Rides

Clatsop County offers road cyclists a great variety of roads to choose from, and is a popular starting point for touring cyclists. Unfortunately, on the mountain biking front, our options are extremely limited at the moment. However, it is our hope to take an active roll in changing that. Our most popular riding spot, the Claremont Trails, fondly known as Norm’s Trails, were destroyed in a bad storm several seasons back. There are miles and miles of logging roads available for mountain bike use, but as we know, this isn’t the experience the majority of mountain bikers seek.

So what options do we have?

There are about 2 miles (at best) of single track trails that start at the Astoria Column. Due to the logging on ODF lands, the rest of the trails we used to ride are unridable due to the clear cut. We hope to work with the city and ODF to redevelop non-motorized single track trails, as a trail system starting at the heart of the town would be a boon to recreation as well as Oregon’s emerging single track trails economy.

Gnat Creek. The Gnat Creek Trail is a short intermediate level out and back near Brownsmead that has the potential to be a truly epic trail. A short 4 miles long, ridden as an out and back you’ll cover just under 8 miles. If the length of this trail was to double while retaining the remarkable flow, it would be the kind of trail that magazine journalists praise.

Northrup Creek Trail. A recently constructed trail, the Northrup Creek Trail is another potential trail system for Clatsop County. It was developed as an equestrian trail, but is considered multi-use, and is very bike friendly. We also consider it an intermediate level trail. (more info to come)

The Knappa Trails. The Knappa Trails are primarily Black and Double Black Diamond level trails, built by members of LCBP. As they are located on private land, access to the trails remain dubious, and we refrain from publicizing them. Due to their highly technical nature, we recommend a black diamond capable downhill and freeride bikes be used to ride these trails. LCBP members are also working to create a beginner friendly intermediate level cross country and all mountain trail in the vicinity as well. If you are interested in riding the trails, please use the forum to get in contact with us.

The Taylorville Trails. Located on the other side of highway 30 from the Wauna Mill, the Taylorville Trails used to be a trails system. When the MTB riding scene went through a lull, they became over grown. We hope to be active in helping restore these trails, and work towards making them an official trail system. The location and terrain are excellent and there is a possibility of a shuttle friendly DH specific trail as well.

Seaside and Cannon Beach area. There are also several excellent coastal trails in this area. Bicycle use is in a distinctive grey area, but we hope to team with Seaside and Cannon Beach area riders in changing this, as well as improving and expanding on these trails in the future.

Fort Stevens. Fort Stevens State Park offers miles of paved roads for cycling. There are also several miles of natural surface trails in the Strawberry Knoll area. According to the park these trails are for hiking use, but during the winter time, the high sand content make the trails drain well, and the root covered trail tread offer a challenging single track experience.  We have reports from riders that have maintained and ridden these trails going back almost 20 years.