Corvallis-to-the-Sea Trail, July 21

Highway 101 is the north-south coastal route that best captures the beauty of the Oregon Coast for travelers in vehicles. Alongside the mostly two-lane highway you’ll bike lanes for those who like the pedal adventure of Oregon’s beachfront. Most visitors, and for that part, most residents, are not aware; however, of the other opportunities of trails for hikers and those on horseback. There is a Coast Horse Trail north of the Heceta Beach area of Florence. There is also the 382-mile long Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) for hikers wanting to take in the beauty of the state’s beaches on foot. The trail follows the coast from the mouth of the Columbia River to the California border south of Brookings. Created by the Oregon Recreation Trails Advisory Council, the trail is about 39-percent on the beach, 41-percent on paved roads, and 20-percent on trail and dirt roads. Beginning in the Summer of 2016, a new trail will open aimed at connecting the Willamette Valley with the Coast. The first segment of the Corvallis-to-the-Sea Trail (C2C) will be 35-miles long and run from the City of Corvallis to Big Elk Campground near Harlan, south of Eddyville. Planning for the trail began as a vision several decades ago. Through a permit from the Siuslaw National Forest, C2C volunteers will construct, maintain and manage portions of the non-motorized trail. More information about the trail can be learned through the C2C website: www.c2ctrail.org