Oregon: Portland's Roses, Rivers and Rail Trails - Bike Tour

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: We meet at our hotel for the week in Portland’s Northwest/Nob Hill Neighborhood in the afternoon for a bike fitting and orientation and our first dinner together. If you arrive a day or two early, there is plenty to explore.

The Nob Hill neighborhood is full of repurposed Victorian houses, restaurants, and boutiques. You can ride the Portland Streetcar, take a hike in the nearby Forest Park, and visit the world's largest independent bookstore, Powell's City of Books.  0 miles.

DAY 2: After breakfast, we will hop on our bikes and begin our exploration of Portland, incorporating the best cycling thoroughfares of the city. We'll bike along the Terwilliger Boulevard, the scenic parkway named for early Oregon pioneer James Terwilliger. Then, it's on to lovely River View Cemetery, where Terwilliger and many other notable Oregonians have their final resting place. We'll finish the ride along the Willamette River waterfront.

After lunch, we'll provide an optional shuttle up to Pittock Manson, offering some of the best viewpoints of the whole city. Then, we'll end with a short 3-mile hike through Forest Park to cap off the day. 17 miles (±1146').

DAY 3: Today, we explore Portland more in-depth via two of its most popular traffic-free paved bike paths. Marine Drive Trail will bring us up close to the Columbia River, where bird life flourishes, and river breezes will keep us cool. Then, we connect to the Springwater Corridor, where we'll observe the full thrum of the urban outdoors, including hidden forests, wetland refuges, and family-friendly parks. 42 miles (±982')

DAY 4:  A short shuttle in the morning takes us to the start of today's ride on the Banks-Vernonia State Rail Trail. Not only does this 22-mile route showcase farmland, meadows, and hills studded with Douglas fir forests, but it also tells the story of the region's timber and milling industries from a century ago. Catch stunning views of the Coast Mountains as you pass over historic trestle bridges.

Following a picnic, we'll shuttle you back to Portland, where you'll have time to discover the city's hipster charm. 22 miles (+1121'/-709').

DAY 5:  We take to the Columbia River today, shuttling east to Cascade Locks in the morning. Then we'll pedal our way back along the gorgeous river gorge via a supremely scenic patchwork of bike trails, historic highways, and bike lanes. Along the way, you'll encounter waterfalls, state parks, architectural touchstones, and an inactive volcano repurposed as a reservoir. Photo ops are especially abundant, so have your camera ready. 50 miles (+2403'/-2527').

DAY 6:  This final urban jaunt starts at Portland’s highest point, Council Crest Park, where, on a clear day, you’ll be treated to an unforgettable view of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. We throw in a “House Beautiful” fantasy loop around Fairmount Boulevard before riding through the esteemed Washington Park. Take time out to smell the roses at the International Rose Test Garden. We'll share a farewell picnic before shuttling to the airport or train station, arriving by 1:30 pm. It’s been real, friends! 11 miles (+338'/-1323').