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November 2023 by Erin V.
Great trail but side note about the bathrooms at the Anderson trailhead aren't available for use, they're part of an RV park and locked with a keypad.
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March 2023 by Maggie S.
Basil well maintained paced and smooth trail. Great for family bicycle ride in nature
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February 2023 by Seattle Bones
I didnt use a bike but walked, and it was great! The passing cyclists and hikers were very nice, the the hike itself wasn’t hard at all. Very quiet and peaceful, definitely recommend.
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July 2022 by Jason Brewer
I’m no “cyclist” — just a person on a bike. I’ve always wanted to do this trail, so I went with a friend from Banks to Vernonia and back. Decided to go on a Friday to avoid possible mobs of people. That was mainly successful — there were a handful of people and a lot of mile stretches where nobody else was encountered. The gradual uphill climbs aren’t difficult, but they aren’t a joke for the casual bike rider either. Carry plenty of water and recharge food. Oh, and bug spray! You will also need to watch out for the bumps from roots, etc, which are generally marked, but sometimes not very visible due to sun blindness. The trail is 99% paved — you will want to watch out for the areas where there is a 2-3” shoulder so that you will not eat it like I, and another person we encountered, did. Overall, it’s a great ride through some beautiful Oregon forest.
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November 2021 by Frank J.
I've hiked this trail many times including when a good chunk of it was a bushwhack. Over the years a lot of $$$ has been invested in making this trail ADA accessible and it was recently connected to the CZ trail that runs from Vernonia to Scappoose. The trail is too long to hike the entire distance even if you have a car at the other end. But you can easily do the Banks to Vernonia section (although round trip might be a bit much). Most of the people you see on this trail are on bicycles. You used to be able to also hike the Salmonberry trail which started in Banks but large sections of that trail are a bushwhack or just impossible to traverse after one too many floods. The trestles are too treacherous to attempt a crossing these days. The BV and CZ trails used to be a lot more pleasant before they got so popular but it is what it is I guess. I documented this hike on my hiking web site and have updated it a few times over the years. The best part of this trail is on the CZ leg. See if you can find the Shay railroad tunnel at the summit. I did slosh my way though the length of it but I wouldn't advise it. The water can get pretty deep and there's all sorts or RR ties and other debris at the bottom to stumble on.
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August 2021 by George Scott
The easiest bike ride is a one-way from Vernonia to Banks as you skip about a 400ft elevation gain. We left a car in Banks and drove to Vernonia and rode back to Banks. We did not have touring bikes and it took about 2.5hrs. The return trip to Vernonia for the car we dropped allowed us to get lunch in Vernonia. The hazards are well marked and trail is pretty clean. You do cross some roads, but nothing busy. Watch for horse and pedestrian traffic.
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April 2021 by Ashley K.
Great little bento place! Everything tastes great, super consistent, quick, and the staff are friendly. I am so glad they are in Banks! Bu far the best food in town!!
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March 2021 by Google user
Beautiful trails little areas throughout to have lunch relax an enjoy
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September 2020 by Quinn A.
I've got some good tips for this ride, things I would have liked to know. 1. Go early. I got on the trail at Vernonia Lake around 9:30am and had it more or less to myself most of the way to Banks. By the time I got there 2 hours later, madness! Families, kids wobbling all over the trail, horses, walkers .... it's a shared trail so not saying anyone was in the wrong, but it was nicer when it was quiet and not so crowded. 2. Want to work out? Start in Banks. Want to coast? Start in Vernonia. Planning an out and back 44 mile? Start in Banks. Between Vernonia and the halfway point it was a steady ride, pretty flat. The halfway point is in a low point in the road, so no matter what you're gonna climb out, and I mean climb. Butt out of the seat, standing on the pedals. Its short but very steep. And I've got only 9 gears. I was in first, heaving my way up. It doesn't matter how slow you go, however, as long as you don't walk. I didn't walk. Would've been faster if I had,but I emphatically did not put my feet down. Yay me! 3. Riding to Banks from the halfway, I must have coasted for at least 5 miles. That's why I say if you want a workout start in Banks. It'll be a steady uphill for at least 10 miles. Other notes: GORGEOUS! 22 miles of unrelenting beauty. The photos don't lie. They aren't taken from a good angle, there is no bad angle. I was lucky enough to have someone willing to drop me off at one end and pick me up at the other. I can see doing it myself, though, starting in Banks, working super hard to the halfway then moderately to Vernonia. Power bar, water, pee, then head back, enjoying that 5 miles of rest on the final quarter. Yep, that's exactly what I'll do.
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June 2020 by Sean T.
It's a terrible walking and biking trail full of bears that maul people and hobos that pop out of the brush to attack you. There's both dog and human p*** all over the trail, which is poorly maintained by the way. This seems to be the place to go if you're looking to do meth. If you're looking for a good trail check out Hillsboro or forest park in Portland.
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April 2020 by K A.
Love this trail. Clean. Safe. Family friendly. I love that it's paved and marked with mileage. I run, bike, and take my kids on this trail a few times a month. Highly recommend.
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March 2020 by DeMarco Johnson
My first time on the trail was today and it was very relaxing. We only walked about 2 miles of it, but that was nice and peaceful. Everyone was nice and courteous. We're going to bike the trail next time. Highly recommend if you're just looking to take a stroll or be out in nature for a day
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November 2019 by Kaila Cummings
Such a clean, flat and beautiful place. Great place for a run or a bike ride.
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November 2019 by frank klatil
Nice trail which could use some improved pavement and facilities*. Unfortunately no views along the trail. * There's now a nice place nearby to take a break after a workout. It's called Hop and Cycle brewery (JVCP+F4 Banks, Oregon).
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October 2019 by Katie Bassett
Loved this trial, definitely not enough parking at the trail head but there is running water and toilets! So that's nice. The trail runs through some beautiful country.
