KING CASTLE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OR
Description
King Castle Trail is part of a larger network, including Olallie, O’Leary Mountain, and Castle Rock, BUT these trails are not suitable for adaptive riders. The trail itself is four miles, but when combined with the service road climb, the full route becomes a challenging ten-mile adventure. The climb covers six miles and gains 2,050 feet of elevation, though shuttling is an option. Personally, I prefer the climb—it’s a rewarding journey with breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife (one of our crew even spotted a mountain lion!).
The first section of the trail isn’t suitable for adaptive riders, so I recommend skipping this portion and starting where the trail crosses the road further up from the main trailhead. (See the suggested route below.) Rated aMTB3, the trail presents challenges that will test most riders, so bring a reliable crew and prepare for some teamwork. Despite the effort required, the ride is well worth it. Expect to navigate plenty of sidehill terrain and save some energy for the rock roll near the bottom—a thrilling highlight of the trail that might require a spotter. This feature alone makes the ride unforgettable!
Staging
Small, gravel, mostly flat parking lot with no marked spots and a non-accessible outhouse. If the lot is full, an alternative option is the community center lot nearby which has ample space.
