When We Like to Ride This

The Corvallis-to-the-Sea (C2C) Trail is best enjoyed in spring through early summer (May–June), when conditions are at their peak.

• Spring to Early Summer (May–June): Wildflowers, especially Oregon iris, blanket the Coast Range foothills. Snowmelt and spring rains keep water sources dependable, while mild temperatures and firm trail surfaces make for ideal riding.
• Summer (July–August): Riders are rewarded with ripe huckleberries and salmonberries along the route. However, the drier months can mean scarce water and hotter conditions, especially in exposed sections.
• Fall: Cooler weather and vibrant scenery create a comfortable ride, but it overlaps with hunting season in the Coast Range, so extra awareness is needed.

We do not recommend riding the trail in late fall or winter. The route is often very wet during these seasons, and riding can cause significant damage to the trail.

Terrain & Riding

The Corvallis-to-the-Sea Trail offers a diverse riding experience as it winds from the Willamette Valley to the Pacific Coast.

• Corvallis to Philomath: The route begins near the confluence of the Willamette and Marys rivers on the edge of downtown Corvallis. A paved bike path leads out of town, weaving past quiet creeks, young forests, and suburban neighborhoods before reaching the smaller community of Philomath.
• Into the Coast Range: From Philomath, the trail climbs into the Oregon Coast Range. Riders follow rural paved roads past historic farmsteads before transitioning onto gravel forest roads. Expect a mix of logged landscapes and deep cedar and Douglas fir stands as the route skirts the northern slopes of Marys Peak—the tallest mountain in the Coast Range. In spring, wildflowers brighten the foothills, with Oregon iris adding purple and blue highlights. This section passes through the traditional homelands of the Kalapuya people.
• Descent to the Coast: The final leg drops toward the Pacific, tracing old Forest Service roads and remote logging corridors. Moss-draped forests of hemlock and cedar give way to the dramatic coastline and the coastal community of Newport, where the trail meets the sea.

If you time it just right, you may be able to stain your fingers with berry juice from huckleberries, blackberries, salmonberries, or thimbleberries.

The Start

Parking is allowed in the south gravel parking lot (at the corner of 53rd Street and Reservoir Road). Be sure to place a visible note on your dashboard stating that you are hiking or biking the C2C Trail and include your return date—or alternatively, call the Benton County Sheriff’s non-emergency line (541-766-6858) to notify them and avoid citation for an abandoned vehicle.

If you’d rather park inside the fenced, paved fairgrounds, there’s an alternative option—advance arrangements can be made with fairgrounds staff to park there for $10/night.

Food & Water

• ~ mile 33 / Big Elk Campground

Route Notes

1. Permits Required

   Starker Forest | ~ Miles 11 to 15
   The sector along Old Peak Road crosses through private property owned by Starker Forests. They are supportive of recreation on their land, but do require a (free) permit. Stop on by their office in Corvallis, or call 541-929-2477 to obtain an access permit. Note that e-bikes are not allowed on Starker Forest land.

   Emery Investments/Wilder | ~ Mile
   Emery Investments owns the land from the gate near Oregon Coast Community College extending about 3.2 miles south along Road 200, which includes the Wilder Mountain Bike Trails. To access this area, visitors must obtain a free permit. Permits are issued by email after you send a photo of your driver’s license to permits@eenw.com.

2. Once in Newport, check out one of the six bike rides by the City of Newport. They look intriguing!

Route Options

Temporary Closure & Detour (due to timber harvest)

A 7.8-mile section of the C2C Trail on the north side of Marys Peak is temporarily CLOSED due to a timber harvest. During this time, the trail will be detoured along an alternate route (marked in red on the map, clickable image).

• Route Map: C2C Trail (Timber Harvest Re-route v 0.1)
• GPX File: Download (v0.1)

Look for C2C-labeled flat white signposts at the start of the detour and along the way. These replace our usual brown markers—please follow them carefully.

Important Rules on Forest Service Road 2005:

• Stay on the road at all times.
• No camping or campfires are allowed anywhere between the gates on FS2005.
• This area is part of the City of Corvallis watershed, where recreational activities are normally prohibited without a special permit.
• The C2C Trail Association has secured a temporary permit to allow trail use during the timber harvest.

This route offers flexibility for different riding styles and trip goals. You can complete it as a multi-day out-and-back or as a one-way, point-to-point adventure using public transportation to return.

Credit Card Tour
If you prefer to travel light, this route works perfectly as a credit-card tour. Ride from Corvallis to Newport and reward yourself with an overnight stay in a lively coastal town. You’ll find plentiful lodging, dining, and hospitality options to round out the trip.

Bikepacking Option
For those seeking a classic bikepacking experience, this route can be stretched into a two-day journey from Corvallis to the coast:

• Day 1: Ride to Big Elk Campground (mile 33) for your first overnight stay.
• Day 2: Continue to the coast, finishing at South Beach State Park (camping), located just south of Newport. From there, it’s only three miles into Newport, where you’ll find a range of food and lodging options.

Point-to-Point with Public Transportation
If you prefer a one-way ride, you can finish in Newport and return by bus. The Northwest Connector offers scheduled service from Newport to Philomath or Corvallis. Bikes are allowed on the front rack on a first-come, first-served basis.

Out-and-Back Adventure
Looking for more miles? Turn this into a multi-day out-and-back by riding from Corvallis to the coast, staying overnight, and returning along the same route. Or, if you’re feeling creative, choose a different route home—and let us know what you discover!

Sugar Bowl Trail + Mary’s Peak Road Sector
From May 15 to October 15, riders can take the Sugar Bowl Creek Trail accessed at ~ mile 20.5. This 3-mile singletrack section is open to bikes only during this period (only) and connects directly to Marys Peak Road. This is our preferred ride of the C2C Trail.

• Route Map: C2C Trail (via Sugar Bowl & Mary’s Peak Road v0.1)
• GPX File: Download (v0.1)

Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!