Umpqua Valley Views

A favorite of Roseburg Area cyclists.  The Valley View ride starts and ends at Stewart Park in Roseburg.  The park is a day-use-only facility and is located along the South Umpqua River on the Southwest side of town.  The park offers restrooms, pavilions, picnic areas, accessible playgrounds, disc golf course, ball fields, sand-court volleyball and multi-use paths.  It is located near the Roseburg YMCA and it features a retired steam locomotive popular with visitors and kids.  In summer, free live music is offered in Stewart Park on Tuesdays at the Half Shell Pavilion

You will pass the Umpqua Valley Arts Center on the way to Stewart Park.  The Umpqua Valley Arts Center features local and regional art displays in several galleries.  The Arts Center was formerly the Old Soldiers Home, established in 1917–the beautiful, if humble, beginning of today’s sprawling VA Center nearby.  

Soon after beginning the Valley Views ride, cyclists turn onto Lookingglass Road and begin a long climb.  Shoulders vary along this route but generally support safe single-file riding.  Traffic can be heavy at times.  A gravel pit operates right at the top of this climb and after passing it, traffic often thins out quickly.

At the top of the long climb, you begin an exhilarating glide down into the little crossroads community of Lookingglass where, if the quaint country store is open, water and refreshments can be had.  Riding next onto Coos Bay Wagon Road confronts you with some limited shoulders, although often with little traffic.  Later, the route has wider shoulders and passes by Melrose Store (refreshments available).

The ride takes you through local country roads with vineyards, farms, forests, rivers, and a view of the Callahan Ridge.  Throughout, the ride features some steady, modest grades with fun downhill runs.  When you reach the Melrose area, you have the option of traveling north on Melqua Road and visit the Melrose Winery or West on Melrose Road to visit Hillcrest Winery, the first pinot noir vineyard in Oregon.

Take I-5 exit 124 West on Harvard Avenue.  Pass the Umpqua Valley Arts Center and turn right onto Stewart Parkway, cross the bridge, and turn right into Stewart Park.