Portland is a weird city in the most beautiful ways. After all, there’s a reason they embrace the mantra “Keep Portland Weird!” Downtown serves a hub for emerging businesses, local eateries and live entertainment, while the outskirts of Portland grant access to several must-stop travel destinations and hidden gems nearby. However, it’s the longer riding season that makes this city a hotbed for adventure enthusiasts. If you’re considering a trip to the Pacific Northwest, our Portland location is the perfect place to start. Conveniently located less than ten minutes from Portland International Airport, our office has a friendly staff ready to help with any questions, and offers easy access to some of the most scenic roads in the Pacific Northwest.
Take a ride along the Columbia River Highway Scenic Route, which starts just outside of Portland and takes you around Mt. Hood, Oregon’s highest mountain peak. This world-class route is considered one of the most scenic drives in America by those lucky enough to experience it. Better yet, take this five-day route, recommended by MotoQuest’s very own Phil Freeman, that includes the Columbia River Gorge, Lolo Pass, Devil’s Pass, and the Antelope Highway – all featured in our Trail of Lewis & Clark adventure.
Maybe a five-day trip is too much seat time for you? If that’s the case, try this two-day ride out to the history-rich city of Astoria and back down to Portland. If you’re up for a little more sightseeing, continue the ride down to Oregon’s “Wine Country” in the Willamette Valley, where you’ll have access to more than 250 wineries, family restaurants and farmland. This spot is guaranteed to bring out your inner wine connoisseur and has a vibrant hotel district where you can rest after an afternoon tasting Oregon’s finest wines.
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Portland offers so much to see and do, we just had to ask a few of the MotoQuest guides what their favorite spots are and, to no surprise, they all had similar thoughts. Here’s the general consensus:
What are the top 5 places you tell your customers to go when picking up a bike in Portland?
- Route 101 Oregon Coast
- Columbia River Gorge
- Mt. Hood
- Mt. Saint Helens in Washington – Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- East of Cascade Mountains / Oregon High Dessert
What are the top 5 places you hear FROM your customers about where they have loved to ride?
- Crater Lake
- Columbia River Gorge – Mt. Hood
- Olympic National Park – Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington
- Oregon Coast / California Coast
- Banff National Park in Canada
Tell us your ideal 3-5 day ride out of Portland…
For those on their first exploration of the Pacific Northwest, we would recommend heading east on Columbia Gorge / Route Scenic 30 (Multnomah Falls) to Hood River. Then go south to Timberline Lodge for lunch with Mt. Hood by your window, cross the Cascade Mountains to the city of Maupin and hang out for a night by the Deschutes River.
Go south the next day towards the small town of Antelope and do not miss the switchback roads heading east to Fossil, where you’ll turn south again and go by Mitchell. A few miles northwest from here is the John Day Fossil Beds Painted Hills. These hills are known as one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon and certainly make for an incredible photo-op.
After visiting the Painted Hills, ride east towards Sisters to get on Route 242 McKenzie Pass (Lava Fields) and stop at Dee Wright Observatory, where you can see several mountain peaks from one spot, and spend a night in Belknap Springs. Wander east over the Cascade Mountains the next morning and make your way to the Oregon Coast, turn right onto Route 101 and before you know it you’re riding alongside the Pacific Ocean.
From here, take the 101 all the way to Astoria where the mighty Columbia River finds its end to the sea. Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, and home to the 125-foot Astoria Column, which boasts breathtaking views and murals showcasing Oregon’s early history.
Cruise on back to Portland taking Route 202 and Route 47 to Scappoose through Clatsop State Forest on the twisty backcountry roads on to Route 30. Take Route 30 all the way to Portland where you’ll take a left on St. John’s Bridge, the nicest bridge in town, and continue east through town to end your ride at the MotoQuest shop.
For those interested in a guided tour, we offer a few options that explore Portland for you to choose from. The Trail of Lewis and Clark adventure is a voyage back in time as we visit actual locations from the historic Lewis and Clark expedition. This route will take you through some of the most beautiful backroads Oregon has to offer and gives riders a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the Corps of Discovery during their travels west.
Trail of Lewis & Clark
September 14, 2020 – September 27, 2020
September 13, 2021 – September 26, 2021
Not interested in traveling east? Try one of our two Pacific Coast Highway tours. Both Northbound and Southbound routes have stops in Portland and include spectacular ocean views mixed with fast-paced curves.
Pacific Coast Highway Southbound
October 09, 2019 – October 19, 2019
October 08, 2020 – October 18, 2020
Pacific Coast Highway Northbound
May 04, 2020 – May 14, 2020
Maybe you’re interested in visiting Portland but want to travel further north. If so, we’ve got the route for you! Book a North to Alaska tour and embark on a 2,800-mile ride up north that takes you along the world-famous Alaska Highway. This 11-day trip starts in The Rose City and is packed with postcard-worthy scenery from the start.
North to Alaska
May 15, 2020 – May 26, 2020
May 14, 2021 – May 25, 2021
The Portland adventures mentioned above are just some of our favorite routes to take when visiting the Pacific Northwest. There are plenty of other places to visit and roads to travel, and we can help you get there. Send us a message when you find an adventure that piques your interest.