Written directions and maps regarding multiple points of trailhead access from public roads are presented in sections for the eastern half and western half of the trail. This information is available below for each half in downloadable and printable files.
Parking near trailheads must be done carefully to avoid obstructing other uses. Do not block gates or roads, or use turnouts meant for oncoming traffic or on curves. Remember, log trucks use these roads!
Trailhead access on the C2C Trail — Eastern Half (Philomath to Harlan)
Click HERE to download a printable description of directions to trailhead access points via public roads for the east half of the trail from Corvallis west to Harlan and the USFS Big Elk Campground.
Click HERE to download a printable map that shows motor-vehicle trailhead access routes for this east half of the trail.
A permit is required to hike on the Old Peak Road section of the trail. The permit may be obtained from Starker Forests, see details on our permits page.
Corvallis Starting Point – Shawala Point Park, confluence of the Mary’s and Willamette Rivers
Parking is available next to the park and in the SW 5th Street and “B” Street neighborhood, a few blocks from Shawala Point Park and the trailhead access. However, City of Corvallis parking ordinance (6.10.040.040 (4)) prohibits parking for more than 48 hours.
For hikers starting at Shawala Point Park, camping is possible at Mary’s River Grange on Grange Hall Road. Contact MRG at 541-829-2907 or marysrivergrange@gmail.com to make arrangements. We suggest a $5 donation for this service.
Benton County Fairgrounds Trailhead Parking
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 ticketing by the Sheriff’s Office for an abandoned car, leave a note on the dash board 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 in the Fairgrounds’ Oak Grove from Memorial Day through Labor Day, except during county fair. Tent spaces are $25 per night with a 5-night maximum stay.
City of Philomath Parking
Long-term parking (not longer than 120 hours (5-days)) is allowed on public streets in Philomath (Ordinance 10.10.050.G.2) at several places proximate to the trail route.
Old Peak Road
At the west end of Philomath at “Y” junction of Highways 20 and 34, go left onto Highway 34 for 1 mile. Turn right onto Old Peak Road. There is no parking access on Old Peak Road. Hikers can start there, or be driven about 4 miles where they can be dropped off at a gate. There is no vehicle access beyond the gate. This is a good place to begin a through hike from the east side if the hiker wishes to avoid urban traffic areas.
Hiker and bicyclist use of the gated portion of Old Peak Road requires a permit be obtained from Starker Forests. See details on our permits page.
Lower North Ridge Trailhead
At the west end of Philomath at the “Y” junction of Highways 20 and 34, go right onto Highway 20 for 2 miles. At Milepost 48 turn left onto Woods Creek Road. Drive 6 miles on Woods Creek Road. At Milepost 6 there is parking on the left.
Option 1: Old Peak Road
Old Peak Road is beyond the gate to the left. It is a four-mile hike to the “lower gate.”
Option 2: Lower North Ridge Trail (2.2 miles) starts at the kiosk 100-feet to the right of the gate.
The trail parallels Woods Creek Road to the North Ridge Trailhead.
Option 3: Lower North Ridge Trail from North Ridge Trailhead
Continue driving 2 more miles west up Woods Creek Road. Park and walk around the gate. North Ridge Trail up Marys Peak starts about 100 yards beyond the gate up to the right. Lower North Ridge Trail starts beyond that to the left.
Sugar Bowl Creek Trail from North Ridge Trail parking area
From North Ridge Trail hike or drive 4 miles west on gravel roads, continuing west on Woods Creek Road. In about 4 miles you’ll be in Lincoln County where the road is called Shot Pouch Trail Road. Shot Pouch Trail Road ends at the junction with Shot Pouch Road. Go left uphill onto Shot Pouch Road for ½ mile. *
Sugar Bowl Creek Trail from Burnt Woods
Drive west on Highway 20 from the “Y” to Burnt Woods for 17 miles. At Burnt Woods, Milepost 33, turn left onto Harlan Road. About a mile south from Burnt Woods Store turn left onto Shot Pouch Road. At the junction with Shot Pouch Trail Road at Milepost 4 go right uphill on Shot Pouch Road for 0.5 mile. *
*At the top of Shot Pouch Road there are four roads we call “The 4-Way.” There are pullouts that can be used for parking. Do not block the gate. C2C is marked and straight ahead, 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 C2C Sugarbowl Creek Trail turns down to the left. At the bottom the trail is on road, continuing west for 1¼ mile to Harlan Road. Continue west on Harlan Road for 5 miles to Big Elk Campground.
Sugar Bowl Creek Trail from Harlan
Drive west on Highway 20 from the “Y” to Burnt Woods for 17 miles. At Burnt Woods, Milepost 33, turn left onto Harlan Road. Drive 8 miles to Harlan. At Harlan turn left onto the Harlan/Marys Peak Road for 3.5 miles. There is a gate on the left. Park near the gate, but do not block it, and walk east to the Sugar Bowl Creek Trail.
