Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway

Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway

Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway Map and Cuesheet

Ride Description: The Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway features a fun cycling experience of bridges, lake views, foliage, flowers and an historic downtown that can be enjoyed year-round.  

The bikeway starts at Trailhead Park located at 10th and Main Street taking the Row River Trail, an off-street, paved 15+ mile path which crosses roads at several points.  The return route is on a low traffic scenic road with one very short, yet very steep hill with grades of more than 8%.  Those wishing to avoid riding with traffic or over such a steep hill can ride the trail as an out and back.  Parking and restrooms are located across Main Street from Trailhead Park in Bohemia Park.  

The name of the Row River Trail has a bit of a story behind it: the correct pronunciation rhymes with “cow”. It was named after a dispute between two men battling over cattle and sheep grazing rights during settlement of the valley in the early 1850's.   The Row River Trail portion of the bikeway has been designated as a National Recreation Trail.  

The Row River Trail runs along the Lake’s north side, passing three of the six covered bridges on the route. All three of these bridges are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Four bathroom stops, seven parking areas, and three picnic areas along this part of the route provide many rest opportunities and a chance to get off the bike and enjoy the scenery. A store in the modest community of Dorena provides snacks. 

The in-town part of the bikeway includes a ride through The Chambers Bridge, the only covered railroad bridge west of the Mississippi that also listed in the National Register, and a ride over a swinging footbridge.   

Cottage Grove is a National Register-listed Downtown Historic District. There are number of coffee shops, restaurants, pubs, and a bike shop on Main Street. 

Distance: 35.8 Miles (loop)  Level: Mild

For More Information on the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway, other rides in the area or the Oregon Scenic Bikeway program visit the following links:

Oregon Scenic Bikeways Program
         Map and Cue Sheet for Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway

Ride Oregon Ride - Travel Oregon
         Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway Information at Travel Oregon

Ride with GPS - Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway 

Ride with GPS - Other rides around Cottage Grove

Row River Trail - BLM website
          BLM Video of the Row River Trail

Row River Trail Brochure (pdf)

Cottage Grove Bicycle Riders (information about area rides and events)

Family Cycling on the Row River Trail (Travel Blog from Eugene, Cascades and Coast website)