers on the Oregon Trail. The 134-mile figure-8 route offers something for everybody. Cyclists seeking a challenging ride can tackle the entire route and those wanting a more leisurely trip can divide their route into segments.

The ride begins at Riverside Park in La Grande, population 13,000, with restaurants, motels, a bicycle shop and grocery stores. From there, the route takes riders though the small northeastern Oregon communities of Island City just outside of La Grande, Union at the confluence of the two loops, and the railroad town of North Powder with its views of the Elkhorn Mountains.

The halfway point of the route is historic Baker City, where you can refresh and spend a relaxing night enjoying excellent dining and accommodations, stop by the local bicycle shop or an award-winning microbrew.

The return trip takes cyclists through the unincorprated community of Medical Springs enroute to a climb to Catherine Summit at 4,178 feet that is rewarded with a 6-mile downhill ride to Catherine Creek State Park. The final leg of the route takes cyclists through Cove and along the foothills of the Wallow Mountains on the return to Riverside Park.

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