Big Elk Campground
Drive west on Highway 20 from the “Y” to Burnt Woods for 17 miles. At Burnt Woods, Milepost 33, turn left onto Harlan Road. Drive 8 miles to Harlan. At Harlan turn right onto Elk City Road. Drive 1½ miles to Big Elk Campground, which is on the left.
About Big Elk Campground
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: pack it in, pack it out. Little water is available at other locations along the entire trail. Fill-up here! Water is often turned off during winter to prevent pipes freezing, but the creek is near.
Trailhead Access on the C2C Trail — Western Half (Harlan to Ona Beach)
Click HERE to download a printable description of directions to trailhead access points via public roads for the west half of the trail from Harlan west to Ona Beach.
Click HERE to download a printable map that shows motor-vehicle trailhead access routes for this west half of the trail.
Written directions regarding multiple points of trailhead access from public roads are presented here for the western half of the C2C Trail from Harlan to Ona Beach State Park. The C2C Trail has several segments and trailheads that are referenced below and often named for convenience according to proximity to geographical features; for example, “Grant Creek Trail.”
Parking near trailheads must be done carefully to avoid obstructing other uses. Do not block gates or roads, or use turnouts meant for oncoming traffic or on curves. Log trucks use these roads!
West of Philomath at the “Y” junction of Highways 20 and 34, go right onto Highway 20 to Burnt Woods at Milepost 33. At Burnt Woods turn left onto Harlan Road. Drive 8 miles to Harlan. At Harlan turn right onto Elk City Road.
Big Elk Campground
After passing through the junction at Harlan the route continues 1 mile to Grant Creek Road. At this junction the trail, which follows the roads at this point, splits. The route to Big Elk Campground goes straight for 0.6 mile. 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 the 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, which 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!
Access from Grant Creek Road Near Harlan
Grant Creek Trailhead
One mile west of Harlan, turn left onto Grant Creek Road for a short distance. Just after the bridge the road splits. The C2C Trail follows the lower road to the left for 1.25 miles. There is a small pullout on the right where the Grant Creek Trail begins. Grant Creek Trail goes up to the right along a small creek. A cattle guard and gate on the road are just beyond the trailhead.
Top of Grant Creek, Hogback and Lower Branch Creek Trailheads
One mile west of Harlan, turn left onto Grant Creek Road for a short distance. Just after the bridge, the road splits. Take Forest Service Road 31 (FS 31, also called Hilltop Road) up the hill to the right. At 1.7 miles the C2C Trail crosses the road between Grant Creek Trail and Hogback Trail sections. Continue for another 0.5 mile to the FS 31-124 road sign and a pullout on the left. Park and hike from the FS 31-124 pullout.
Branch Creek Trail, uphill to the right, is 1.5 miles to “The Toilet Bowl Landing.” It continues up to FS 3119.
OR
Cross the FS 31 road and walk east on the Hogback Trail to Grant Creek Trail.
Upper Branch Creek
Continue on FS 31 to Milepost 4 where there is a hairpin turn to the left onto FS 3119 (also called Bull Run Road). Drive up FS 3119 for 1 mile. FS 3119-127 is on the left at the top of the Branch Creek/Toilet Bowl Landing Trail. Park at the FS 3119-127 sign and hike down Branch Creek Trail. If the area is really muddy drive on up about 150 yards to Lower Bull Run to park.
Bull Run Trailheads To hike the Bull Run Trail, hike up FS 3119 for about 150 yards to Lower Bull Run Trailhead. The Bull Run Trail sections cross Bull Run Road twice and parallel the road. OR drive on up to the junction with Gopher Ridge Road and hike east on the Bull Run Trails.
Gopher Ridge Road Trailhead
Continue driving up another 1.5 miles to FS 3120 (Gopher Ridge Road) on the right. There is parking near the junction where the Bull Run Trail meets the Gopher Ridge Road. The C2C Trail follows the decommissioned Gopher Ridge Road for about 3 miles down to Gopher Creek Road.
FS 31 to Gopher Creek Road and Gopher Creek Trailheads
At Milepost 4 (MP 4), continue straight on FS 31 for about 1.5 miles to meet FS 3125 (also known as Gopher Creek Road), which is a hairpin turn down to the left. Gopher Ridge Road (FS 3120) is 1.2 miles on the left. There is space available for cars. Hike up 3 miles east on Gopher Ridge Road to FS 3119 (Bull Run Road).
Gopher Creek Trail is 1 mile in on FS 3120, 0.2 miles east of Gopher Ridge Road (FS 3120) on the right. Hike up Gopher Creek Trail to continue west on the C2C Trail. Gopher Creek Trail crosses the creek and goes up 0.75 mile to FS 31.
