C2C Alsea Falls Loop

Most of Oregon is on fire right now from freakish lightening storms and a low snowpack. We escaped to the coast for a really amazing 4-day party pace bikepacking trip from Corvallis to the coast and back again. We found a loop created by Strugglers in Spandex that was mostly vetted... the map below has been updated based on some things we did differently, or wished we did differently! Overall, a spectacular route, highly recommend!

Chubbier tires are recommended as this route was a mix of doubletrack, singletrack, and small rock jumbles. We edited out the massive hike-a-bike which is noted on the map. This route starts out peacefully on bike trails from Corvallis and overall avoids overly trafficked roads. E-bikes are NOT allowed on the Starker Forest managed areas, which you have to ride through both there and back. 

Peaceful if not steep doubletrack.

Traffic.

Old logging roads in the Starker Forest managed area. This part is the most remote and carfree.

Sweet sweet singletrack, some of the skinniest singletrack I've every ridden.

Big Elk hiker biker camping area.

On the way into Waldport. Check out the pizza joint The Captains Crust for tasty pizza.

The Oregon Coast!

Beachside State Recreation Area campsite!

Yachats bakery joy... take one or three pastries for your pannier.

OMG, Type 3 bike-a-bike through blackberry brambles all at an 11% elevation grade. We definitely edited this part out of the route and would rather battle a few cars than the brambles.

More joyful carfree Starker Forest area!

Alsea Falls walk in site #5.

The Falls!

A few tips for cycle tourists:

• Note that this route requires a Starker Forest Permit, that is easily obtained in advance: starkerforests.com/land-access/. 
• The last section from Bellfountain to about 10 miles out of Corvallis is not vetted, but was re-routed to avoid the paved road back into town, which had logging trucks and fast moving vehicles.
• The Big Elk Campground has a hiker biker area that is only $5/person and asks that folks share the space, no limit on how many tents, but more than 5 tents would feel squeezed. It also has a decidedly rural party atmosphere, but is the ONLY place to camp for miles. 
• The Beachside State Recreation Area is lovely and has lots of space, there is one more spacious site on the righthand side as you look towards the ocean that has a private access to the beach. State parks are required to accommodate bike tourists, so that is one way to enjoy a fully booked site in the middle of summer. $8/night/per person for Oregon state residents.
• If you are passing through Yachats on a Sunday morning, check out the farmers market and Bread & Roses Bakery for some pocket pastries!
• While there were a few empty walk-in sites at Alsea Falls on a Sunday night, they were definitely booked up for the weekend, so its worth booking in advance. Site 5 can fit 3 tents easily despite what the confirmation says about just 1 tent. Sites 1 - 4, however, are pretty much single tent sites. We appreciated having something pre-booked so we wouldn't have to worry about what time we rolled in. 
• There is a sweet swim spot off the picnic area at Alsea Falls for those hot days when a cold dunk is needed.