The best cycling routes around Lincoln City

If you're looking for a serene and scenic touring cycling experience, the Devil's Lake loop in Oregon delivers. This route offers continuous picturesque views of Devil's Lake, allowing you to enjoy the water from its shores, and even passes by the famous D River. The mostly well-paved surfaces ensure a smooth ride, making it an excellent choice for a relaxed outing.

This moderate 11.6-mile (18.7 km) loop, with a gentle 774 feet (236 metres) of elevation gain, can typically be completed in about 1 hours and 12 minutes. It's described as an easy road cycling experience, accessible for various fitness levels. The sheltered position of the loop means you can often enjoy a calm ride, even when coastal winds are strong.

What makes this Devil's Lake loop stand out is its unique location, providing a tranquil cycling environment away from the direct coastal winds. This makes it a favored spot for a consistently calm and enjoyable ride, offering a peaceful alternative to more exposed routes in the region. It's a great option for those seeking a quiet escape on two wheels.

If you're looking for a challenging touring cycling experience along the Oregon Coast, the Cascade Head Loop delivers a memorable ride. This difficult 22.2-mile (35.8 km) route takes you through the diverse ecosystems of the Cascade Head area, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. You'll navigate forested back roads that eventually open up to reveal stunning vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the Salmon River estuary, offering a true sense of coastal adventure.

This route is designed for touring cyclists, covering 22.2 miles (35.8 km) with a significant 1885 feet (575 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 2 hours and 25 minutes. It's rated difficult, so come prepared for sustained climbs and descents. Remember that this cycling loop is separate from the Cascade Head hiking trails, where bicycles are strictly prohibited to protect the delicate environment.

The Cascade Head Loop is a designated Lincoln County Scenic Bikeway, highlighting its value as a premier cycling destination. You'll experience the region's unique blend of coastal rainforests and native prairie grasses, all while enjoying the expansive views. This route is an excellent choice if you want to explore the natural features of the Cascade Head area by bike, offering a different perspective than the hiking paths.

This segment of the Oregon Coast Scenic Bikeway offers a captivating touring cycling experience, winding through a mix of rugged coastline and charming viewpoints. You'll pedal past the sandy expanse of Salishan Spit and the picturesque Fogarty Creek, where you can often spot marine wildlife. The route culminates in stunning vistas from Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint, showcasing the dramatic basalt sea stacks and vast ocean. It's a ride that truly captures the essence of the Oregon coast, blending natural beauty with accessible cycling.

Planning your ride on this moderate 16.3-mile (26.2 km) section, which typically takes around 1 hour and 36 minutes with 552 feet (168 metres) of elevation gain, is straightforward. While much of the bikeway utilizes low-traffic roads, be prepared to share lanes with vehicles in certain areas, particularly on older bridges where shoulders might be narrow. The best time to cycle is often during the shoulder seasons of late spring or early fall, when the weather is generally pleasant and the coastal crowds are thinner. Parking is available at various access points along the route.

The Oregon Coast Scenic Bikeway is renowned for its diverse ecosystems and breathtaking scenery, making it one of the best Oregon Coast cycling trails. Beyond the immediate coastal views, the full bikeway also features lush old-growth forests and rivers teeming with salmon and trout, though this particular segment focuses on the immediate shoreline. It's a fantastic way to experience the natural features of the Oregon Coast, offering a blend of challenging terrain on the longer route and accessible beauty on this shorter section.

The Drift Creek Falls Loop touring cycling route offers a unique blend of challenging forest riding and a spectacular natural reward. As you pedal, you'll navigate lush, forested paths with moss-draped trees and winding creeks, eventually reaching the trailhead. From there, a short hike takes you into a serene old-growth forest, culminating at the impressive 75-foot Drift Creek Falls and its iconic 240-foot suspension bridge, offering breathtaking views of the canyon.

This difficult 37.8-mile (60.9 km) touring cycling route involves a significant 3758 feet (1145 metres) of elevation gain, taking approximately 4 hours and 19 minutes. Remember, the cycling portion leads to the trailhead; the falls and suspension bridge are accessed via a hike, as bikes are not permitted on that trail. Be prepared for varied terrain on the cycling route, including potentially unpaved sections and challenging inclines.

Beyond the stunning waterfall, the area boasts unique geological features like columnar basalt formations, hinting at a volcanic past. The 240-foot suspension bridge itself is one of Oregon's longest, providing a memorable experience. For those wanting more, an optional 1-mile North Loop Trail offers access to ancient old-growth trees and diverse understory vegetation, making the Drift Creek Falls area cycling routes a truly rewarding adventure.