Top of Gopher Creek Trail Trailhead (Louise’s Landing)
Drive on FS 31 for 6 miles (2 miles beyond MP 4) to a pullout on the left, marked by the FS 31-123 road sign. That is the top of Gopher Creek Trail (Louise’s Landing). It is possible to park here and hike down to Gopher Creek and then up Gopher Ridge Road to FS 3119 (Bull Run Road) for a round trip hike of 8 miles.
FS 31 to FS 3127 and the Palmer Mountain Trailhead
Drive about 7 miles west on FS 31. FS 3127 is on the right, 0.9 of a mile beyond FS 31-123. There is space to park at the road. FS 3127 climbs for about 4.5 miles, becoming Palmer Mountain Trail and continuing west on a decommissioned Forest Service road to a berm. The berm is at the east end of FS 5083. The round trip hike between FS 31 and the berm on FS 5083 is about 9 miles. Hiking another 3.6 miles on FS 5083 from the berm down to FS 59 (1000-Line Road) is an option.
Access through Toledo and up the 1000-Line Road (FS 59) to FS 5083 and FS 5081
Drive on Highway 20 to Toledo Dairy Queen. Turn south onto Business Highway 20 all the way to the first traffic light. At the light turn right onto A Street, then left onto First Street. Cross the railroad tracks, and bear right onto Butler Bridge Road. Follow this road around the mill, bearing right again and proceed over the Butler Bridge. Stay on the paved road and take the fork to the right onto South Bay Road towards the airport. Travel for 1.2 miles. Turn left onto 1000-Line Road (FS 59) and drive about 4.3 miles.
FS 5083 to Palmer Mountain
At 4.3 miles turn left at the junction of 1000-Line Road and FS 5083. At this time it is possible to hike or drive up FS 5083 to the berm at the end of the road, then hike the Palmer Mountain Trail and FS 3127 to FS 31.
FS 5081 to Hitselberger Ranch and North Beaver Creek Road Trailhead
The junction with FS 5081 is on the right, 0.2 mile beyond FS 5083. There is a small shoulder area to park. FS 5081 is gated about 100 yards in. If the gate is open, keep an eye out for vehicles while hiking on the road. Follow the road and trail signs for 6.3 miles through Forest Service land and private Hitselberger Ranch property to Wolkau Road.
Hancock/Weyerhaeuser Trail to the west
Walk another 100 yards down Wolkau Road. The C2C Trail to the west is on the right going through Hitselberger Ranch and Hancock/Weyerhaeuser Forest Management lands for 3 miles. The C2C Trail continues west on Beaver Creek Road for 1.9 miles to Ona Beach.
Access from Highway 101 and North Beaver Creek Rd
The C2C Trail starts at Ona Beach State Park on Highway 101. Walk east on Beaver Creek Road. The Hancock/Weyerhaeuser Trail section begins 1.9 miles from Ona Beach.
Hancock/Weyerhaeuser Trail from the west
Starting at Ona Beach State Park on Highway 101, turn onto Beaver Creek Road. The Hancock Trail section begins 1.9 miles from Ona Beach. There is limited parking at the trailhead. This section continues for 3 miles through Hitselberger Ranch and ends on Wolkau Road.
Wolkau Road Trailhead
Starting at Ona Beach State Park on Highway 101, turn onto Beaver Creek Road, stay left on North Beaver Creek Road where the road divides. At MP 4 on North Beaver Creek Road is a junction with Elkhorn Road. Stay left on North Beaver Creek Road past MP 5. At about 5.5 miles turn left (at mailbox corner) onto Wolkau Road for about 1.75 miles to a parking area on the left. Walk back down the road for 0.3 mile where the trail to the east is on a road to the left and goes through Hitselberger Ranch, Peterson Creek Trail and FS 5081.
Hancock/Weyerhaeuser Trail to the west
Walk another 100 yards down Wolkau Road. The C2C Trail to the west is on the right going through Hitselberger Ranch and Hancock/Weyerhaeuser Forest Management lands for 3 miles. The C2C Trail continues west on Beaver Creek Road for 1.9 miles to Ona Beach.
Accessing FS 5081 and FS 5083 (Palmer Mountain) Trailheads from North Beaver Creek Road
Drive 12.5 miles east on North Beaver Creek Road to the junction with FS 59 (1000-Line Road). Turn left onto FS 59 for about 1 mile. Just beyond MP 4.5 is FS 5081, a sharp turn on the left. There is a small shoulder area to park. FS 5081 is gated about 100 yards in. If the gate is open, keep an eye out for vehicles while hiking on the road. FS 5081 goes west for 6.3 miles, through Peterson Creek Trail and Hitselberger Ranch to Wolkau Road.
Accessing FS 5083 (Palmer Mountain)
A few hundred feet beyond FS 5081 is FS 5083 on the right. It is possible to hike or drive up FS 5083 to the berm at the end of the road. Beyond the berm, hike the Palmer Mountain Trail and FS 3127 east 4.5 miles to FS 31.