6 | Willamette Valley Travel Guide It’s hardly a surprise, then, that outdoor recreation takes visitors into the heart of all that scenic beauty. So take your pick: Will you hike, bike or paddle your way through the Willamette Valley on your next unforgettable trip? Adventure Awa s OUTDOOR EXPLORATIONS AROUND THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY TAKE A HIKE IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY Hundreds of miles of hiking trails span the Willamette Valley, ranging from the foothills of Mount Hood to the pastoral valley floor to the height of the Oregon Coast Range. The 6.5-mile (10.5-kilometer) Molalla River Rim Trail Loop, for instance, has a bit of everything that makes the Willamette Valley so great: old-growth forest, plentiful wildlife watching and (in summer) wild berries that can be plucked right from the vine. Across the valley, Marys Peak towers over the Corvallis area as the tallest peak in the Oregon Coast Range—and the site of a popular network of hiking trails. From the summit, hikers enjoy 360-degree views that encompass the Pacific Ocean, Willamette Valley farmland and numerous Cascade peaks—including Mount Rainier in Washington and Mount Hood, Mount Je erson and the Three Sisters in Oregon. HOP IN THE SADDLE FOR A BIKE RIDE Rolling hillsides cut through acres of Willamette Valley farmland, dozens of covered bridges cross creeks and rivers, and forested foothills enchant in the region’s mountain ranges. And perhaps the best way to explore that wonder is from the seat of a bicycle. Mountain bikers have long been drawn to the likes of Westfi r and Oakridge (often called the mountain-biking capital of the Pacific Northwest), where thrilling singletrack trails o er outdoor excitement all year long. In fact, Oakridge is one of only six cities in the United States designated as a gold-level Ride Center by the International Mountain Bicycling Association—thanks in large part to its adrenaline-pumping mix of roots, rocks, jumps, berms and bridges. Road cyclists, meanwhile, have plenty of country roads and forested foothills to explore: The 36-mile (58-kilometer) Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway, for instance, follows a rails-to-trails path, circles the scenic Dorena Lake and, of course, hits several of Lane County’s famous covered bridges. And running through the heart of the region is the 134-mile (216-kilometer) Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, the first o cial scenic bikeway in the United States. Marys Peak Towering forests, panoramic peaks and a river running through it all: The Willamette Valley has no shortage of natural wonders.
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