Sublimity Hills

5 Star Route / Willamette Valley, Oregon / Published: Feb 2020 / Directions

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Caution: Livestock guard dogs may be present. Learn how to handle encounters.

Fields along road with strokes of sunshine highlighting them in Sublimity, Oregon.

Leading out, just before the first gravel sector.

Gravel road near the Lone Fir cemetery near Sublimity, Oregon.

Approaching Lone Fir cemetary.

Headstone from the Lone Fir cemetery near Sublimity, Oregon.

The Waldo hills near Sublimity in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.

Waldo hills, miles 7 to 12.

Rider next to his gravel bike near the top of Union Hill near Sublimity, Oregon.

Me! At the top of Union Hill, ~ mile 12.

Clover fields along Triumph road in the Willamette Valley, Oregon.

Triumph road, clover fields at ~ mile 16.

Green fields and gravel roads near Basl Hill, in the Willamette Valley.

Near Basl Hill, the last kicker of the day.

Gravel bike in front of Mill creek on Spenner road near Sublimity, Oregon.

Mill creek, Spenner road near the finish.

Breadstick and pizza shop in Sublimity, Oregon.

The breadstick shop in Sublimity.

The disk golf course kiosk at Church park in Sublimity, Oregon.

The disk golf course at Church park.

The The parking area at Church park in Sublimity, Oregon.

The parking area at Sublimity park.

Mountain bike in front of a creek in Silver Falls state park near Sublimity, Oregon.

Mountain biking in Silver Falls park.

DeWayne's ride metrics for the Sublimity Hills route on the gravel bike site called Dirty Freehub.

DeWayne's ride metrics. Not the exact course, but close.

Route:

Loop | 28 mi

Gain:

2,100 ft

Surface:

45% gravel, 55% paved

Technical Difficulty:

Moderate

Navigation:

Straightforward

Locale:

Rural

Tire Suggestion:

40 mm

Options:

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“Sublimity is one of the most prettily situated towns in the valley, standing upon an elevated ridge at the south end of the long range of ‘Waldo Hills’ and overlooking in every direction one of the most beautiful and fertile stretches of country the eye could wish to behold.” Oregon Statesman, New Year’s Edition, 1 Jan 1899. (Yes! That date is correct!)

Or, in my words, this ride is endless rolling hills of green that will make you think you’re in the Scottish Highlands. With each changing season, and even time of day, the fields along the route change color, so the route and views never get old. The views from the tops of the many rolling hills (and from the historical, pioneer-day cemeteries) are stunning!

There are few flat areas, but the hills rarely exceed 6%, although there are a few short 8-9% thigh burners.

Map

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

GPX Download Version 1.0

Ride Details

When We Like to Ride This

We like to ride this route whenever it’s not pouring rain since the views never get old, and the vehicle traffic is always light. It is a great mid-week or weekend ride to train or maintain for the really big rides.

Terrain & Riding

The route starts out on pavement for a couple miles, then quickly turns to wonderful, rolling gravel … passing by Lone Fir Pioneer Cemetery(Est. 1850) and several farms. Just after mile 6, the road becomes paved again, a sparsely travelled paved road. You pass by a huge Christmas tree farm with some great vista views of the foothills to the East.

After you cross the Cascade Highway, ~ mile 8.5, it’s more wonderful gravel, and the views only get better from here. Stop at the Union Hill Pioneer Cemetery (~ mile 12.3) to take in the views of the Willamette Valley all the way to Mary’s Peak (to the west) and Drift Creek Canyon and the hills of Silver Falls State Park (to the east).

In just over a mile, you return to pavement and head to Coon Hollow (the canyon cradling Mill Creek, at ~ mile 19) where you’ll be rubbernecking at the many shades of green hills, canyons and creeks until you reach Basl Hill, a short thigh burner.

Start heading west, back towards the town of Sublimity, on Fern Ridge where you will overlook the Santiam Canyon with glimpses of the North Santiam River below (to your left and south). One more stretch of mostly downhill gravel paralleling beautiful Mill Creek on Spenner Rd awaits before the last few miles of pavement back to Church Park, breadsticks and pizza.

The Start

Lat / Long: 44.830178, -122.790973

Park at the Southeast corner of Church Park, where there are nice restrooms.

Food & Water

None.

Notes & Options

Route Notes

There are a couple of farm dogs on the gravel before getting to Union Hill, so be prepared to stop and “shoo” them back to their yards. They stop chasing if you’re not moving. They are Livestock Guardian Dogs, learn more here.
Bring your golf discs to play 9-holes at Church Park before or after the ride.

Comments

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

Love Where You Ride! Learn More

If you’ve never been to Silver Falls State park … we recommend making of a day of it and going. A spectacular waterfall, some short hikes, and some great mountain biking. Checkout the Catamount Trail. The backcountry trails are especially beautiful, and steep! The drive from Sublimity to the park is about 20 minutes.

Videos

The Ride! Sublimity Hills

A quick 2-minute video of what to expect on your ride!

Be Informed!

Livestock Guardian Dogs: What Cyclists Should Know

Livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) are special breeds trained to protect herds of sheep, goats, cattle, and other livestock from predators like wolves, cougars, and coyotes. Known for their strength, intelligence, and loyalty, LGDs are crucial to Oregon’s agricultural landscape. This guide helps cyclists recognize LGDs, navigate encounters with them, understand their behaviors and role in rural areas, and become familiar with the laws that protect them.

Panezanellie’s & Wooden Nickel

Bring a big appetite for the pastries and amazing stuffed breadsticks and pizza at Panezanellie’s, one block from the park. Another favorite of mine is the Wooden Nickel across the street. It has the BEST BBQ!

Ridden and Reviewed by:

KevinE / Team Dirty Freehub

He should have “Never Stop Exploring” tattooed on his chest! He loves adventures on bikes and is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

LindaE (aka Gravel Girl) / Team Dirty Freehub

She loves a good day of gravel, like most people like a good book. She’s always amused by the outdoors and the wild adventures. Gravel Girl is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

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