Projects
Newport Area Trail Systems
Big Creek
The City of Newport has generously partnered with the NEWTS to construct a new trail system in the watershed of Big Creek Reservoir, the city’s drinking water supply. Phase I of this initiative began in spring 2021 and opened to the public early in 2022.
“Level Up” is our easy 1.5-mile, green-rated, multiuse climbing trail to the summit, providing access to all of our current and future descent trails.
“Dude Sweet” is our downhill centerpiece, a blue-rated flow trail with big, fast berms and super fun features. Suitable for both intermediate and expert riders.
“Learning Curves” is a short, green-rated trail that’s a great place for less experienced riders to gain confidence riding flow trail features.
Future phases will expand the trail system to include riding opportunities for a range of abilities. Most of the trails in the early phases have been purpose-built for mountain biking, but we plan to build additional multiuse trails, amenable to hikers soon.
The trails crisscross coastal forest habitat, climbing and descending through dense Sitka spruce and Douglas fir. Elk, cougar, bear, and other wildlife make this forest their home, so keep your eyes peeled as you ride.
If you happen to be in Newport, contact the folks at Bike Newport to get info about the weekly shop ride, which follows some of the prototype trails at Big Creek.
Wilder
Wilder is a private housing development about two miles south of the Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport on the central Oregon coast. The generous developers/property owners have long allowed multi-use trails to be built and maintained on the larger undeveloped, forested property near the housing development. A rugged disc golf course is located near the trailhead and around the first section of trails, and a dog park is nearby the trailhead as well. This set of recreational amenities makes this area a critical resource for the community at large.
The Wilder trails, accessible with a free permit available at Bike Newport, traverse typical coastal forest and meadow habitats, and include roughly 10 miles of single-track as well as gravel roads connecting the off-road sections. Some areas provide gorgeous ocean views, and wildlife abounds here. The annual Coast Hills Classic mountain bike race, part of the Oregon XC Series, has been held here annually, to great reviews by the regional riding community. The trails are also used by local cross-country running teams and the Newport student mountain biking team. Parking is available at the trailhead.
Historically, NEWTS has informally developed and maintained these trails, along with the City of Newport and other volunteers. NEWTS is now sponsoring more formal trail-work days at Wilder, both to maintain this great riding resource and to “practice” for building trails at Big Creek Reservoir.
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