About Falls City to Valsetz
Valsetz was a timber company town that was established in 1919 and had a population of over 1000 in the mid-20th century. It was decommissioned by the company and destroyed in 1984. Today, you can still see some of the towns streets, the foundations of buildings and houses, and the remains of a large reservoir known as Lake Valsetz.
This out-and-back route travels from Falls City to Valsetz on Valsetz Road. The route is 32 miles, with 3400' of climbing, and is 95% unpaved.
Essential information
Starting location: Falls City (see location). Public parking is available at Harding Park near Falls City Falls.
Distance & drive time (from downtown Corvallis) (see route): 29 miles; 39 minutes
RWGPS route map: 32 miles; +3450' of climbing; 95% unpaved
Limitations on public access: This route uses private timber company roads that are subject to limits on public access and fire season restrictions and closures. This area is most likely to be open between Mid-September and early July. Non-motorized travel and passenger vehicles are allowed 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunrise. The following activities or vehicles are prohibited: Camping; fires; electric bikes; motorcycles; ATVs; target shooting; trapping. Weyerhaeuser controls the gate on Valsetz Road (which they refer to as the Valsetz Mainline) just west of Falls City and gates to the north of the Valley of the Giants. Their recreational hotline is 888-741-5403. Press 2 to hear a recorded message for the the Willamette Valley Region.
This road is within the Stott Mountain - North Alsea Travel Management Area (TMA) and is owned by Weyerhaeuser. The road is subject to limits on public access and fire season restrictions and closures. Please review the information at the link above. Additional information may be obtained by calling the Weyerhaeuser Northwest Recreation Hotline at 1-888-741-5403.
Places on the route
Valsetz was a timber company town that was established in 1919 and had a population of over 1000 in the mid-20th century. It was decommissioned by the company and destroyed in 1984. Today, you can still see some of the towns streets, the foundations of buildings and houses, and the remains of a large reservoir known as Lake Valsetz.
Ride with GPS route map
Related or similar routes
Other considerations
Active logging operations: These areas are subject to active logging operations, which means you could encounter log trucks. Such activity typically occurs during the work week, and less so on weekends, particularly on Sundays. If you hear a log truck approaching, get off the road and wait for it to pass. This is for your own safety and in recognition that you are a guest on private property.
Log truck gravel: Most of these roads have reasonable sized gravel much of the time. For that, I recommend a minimum recommended tire width of 40mm. However, these roads are subject to being freshly graveled with big and loose gravel from time to time. For this kind of gravel, you likely will be happier on tires that are at least 2" (~50mm) wide.