Rockaway Beach State Park

The Rockaway loop via Oregon Coast Scenic Bikeway offers a delightful touring cycling experience, guiding you through a varied landscape of coastal views, forests, and meadows. You'll pedal past the scenic Rockaway Beach State Park, where ocean vistas abound, and follow the curves of the Nehalem River, a State Scenic Waterway teeming with wildlife like otters and various bird species. This route provides a blend of natural beauty and charming small-town atmosphere, making for a memorable ride.

This moderate 28.6-mile (46.1 km) loop involves a respectable 1313 feet (400 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 2 hours and 47 minutes to complete. The terrain is mostly paved, suitable for cyclists with good fitness looking for a solid day trip. You can easily start from Rockaway Beach or the nearby port town of Garibaldi, both offering amenities and a chance to refuel.

What makes this route stand out is its inclusion in the Oregon Coast Scenic Bikeway, the nation's only state-designated scenic bikeway program. The loop showcases the region's commitment to cycling, highlighting beautiful scenery and local communities. Keep an eye out for deer, elk, and seabirds along the way, especially near the Nehalem River, which is a vital corridor for diverse wildlife.

The Rockaway Beach – Lake Lytle loop cycling route offers a fantastic blend of coastal beauty and inland charm, making it one of the best cycling routes near Rockaway Beach, Oregon. You'll pedal past stunning basalt sea stacks at Rockaway Beach State Park, through the quaint port town of Garibaldi, and alongside the wildlife-rich Nehalem River. The route then winds around Lake Lytle, nestled among forests and dunes, providing a refreshing change of scenery and opportunities to spot deer, elk, and various bird species.

This is a moderate touring bicycle ride, covering 9.0 miles (14.5 km) with 1275 feet (389 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking about 1 hour and 27 minutes. The terrain is varied, featuring both paved and unpaved sections; some parts may have loose gravel or deteriorated asphalt, so robust tires are recommended. It's a great option for cyclists with good fitness looking for a diverse and engaging ride, but perhaps not ideal for beginners due to the elevation changes and mixed surfaces.

As part of the renowned Oregon Coast Scenic Bikeway, this loop is a well-established path for exploring the region's natural beauty. Lake Lytle itself is a 65-acre freshwater lake popular for activities beyond cycling, including fishing and paddleboarding, with ongoing improvements to visitor access. This combination of ocean vistas, riverine landscapes, and a charming lakeside setting makes the Rockaway Beach – Lake Lytle loop a memorable touring cycling destination.