Ghosts Of The Railroad Along Oregon's Banks-Veronia State Trail

Banks-Veronia State Trail

Distance: 21 miles

Ride With GPS Map

Oregon’s Banks–Vernonia State Trail stretches 21 miles through the forested foothills of the Coast Range, linking the small towns of Banks and Vernonia along a route that once carried freight trains instead of bicycles. It’s a short trail by cross-state standards, but it feels much larger than its mileage — a slice of classic Oregon riding wrapped in evergreens, bridges, and mountain air.

Sweeping views from railroad past

Starting in Banks, the path climbs gradually through farmland before entering the woods that define most of the route. The surface is smooth asphalt, with a gentle 3% grade. Once in the forest, the canopy closes overhead, muffling sound and filtering light through layers of Douglas fir and alder. Wooden trestles appear periodically on this Oregon bike trail, relics of the trail’s railroad past. The Buxton Trestle, restored and open to cyclists, offers sweeping views across the valley and stands as one of the highlights of the ride.

Past Buxton, the trail becomes quieter, with long, curving sections that pass through meadows and creeks. Wildlife is easy to spot—deer, rabbits, and songbirds often appear. Small trailheads at Manning, Tophill, and Beaver Creek offer rest stops and picnic tables, with clear signage marking distances and access points. Riders moving west gradually lose elevation as the forest gives way to the open countryside surrounding Vernonia.

Once a logging community, Vernonia has reinvented itself as a hub for outdoor recreation. The downtown area has cafés, a bike shop, and the restored Vernonia Lake Park, where riders can rest beside the water or loop around the walking trail before heading back.

Beautiful cycling in Oregon - long route or short

The Banks–Vernonia Trail is ideal for a half-day ride, family outing, or a relaxed weekend loop. Many cyclists ride it out and back for a full 42-mile day, while others combine it with surrounding rural roads for longer explorations.

If there’s a drawback, it’s the popularity; on summer weekends the trail can be busy near Banks, and early morning or weekday rides are best for quiet. Still, the experience is pure Oregon: cool air, clean pavement, and a trail that threads history and nature together as seamlessly as the trestles that carry it across the valleys.

Cool threads for your next adventure!

Head south to California's Oakland & Alameda Shoreline Trail