Find the top rated hike trails in Cloverdale, whether you're looking for an easy short hike trail or a long hike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Overall this is a very nice but in need of better maintenance. I echo those that would love a new surface, but fully understand the challenge of finding funding. I rode the Vernonia to Stubb Steward state park section the other day. While some efforts have been made to improve the bridge approaches several still need additional work. And efforts to demarcate other trail hazards (dips, root bumps etc) should be repainted to highlight them for safety’s sake. Due to the shade/sun nature of the trail for much of its length old eyes don’t adjust as quickly as the once did and the faded paint warning are not as affective as they were when first new installed
Some of the complaints about the trail from earlier in the year seem to have been resolved. There are new approaches to some of the bridges and attempts made to partially fill the worst of the cracking in the pavement. Bumps and dips are well-marked, so often avoidable if you're paying attention. So thanks to whoever is doing this good work! A tree across the path on our way to Vernonia was - surprisingly - completely cleared by the time we biked back, so someone is paying attention! Great ride!
I love that this trail is here and I ride it often, but the section between Manning and Buxton is becoming unpleasant to ride because of neglected upkeep. As has been noted in other reviews, the bridge transitions are dangerous if you are unaware and hit them at speed (which is likely on the steep downhill run below Buxton). Also in that area, tree roots have pushed the asphalt into ridges big enough to unseat you or to bounce your chain off. Many of these are hard to see in shady areas. There’s a section just above the Manning trailhead where the asphalt has been torn up and heavily grooved for years. I recently met a rider in that area pushing his bike back to the Manning car park with a shredded road tire. I am sure money is tight. Although I want to see new trails built, I would not want it to result in neglecting to maintain this regional gem of a trail, particularly the heavily used lower half of it.
We moved from Bellevue (Omaha) Nebraska 3 years ago and we loved riding our bikes on the Papio Creek 20+ mile trail. However this ride is one for the “record books”. It’s got to be one of the most scenic rides in America and worth the one-hour drive from our home north of Vancouver Washington. This is a “must be there” ride!
This really could be a spectacular trail.... :-(
Unfortunately, there is a section of trail between Banks and Buxton that goes through some hay fields that has been desperately overdue for repairs for years now. We ride the entirety of this trail every summer, so we are very familiar with the state of the trail from one year to the next. The transitions from trail to bridges are horribly jarring, and that one section I mentioned above has large sections of crumbling asphalt that can be downright dangerous for those of us riding road bikes with narrower tires. You simply cannot enjoy the ride through this section, as you're constantly trying to stay upright as you navigate the vast sections of potholes.
I have tried complaining to the staff at Stub Stewart, but no one seems to have answers when pressed for repair timelines. Worse, I've experienced them "passing the buck" by bemoaning the multi-jurisdictional nature of trail ownership and maintenance. At this point, they need to stop pointing fingers and just figure out how to make these desperately needed repairs to the trail!
It has been 6 years since I last ride the Banks to Stub Stewart State Park section. As before the transitions on and off bridges are abysmal. The bridges are 4 to 6 inches higher than the trail surface. Strongly advise riders slow way down when approaching bridges. Riding surface continues to deteriorate with longitudinal cracks wide enough to catch a 19 mm tire if not paying attention. Pavement is breaking up in places. That’s the bad. Maintenance appears to be painting white paint to highlight the more dangerous roots The good is the scenery once into the frosted parts is truly beautiful. And the sour face
Stayed at cabins at mid trail…cabins are small and clean…showers/bathrooms close… though went at mid-day, the trees make the trail eerily dark, headed to Veronia first (~12 miles). Short distance to hilltop (switchbacks and short), then pretty flat. In Veronia, loop around lake. After back to mid-point from Veronia, all downhill, then flat. Huge open field is highlight here. Tressle was goal and cool, but overrated. From Banks (the return way) chunk is all uphill. At trailhead (downhill and fast from cabins), you then must make it back up to cabins which is ~half mile and pretty steep.. drained my battery…battery drained just short of coasting down into cabins. downhill into cabins.
I read a lot of the reviews and some said the road was not paved well, pot holes etc…overall I felt the road was fine. All issues are clearly marked so you are aware of them. People are all respectful of others on the trail. We liked it so much we are doing it again tomorrow. It is fun, beautiful and we appreciated all the spots to stop along the way.
I rode the trail from Banks to Vernonia (21 miles one way) and back with some extra explorations for a total of 49 miles on a Trek Dual Sport. The trail is a beautiful trail migrating through the woods. It does have a long 7-mile uphill that starts about 5 miles into the ride, but it is not a serious grade. That said, my lady will tell you that it is uphill for a long time. There is one very serious switchback trek that is about a 10 percent grade. It can be done, and it is fairly short. Overall, getting to Vernonia was a good ride, but anticlimactic once I arrived. The best part of this ride is going through the woods. However, where I would probably give the ride a 4/5 rating, the condition of the path destroys much of the beauty. If you are not paying attention, you just might go down. The condition is dangerous especially on the 7-mile downhill. Why? Because a large portion of the path was done with chip seal. If you do not know what it is, see: https://www.bicycling.com/rides/a21074245/why-chip-seal-is-absolute-worst-surface-for-road-riding/
Beyond the horrible chip seal surface is the degradation of sections that have morphed into craters and potholes. If that is not bad enough, every bridge is between 2" and 6" higher that the path surface. If you do not brace yourself, good luck.
Bottom line, I am sad that the trail is listed as a must and one of the best in Oregon, but it does not warrant that billing in the present day condition.
One of our favorite trails! Some challenges (hairpin curves, occasional tree root cracks), mostly shady, wide cement path & goes into a park/lake/campground @ Vernonia, close to a grocery store for ice cream & rest before heading back!
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