This Unique Rail Biking Experience In Oregon Belongs On Your Bucket List
By Sarah McCosham|Published July 18, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Oregon is full of surprises. For instance, you might know Cottage Grove, Oregon as the Covered Bridge Capital of the West, but did you know this charming little locale was also home to a unique rail trail, too? Running for 17 miles along the route of the former Oregon Pacific & Eastern Railroad line, the Row River Trail will take you past Dorena Dam and the historic Bohemia Mining District. This Oregon rail trail is well-suited for a relaxing day ride, with the historic rail line, winsome bridges, and beautiful scenery providing the most delightful biking experience!
Cottage Grove, Oregon, is known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of the West,” and features six beautiful and easily accessible covered bridges.
You'll find easy access to the trail at 10th and Main Street in downtown Cottage Grove, as well as a number of trailheads along the loop trail -- there are quite a few! The route ends at Culp Creek, a few miles north of Sharps Creek Recreation Site.
In total, this beautiful and paved rails-to-trails adventure in Oregon makes a 32-mile-long loop that's perfect for cyclists of all ages and abilities.
If taking on a 30+ mile biking adventure sounds like too much, you can turn around wherever you'd like -- feel free to customize the route to your liking.
Covered bridges aside, scenic sights abound along this trail; the Row River and Dorena Lake boast absolutely sublime, shockingly blue waters that dazzle in the sun. There are also several lovely wetlands along the route sure to enchant wildlife enthusiasts, too.
Other notable points of interest include the historic Bohemia Mining Area, which features remnants of late 1800s gold mines, as well as the trestle bridge at Harms Park, one of several Oregon locations immortalized on the silver screen, and is a delight to encounter in person!
But of course, the views along all 30+ miles of this trail are typical Oregon scenery: absolutely, positively jaw-dropping. No matter how much of the Row River Trail you tackle, it's a memorable adventure worthy of your Oregon bucket list.
