Where does your bike take you? And we don’t just mean around town. As avid cyclists are compelled to pedal outside of their hometowns and into new, exciting locations, many find the perfect ride along the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway. Intermediate and advanced riders love not only this scenic bike trail, but also the intriguing spots along the way. Pedal-happy visitors can spend a full day on the 50-mile bikeway, uncovering it all while also getting a stellar workout.
With easy navigation in place, cyclists can channel their energy toward enjoying the historical and agricultural bounty surrounding them.
The south end of the bike trail begins at Rood Bridge Park and Rhododendron Garden — about a half-hour’s drive from Portland — is worth exploring in its own right. The garden provides a rather Zen atmosphere with the sounds of Tualatin River and the soft coos and caws of local inhabitants.
Cycling Tip #1: Farms and other lands along the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway are private property.
A history lesson on wheels, cyclists will journey past the arrestingly beautiful sight of the Old Farmington Schoolhouse at the intersection of SW Rood Bridge Road and SW Burkhalter Road. This rustic structure was a 1800s one-room schoolhouse for local farm children. Nearby, the resting place of influential Oregon pioneers from the 1700s can be seen at the Lewis Pioneer Cemetery.
The bikeway also is aligned with some fantastic northern Willamette Valley vineyards and wineries. Oak Knoll Winery (about four miles from Rood Bridge Park) and Blizzard Wines have tasting rooms–right along the Bikeway!–that welcome cyclists for a responsible sip of wine and picnic lunch.
Cycling Tip #2: While riding along the route, please dispose of trash and other items in designated trash receptacles.
Beyond wine and historical sites, cycling in the northern direction of the route will unveil the natural beauty of Fernhill Wetlands. The wetlands include bike and pedestrian trails for exploring, making for easy bird watching adjacent to the Tualatin River.
The northernmost portion of the bikeway is the 21-mile Banks-Vernonia State Trail. With 12 bridges and two railroad trestles, this pastoral path takes cyclists through a stretch of forested wonder.
In addition to a cyclist’s GPS, the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway also includes wayfinding signage.
