Middle Tier Routes
Routes by starting locations
This Siuslaw National Forest campground is located about halfway between Corvallis and the Coast, two miles to the west of the settlement of Harlan, and at Mile Marker 19 on Harlan Road (see location). Unless you are paying for camping for the night, there is no parking within the campground. However, the camp hosts next door have been known to allow people to park for free on their property. There is space for about 3 cars. An alternative parking location that may be able to accommodate 6-8 cars is located about 0.7 miles west on Harlan Road at the base of a rock cut (see location).
<30 miles; < 1400'; 100% unpaved
xBig Elk to Elk City via Harlan Road
RT: 38.4 miles; +787'; 100% unpaved
A collection of routes
Longer and shorter routes
There are three routes from Corvallis: Via Cardwell Hill Wagon Road, Via Old Peak Road, and Via Woods Creek Road. They range from 29 to 35 miles with 2200 to 3000' of climbing.
This route heads west via the Cardwell Hill Wagon Road, climbs the shoulder of Marys Peak, and returns via Old Peak Road. 39 miles; +3400'; 64% unpaved.
This is a rest stop on Highway 20 near Burnt Woods. It has plenty of parking, restrooms, and a picnic area.
These loop routes are few miles to the west of Big Elk Campground on Hilltop Road (NF-31) and feature Gopher Ridge Road and/or Gopher Creek Road.
Gopher Creek
Gopher Ridge
Double Gopher
Yaquina Bay Loop
Philomath is a small town 5 miles west of Corvallis. Public parking is available on city streets, at Marys River Park, and at Philomath City Park.
Marys Peak from Philomath
Marys Go Round: 19.4 miles; +2760'; 99% unpaved
Woods Creek Trailhead to Marys Peak: 16 miles, +2400'; 51% unpaved
(1) One-way and out-and-back routes
Up to 30 miles; up to +1400'; 100% unpaved
Big Elk to Elk City via Harlan Road
out-and-back: 38.4 miles; +787'; 100% unpaved
Big Elk to Newport via Harlan Road
one-way: 43 miles; +1400’; 44% unpaved
out-and-back: 86 miles; +2950'; 44% unpaved
Big Elk to Newport via the Backdoor
one-way: 30 miles; +2900'; 71% unpaved
Big Elk to Newport via 1000 Line Road
one way: 36 miles; +2700’; 33% unpaved
one way: 25 miles; +2275'; 57% unpaved
Big Elk to Toledo via Harlan Road (one-way)
Big Elk to Toledo via 1000 Line Road (one-way)
Big Elk to Toledo Loop (via Harlan & Hilltop)
Big Elk to Waldport (one way): 33 miles; +2700'; 43% unpaved
(2) Loop routes
28 miles; +2200'; 100% unpaved
23 miles; +1900'; 94% unpaved
25 miles; +2850'; 100% unpaved
Big Elk to Newport Loops (via Harlan & Hilltop)
Counterclockwise via Highway 101: 76 miles; +3664'; 41% unpaved
Clockwise via the Backdoor to Newport: 74 miles, +4400'; 55% unpaved