Alsea Falls Trail System: Oregon's Hidden Gem of Flow and Adventure

Quick Facts

• Distance: 12 miles
• Level: Intermediate
• Route Type: Point to point
• Location: Corvallis, Oregon
• Best Time to Ride: Year-round, but particularly charming in the late summer

Unearthing Alsea: A Soon-To-Be Hotspot

Emerging as a biking sanctuary, Alsea Falls trails offer a mountain biking experience that has stayed surprisingly off the radar. A part of the landscape meticulously built and managed by Team Dirt, the BLM, and IMBA, the Alsea Falls Trail System holds the promise of becoming a mecca for riders. With expansion plans on the horizon, it's a spot to watch, and most importantly, to ride.

The Trails: Varied and Versatile

The Alsea Falls trails have something for every rider, each trail having its distinct characteristics:

• Highballer: Offers a rooty, hand-built challenge for bikers who love technicality.
• Lower Highballer: Features large, sweeping berms and is machine-built for speed and flow.
• Springboard: Designed as a flowy pump track, perfect for speed junkies.
• Dutchman and Bailout: More traditional single tracks for the purists.

The Experience: Flow, Fitness and Freedom

These trails provide an invigorating ride with perfectly packed clay soil that seems tailor-made for flow and speed. Expect to get a full-body workout, especially targeting the lower back if tackling the trails in one go. The first part of the uppermost trail, Highballer, can be technical but offers a bailout option to switch to a less challenging path. For those who conquer the uphill climb to the trailhead, the fast and flowy descent will feel like a well-earned victory lap.

Accessibility and Amenities

Getting to Alsea Falls is straightforward from Corvallis. Whether you approach from the east or the west, both routes take you through picturesque landscapes before leading you to this hidden gem. For multi-day adventures, a convenient campground is located right across the street.

• East access: Take Hwy 99W south for 15 miles from Corvallis. Turn west onto Alpine Road and follow it for 9 miles to Alsea Falls Campground.
• West access: Take Hwy 34 south from Philomath to the town of Alsea. From there, a short journey on Alsea Deadwood Hwy and South Fork Road leads you to the trail system.

The Verdict: The Future Looks Bright

Although the Alsea Falls trails are relatively short in distance, the planned expansions are exciting. For locals and enthusiasts who don't mind a drive, this trail system is a playground with immediate rewards and long-term promises. Whether you're a novice building up skill or an intermediate rider looking for thrilling descents, Alsea offers a unique blend of flow, technical challenges, and scenic beauty. It's a trail system that begs for multiple visits, each promising to be better than the last.