The Forest Service has not approved all of the Corvallis to the Sea Trail sections for bicycles. Some of the bicycle sections are on roads.
Check the Current Status and Advisories page for temporary or seasonal closures and trail conditions.
You can download this route description as a PDF here (last updated 6/24/2021)
You can download the bike route as a GPS file (GPX) here.
The ride from Corvallis to Big Elk Campground is about 30 miles and is usually done in one day. From the campground to Ona Beach is about 28 miles.
The upper portion of Old Peak Road is gated and requires a permit to use from Starker Forests. Note that E-bikes are not permitted on Starker lands including those on the gated portion of Old Peak Road and the gated portion of Shot Pouch Road. (See Permits/Rules/Precautions Page)
Dirt trails approved by the Forest Service for bicycles are closed Oct 16-May 15.
Distances by section for the eastern half
The bicycle route and hiking trail are almost identical from Corvallis to Big Elk Campground
- Corvallis to Old Peak Road, 7 or 9 miles
- Old Peak Road to North Ridge Trail, 10 miles
- North Ridge Trail to Shot Pouch Trail Road, 4 miles
- Shot Pouch Trail Road to Harlan-Marys Peak Road, 4 miles
- Harlan-Marys Peak Road to Big Elk Campground, 5 miles
Starting at Shawala Point to Old Peak Road – 9 miles
The trail begins at Shawala Point Park, near the confluence of the Marys and Willamette Rivers. This section is almost all on concrete or asphalt multi-use paths. It is mostly flat with minimal elevation change.
The route follows the Corvallis/Philomath multi-use path and passes Starker Forest Office. Entering Philomath, the route uses the Hunsaker Path to Applegate Street and then goes westbound on Highway 20/34 to the “Y” west of Philomath. At the “Y” turn left onto Highway 34 for almost a mile to Old Peak Road on the right. Turn right onto Old Peak Road.
Benton County Fairgrounds Alternative Routes to Old Peak Road – 7 miles
An alternative starting point midway between Corvallis and Philomath is the Benton County Fairgrounds on 53rd Street and Reservoir Road. From the fairgrounds, follow the trail markers south on 53rd Street to the Corvallis/Philomath multi-use path and then on to Philomath.
Parking overnight at Benton County Fairgrounds is possible in the south gravel parking lot near the corner of 53rd Street and Reservoir Road. To avoid citation by the Sheriff’s Office for an abandoned vehicle, leave a note on your windshield that you are hiking the C2C Trail, and your return date-–or notify the Sheriff’s non-emergency line, 541-766-6858. Tent camping is available at the Fairgrounds from Memorial Day through Labor Day, except mid-July to mid-August due to the Benton County Fair. Tent spaces are $35 per night with a five-night maximum stay.
Bicyclists wanting an alternative ride on pavement from the Fairgrounds could go westbound on Reservoir Road, West Hills Road, and 19th Street into Philomath then either Highway 20/34 or continue south on 19th Street to Chapel, left onto 13th, and right onto Grange Hall Road which ends at Highway 34 directly across from Old Peak Road.
Old Peak Road to Harlan – 13 miles
Hiker and bicyclist use of the gated portion of Old Peak Road requires a permit be obtained from Starker Forests Offices, see details on the permits page. Trail users must stay on the road.
From the upper gate at Woods Creek Road the route follows a Forest Service trail which is closed to bicycles from October 16 through May 15, but staying on Woods Creek Road is a viable option for year-round travel.
From the upper part of Old Peak Road to Harlan, the C2C Trail bike route is on gravel or dirt and follows Woods Creek Road, Shot Pouch Trail Road and Shot Pouch Road. At milepost 4 on Shot Pouch Trail Road the C2C trail turns uphill onto Shot Pouch Road. At the top of Shot Pouch Road there are four roads called “The 4-Way.” C2C is marked, going slightly downhill to the west. Walk around the gate and continue on the road for a little over 1 mile. At that point the 0.25 mi. C2C Sugar Bowl Creek Trail turns down to the left where it joins an old road bed. This short Sugar Bowl Creek Trail is closed to bicycles from October 16 through May 15 and there is no practical detour.
Beyond the Sugar Bowl Creek Trail the route continues on a private gravel road for 1.3 mi. to a gate at the Harlan/Marys Peak Road. Continue west on Harlan/Marys Peak Road for 5 miles to Harlan.
Big Elk Campground
After passing through the junction at Harlan the route continues a mile to Grant Creek Road. At this junction the trail splits, the route to Big Elk Campground goes straight for another 0.5 mi. The route to the coast turns left onto Grant Creek Road.
Big Elk Campground is operated by the Harlan Community under a permit from the Siuslaw National Forest. At Big Elk Campground a campsite with a picnic table, water spigot, and fire pit is available just for hikers and bicyclists. There is a creek for wading, water from a well, pit toilets, and firewood can be purchased. There is a fee of $5 per hiker or biker per night. Motor vehicle campsites are available if they are not in use. If everything is full, try to share the C2C Trail campsite or ask about an overflow area for hikers or bicyclists. There is no trash disposal at the campground: pack it in and pack it out. Water is often turned off during winter to prevent pipes freezing, but the creek is near. Treat all natural waters before consumption. Little water is available at other locations along the entire trail. Fill-up here!
Bicycle Routes after Harlan
There are several routes on existing roads that provide potential rides to the coast. These are all on existing public roads. All descriptions and mileages start from the intersection of Harlan Road and Grant Creek Road near Big Elk Campground. If you try any of these routes, you are on your own, as we make no assurances regarding their safety, difficulty, signage, or possible errors in our route descriptions.
C2C Route – Grant Creek Road to Ona Beach via North Beaver Creek Road, 30 miles
Turn left onto Grant Creek Road. Shortly after the bridge, go right up the hill on Forest Service Road 31, which is also called Hilltop Road. Continue on FS 31 for 9.5 miles. The last three miles are gravel road. At the junction of FS 31 and FS 59. (also called the 1000-Line Road) turn right onto FS 59 for 3.5 miles. Turn left onto FS 5031 (N. Beaver Creek Road).
Stay on Beaver Creek Road for 12.5 miles until it intersects Highway 101 at Ona Beach.
Alternate Bike Routes
Options 1 – Grant Creek Road to Waldport, 32 miles
Follow option 1 directions onto North Beaver Creek Road. After about 14 miles, at the junction of North and South Beaver Creek Roads turn left onto South Beaver Creek Road. At the intersection with North Bayview Road turn right and follow North Bayview Road to Highway 101.
Option 2 – Grant Creek Road to Newport via 1000-Line Road Toledo, 34 miles
Follow option 1 directions to North Beaver Creek Road, but continue straight on FS59 (1000-Line Road) for about 6 miles to South Yaquina Bay Road. Follow this road east to the Elk City Road and turn left to Toledo. In Toledo take Yaquina Bay Road to Newport.
Option 3 – Grant Creek Road to Newport via Harlan Road Elk City and Toledo, 44 miles
Continue on past Big Elk Campground on Harlan/Elk City Road. At Elk City take Elk City Road to the left to Toledo. In Toledo take Yaquina Bay Road to Newport.
We are interested in feedback from the bicycle community about the pros and cons of the various routes, including views, road surfaces, safety, traffic, distances, and difficulty.
Bus transportation serves locations along Highway 101 between Waldport and Newport and the Valley Retriever bus service links Newport with Corvallis. Both systems can carry bicycles on a first-come, first-served basis.
See https://www.nworegontransit.org/
Route Maps
