Overview
Rolling down National Scenic Highway 101 along the foothills and beaches of the Pacific Northwest, our Oregon road cycling tour pulls out all the stops to truly showcase and fully savor the beautifully diverse Oregonian coastline, one of the state’s Seven Wonders.
Starting from the Columbia River at the state’s northwest edge, we wend our way along what locals call the People’s Coast, Oregon’s entirely public owned coastline—360-miles from end to end—enjoying scattered sea stacks, sandstone cliffs, vibrant inlets, not to mention oxygen rich ocean breezes. Blissfully detached from noise, commercialism or the crush of cars, this is some unparalleled road biking.
Our cycling tour offers some variety in the form of an exploratory rest day. This break from the saddle affords the opportunity to explore several state parks nearby; enjoying the rugged coast at our respective leisure. We then head to Reedsport, where lush forest gives way to thousands of acres of cream-colored sand dunes in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
Evenings are spent in quaint campgrounds, or inns; each brought to a theatric close with a brilliant Pacific Ocean sunset. This cycling trip rewards with an experience of a lifetime that drinks in the very best of coastal Oregon!
Day 1: Meet in Portland. From a morning pick-up at the hotel, we’ll shuttle two-and-a-half hours to Ft. Stevens State Park. Amidst this 156-year old coastal defense battery in Oregon’s northwest corner, we’ll get acquainted over a lunch, prepared by your guides. Our first stage kicks off from Ft. Stevens at the mouth of Columbia River. Sweeping south, we’ll pass through the town of Seaside, hugging the coast toward Cannon Beach. Called one of the world’s most beautiful places by National Geographic, Cannon Beach is a seaside village of art galleries, glassblowing studios and smart cafes, joined by pathways and courtyards spilling over with flowers. Besides its wide, white-sand beach—called the best in Oregon—Cannon Beach can lay claim one of the largest coastal monoliths in the world: 327-ft tall Haystack Rock. The centerpiece of a national wildlife refuge, Haystack Rock looms a half-mile offshore. Birders take note: this coastal preserve draws the rare Tufted Puffin. Pushed by an oxygen rich sea breeze, our peloton continues along the coast. Manzanita, a charming coastal town stretched across seven miles of sandy shoreline closes out today’s stage. We overnight in Manzanita, one of Oregon’s most photogenic locales.
Day 2: Today’s stage transitions from lush coastal rainforests to dairy country. Departing Manzanita in soft morning light, we sweep along the North Oregon coast toward Rockaway Beach, a family-friendly vacation spot since 1920. Next up is Tillamook, where cows far outnumber bipeds. After taking in the home base of the world-famous cheese producer, set amidst estuaries, coastal bays, sloughs and freshwater lakes, this stage then merges onto the wildly scenic Three Capes scenic route (alternate to US-101). Segments along this 40-mile stage range from old growth forest to high coastal headlands where Grey whales are often sighted. Closer to the road, mink, elk, seabirds and raptors are regularly spotted along this route. We close out with panoramic flourish at Pacific City, the southernmost settlement along the Three Capes route: another sweet spot renowned for its epic seaside sunsets.
Day 3: Call it the ultimate layover day. Giving the legs a day to refresh, we explore nearby Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area. Where heavy surf collides with sandstone headlands, you can ogle hang gliders soaring over the seaside bluffs, lose yourself in perfect crests of sand dunes, or watch fishing dories launch from the beach. If a more up-tempo option is preferable, you can thru-hike to Hart’s Cove: a wonderfully withdrawn seaside inlet nestled within the stunning Cascade Head Scenic Research Area, or Cape Lookout. There’s also Option Three: get barreled Pacific Northwest style. To that end, Pacific City offers both surfboard rentals and agreeable beach break. Option Four: The Happy Hollow Loop bike ride.
Day 4: Today’s stage, long on calming atmospherics and big-ring rhythm winds through stands of dense forest beyond Lincoln City (pop. 7930). Sweeping south we route through a number of state parks, including Siletz Bay: a federal wildlife refuge where hawks, herons and thousands of other shorebirds gather above prime Chinook salmon and Cutthroat trout habitat. Today’s stage closes at Newport, (pop. 9,989), a 151-year old settlement. Home to the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, Newport can claim the state’s tallest lighthouse (93-ft.) and a mile-wide stretch of basalt rocks below that applaud the oncoming tidal surges. At The Old Bay Front, Newport’s 19-century roots are on full display along a lively, wonderfully preserved waterfront. But that dazzle extends clear out into the Pacific, given Newport’s status as one of Oregon’s premier ocean diving areas. The evening is given over to an enjoyable stroll through town, dropping into the art and jewelry shops along Main Street.
Day 5: Heading south, our stage from Newport to Cape Perpetua sweeps through a series of coastal towns: from Seal Rock to Waldport and Yachats. Stretched five sinewy miles along Oregon PCH-1, Seal Rock is defined by tide pools, estuaries, and ancient rock formations, or “seal rocks” on one side. While big, majestic forest dominates the opposite side. Riding through Waldport (pop 2033), 18-miles south of Newport, we’ll traverse one of the region’s best-known scenic bridges. Where 19th century German settlers, sawmills and canneries have come and gone we get a taste of a first-rate beachcomber destination whose greatest charm is its obscurity. Next, we pass through Yachats (pop. 690), a crabbing, clamming and storm-watching spot. At the center of Central Oregon, the town’s name can be traced to the Chinook Indian word Yahuts: meaning dark water at the foot of the mountain. We stop here, at “the little village with a big smile”; relishing the space between lush rainforests of the Coast Range and the Pacific. The stage continues through the 630,000-acre Suislaw National Forest to Cape Perpetua. A large, forested headland, Cape Perpetua offers terrific leg stretching: 26-miles of hiking trail through old growth forest. The CCC built not only the trail system, but also a handsome stone observation shelter. From this lookout atop the Cape, we glimpse Thor’s Wall. A deep, basalt cavern—or, perhaps a collapsed sea cave—Thor’s is but one enthralling feature set within the larger, utterly captivating shoreline.
Day 6: Today, wrap day, we transition from rocky-frothy coastline to big dune country. Two rather unique stops on this final stage add the appropriate punctuation to our Oregon Coast tour. Egressing from Cape Perpetua, we stop at the 125-year old Heceta Lighthouse, 13-miles south of Yachats. Considered amongst the most beautiful lighthouses the world over, Heceta stands 205-ft above the ocean. Next up, we sweep into an alien world… or a B-movie set at the Darlingtonia State Natural Area. An 18-acre botanical preserve dedicated to just one species, Darlingtonia is home to the Cobra Lily, or Pitcher Plant: a 10-20 inch carnivore. At Jesse M Honeymoon State Park, we close out a brisk six-day tour with a wonderfully kickback picnic, set alongside an idyllic lake. Subsequent to 1:00 p.m. lunch, we shuttle back to Portland, arriving between 4-5 p.m.