This adventurous road trip covers three days in the lush Willamette Valley and showcases the best of Oregon–including its world-renowned wine scene, hiking or pedaling through lush forests, and even sleeping in the treetops.
Kick off your trip in Newberg, where a one-hour drive from Portland International Airport drops you right in the heart of Oregon’s world-renowned wine country. The Willamette Valley is a well known American Viticultural Area (including 11 distinct sub-AVAs), earning recognition by Wine Enthusiast as a Wine Region of the Year winner.
With over 800 wineries in the region, you’ll have no problem finding a locally sourced glass of Pinot Noir or other cool weather varietal. Book a tour with a local expert and explore the valley’s wine scene by bicycle, horseback, or even helicopter. For a chance to see winemakers at work and the vineyards buzzing with activity, plan your trip during the fall wine grape harvest, or opt for a slower sipping season, try Cellar Season which takes place from January to April.
No trip in the northern Willamette Valley would be complete without a visit to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, home to the legendary Howard Hughes H-4 Hercules aircraft. Better known as the Spruce Goose, it’s the largest “flying boat” ever built and was the largest aircraft in the world until 2019. Make a splash at the Wings and Waves Water Park next door, and be sure to grab a slice of pie at Blue Raeven before leaving town.
Travel tip: Interstate 5 serves as the primary north-south corridor for travel, but Highway 99 runs parallel and offers a more laid-back (albeit slower) drive.
Start working your way south, but take a detour to Silver Falls State Park. Stretch your legs on the Trail of Ten Falls, a seven-mile loop that packs in (you guessed it) 10 waterfalls, including the 177-foot-tall Silver Falls. If you plan on making more of this beloved state park than a day hike, take in the view from atop an old-growth tree, or even spend the night up there. Tree Climbing at Silver Falls provides the gear and expertise for tree climbing, ensuring a safe and fun outing.
Post-hike, grab a bite at the Little Leaf Cafe or the Noble Fox in the historic town of Silverton. Logging put the town on the map, though now it’s known more for its historic architecture, restaurants, and boutique shops.
Silverton makes for a good stopping point, but if you’d like to put in some more miles, Albany and Corvallis make for good mid-valley stops as well. If you decide to push on, rest up and refuel with the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail as your guide to the best culinary experiences in the area.
Travel tip: If you have time for a stop between Newberg and Silver Falls State Park, make a stop at the Flying Bee Ranch in Salem. Load up on local bee products, or even book an experience to meet the bees themselves.
Continuing south, head towards Eugene and Cottage Grove. For some of the best views in the area, take a hike to the top of Spencer Butte, just outside of Eugene. Short and sweet, this moderate (and occasionally strenuous) 1.7-mile loop leads hikers through lush forests before topping out at the highest point in the surrounding valley.
Try brewery hopping on the Eugene Ale Trail; it's a great way to explore Eugene’s funky neighborhoods and downtown. Or take in art, history and culture try on the Mural Trail or with a visit to the Museum of Natural & Cultural History.
Further south, Cottage Grove offers another excellent opportunity to trade four wheels in for two. One of the more unique features of this region is the abundance of covered bridges. These historic wooden structures were built to withstand the infamously wet winters of the Pacific Northwest, and many still stand today. The 36-mile Covered Bridge Scenic Bikeway begins in historic downtown Cottage Grove and loops around Dorena Lake.
Travel tip: If you’d rather take a scenic drive than go for a bike ride, take a cruise along the McKenzie River Scenic Byway instead.
