The Willamette Valley in Oregon provides mountain bikers with a range of accessible trails, rural settings, and amenities, all close to the I-5 corridor. The region, known for its wine production, also features several singletrack trails that attract mountain bikers.
The route starts at Silver Falls State Park, east of Salem. Silver Falls is recognized for its waterfalls and has recently added purpose-built mountain bike trails. Riders can use Lookout Mountain Road to reach the Catamount trail, which passes through a forest recovering from the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire. The Catamount Backside trail includes berms and a descent of nearly four miles.
The main Catamount trail has rollers and short climbs, suitable for various skill levels. After riding, visitors can travel west to Independence. The Independence Hotel, located on the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, offers in-room bike storage and a maintenance area…