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Geographic region: Chehalem Mountains
Municipality/town: Hillsboro, Newberg
Route configuration: loops
Distance: 26.1 miles
Min/max elevation: 178’/1,424’
Total ascent: 3,221’
Max grade: 8.6% up/12.3% down
Surface: ~13 mi gravel road, ~13 mi paved road
Bikes allowed: yes (gravel or mountain bike recommended)
Obstacles: none
Best months: any
Permits: none required
Traffic: light
Feels safe to go alone (my personal comfort level): yes
Driving distance from downtown Portland: 20 miles
[Click on buttons above to get route links on Gaia GPS or Ride with GPS]
To get to the start: 14025 SW Campbell Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97123 (the now-closed Laurel Store). Park in the gravel across the road from the (intersections of SW Laurel Rd and SW Campbell Rd). There is a food cart owner in the old store parking lot who does not like people parking there unless they are customers.
Head south on SW Campbell Rd – go 0.8 mi
@0.8 mi: L on SW McNay Rd – go 1.1 mi
@1.9 mi: R on SW McCormick Hill Rd – go 0.8 mi
@2.7 mi: L on SW Vanderschuere Rd – go 0.4 mi
@3.1 mi: R on SW Neugebauer Rd – go 1.9 mi
@5.0 mi: R on SW Jaquith Rd – go 2.5 mi
@7.5 mi: R on NE Mountain Top Rd – go 2.7 mi
@10.2 mi: R on SW Ornduff Rd – go 0.1 mi
@10.3 mi: R on SW Bachelor Blvd – go 1.4 mi
@11.7: L on SW McCormick Hill Rd – go 2.4 mi
@14.1 mi: L to stay on SW McCormick Hill Rd – go 0.3 mi
@14.4 mi: L on SW Egger Rd – go .8 mi
@15.2 mi: Straight onto SW Laurelview Rd – go 0.1 mi
@15.3 mi: L on SW Finnegan Hill Rd – go 4.3 mi
@19.6 mi: R on SW Bald Peak Rd – go 0.2 mi
@19.8 mi: R on SW Holly Hill Rd – go 6.1 mi
@25.9 mi: L on SW Campbell Rd – go 0.2 mi
End @26.1 mi
With big climbs and big miles, this route is a meaty one. It has a nice balance of farmland and woods, with some stunning panoramic views that include Mt. Hood on a clear day. The first three miles go over rolling farmland, full of golden wheat and barley in late summer. Then starts a steady climb for nearly six miles, through a mixture of residential neighborhoods, fields, and deciduous and coniferous forest.
This first big climb peaks on NE Mountain Top Road, aptly named as it affords stunning views of the valley below. This road can have a few vehicles briskly passing through, and there’s not a lot of shoulder, so just keep your ears and eyes open. But the views are worth it.
After close to nine miles, you will start a long downhill, through forest for a bit and then into farmland again. Around mile-point 16, you will start a relentless three-plus miles up the woodsy SW Finnegan Hill Road. After roughly 19 miles, you can breathe easy since most of the serious climbing is behind you. You will wind down SW Holly Hill Road through some more woods, roll up and down a few smaller hills, then open up into farmland once again for the last three or so miles with lovely open views to ease your way to the finish.
Geographic region: Chehalem Mountains
Municipality/town: Hillsboro
Route configuration: loop with out-and-back
Distance: 16.8 miles
Min/max elevation: 178’/1,424’
Min/max elevation: 192’/1,624’
Total ascent: 2,161’
Max grade: 8.2% up/12.0% down
Surface: ~9 miles gravel road, ~8 miles paved road
Bikes allowed: yes (gravel or mountain bike recommended)
Obstacles: none
Best months: any
Permits: none required
Traffic: light; a little more on Bald Peak Rd
Feels safe to go alone (my personal comfort level): yes
Driving distance from downtown Portland: 20 miles
[Click on buttons above to get route links on Gaia GPS or Ride with GPS]
To get to the start: Locate 14025 SW Campbell Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97123 (the now-closed Laurel Store). Park in the gravel across the road from the (intersections of SW Laurel Rd and SW Campbell Rd). There is a food cart owner in the old store parking lot who does not like people parking there unless they are customers.
Head south on SW Campbell Rd – go 0.8 mi
@.8 mi: L on SW McNay Rd – go 1.1 mi
@1.9 mi: R on SW McCormick Hill Rd – go .6 mi
@2.5 mi: R on SW Egger Rd – go 0.8 mi
@3.3 mi: Straight on SW Laurelwood Rd – go 0.1 mi
@3.4 mi: L on SW Finnegan Hill Rd – go 4.3 mi
@7.7 mi: R on SW Bald Peak Rd – go 1.3 mi
@9.0 mi: L toward Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint – go 0.1 mi
@9.1 mi: Turn around and head back to SW Bald Peak Rd – go 0.1 mi
@9.3 mi: R on SW Bald Peak Rd – go 1.2 mi
@10.5 mi: L on SW Holly Hill Rd – go 6.1 mi
@16.6 mi: L on SW Campbell Rd – go 0.2 mi
End @16.8 m
This area is notable because of its lush farmland, dozens of wineries, and beautiful rural residences. At the high point of the range is Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint, a mountain landmark that may be seen from all directions in the northern valley.
This route begins and ends at the old Laurel store. Heading south, the route rolls along for a couple of miles through farmland, then begins to gain elevation. At mile-point 3.4, you will turn up SW Finnegan Hill Road, which includes a steady three-plus-mile climb as it winds through a temperate rain forest on a gravel road.
Once you’ve reached the top of SW Finnegan Hill Road, you will turn right and head northwest on SW Bald Peak Road. This paved road with narrow shoulders can have some intermittent traffic, but it’s worth the 1.3-mile trek to reach the pinnacle of the Chehalem Mountains at the Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint. Along this road and at the peak, you’ll be able to see a stunning panoramic view of the Willamette Valley to the southeast. You will then head back on SW Bald Peak Road and then detour onto SW Holly Hill Road to begin a rolling, winding descent to the finish.
There is an optional dogleg not included in the route, but it’s very pretty. It’s SW Oak Grove Lane, which is just a bit southwest of SW Holly Hill and Bald Peak Road intersection. It takes you out to an old cemetery about a mile out before you hit a dead-end. It’s all gravel and very peaceful and scenic.
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