Reviewed by: Tortoise ,  Cross Country Rider , from Portland

Summary:
Had a nice day here but this "trail" is really a gravel/dirt road. Nothing technical at all. The best thing about this trail is that it can be a good long training ride if you do the whole lenght. Take any level of riders on this trail, newbies will be fine.
Some nice scenery along the way.

Recommended Route:
out and back the whole way

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Gales Creek, Hagg Lake, Brown's camp.

Reviewed by: Greg , from Hillsboro

Summary:
Head to the right out of the parking lot at the Manning trailhead onto the gravel road, cross the bridge, and jog to the left onto the gravel road. The first 3/4 mile is on a gravel road due to no access to the rail road right of way. Once you enter the trail again, the trail is paved to the Buxton Tressel. There is a trail around the tressel with a short killer hill both directions. Buxton tressel is a wonderful little grassey meadow that is kept mowed, and has a creek flowing through the middle. After leaving Buxton, the trail becomes packed gravel until mile 10 from Manning. It then becomes paved for the next 7 miles to Vernonia. Its a 2% upgrade for the first 9 miles, to the top hill tressel, then mostly a gentle down grade for 9 miles to Vernonia. The top hill tressel is not rideable, you must ride around the tessel across highway 47. There is a killer hill both directions,(you have to loose about 150 feet of elevation in a vertical way) with the hill on the Vernonia side being the steepest. Both directions can be climbed/ridden if you have an 18 inch first gear.
The trail is mostly like a packed gravel road, with very little technical skills required. This is a beautiful trip through the woods, and a great saturday workout. Start out early in the morning, to have the trail to yourself all the way to Vernonia. The trail is popular, but if I start a 7 am, I don't start seeing traffic until 3/4 of the way back. This trail is long but gentel, I believe that any one with endurance enough for a 4 to 5 hour trip should have no difficulty negotiating the trail. The trail has park benches every mile or so. There are several places to water your horse,complete with hitching posts. This ride is a must at least once. Bring your pencil, and write in one of the several trail diaries that are placed in (what else) mail boxes along the way. I guarentee that you will shout out with joy several times during the trip due to the beautiful scenery.

Recommended Route:
Drive West on Highway 26 to Hayward Road. Turn Right across the tracks to the Manning Trailhead. From Manning,its 35 miles round trip to the espresso shop in Vernonia. This ride is a must for all skill levels and ages. For those of you that woulld like a place to ride with your young children, the trail is paved for several miles backwards tward Banks, and absolutely level. A wonderful opertunity to take your 6 year old for a peaceful ride with training wheels, and no cars.

Reviewed by: Hess , from Forest Grove, OR

Summary:
Not an extremely intense ride by any means. In short it ascends and descends, one after ther other. No real fluctuation. Paved on either end with dirt and gravel toward the center. A very nice park on the Vernonia side for the family, etc. Recommended for small groups of hobbyists that just need a day in the woods to relax and enjoy some nice scenery. Excellent for scout groups and the like.

Reviewed by: Mike , from Portland

Summary:
This is the only section of the trail that I have ridden. It is a slight incline but it is not really that noticable. Great, fast ride back. About 1-1.5 miles in, you will come to a Great old tressel bridge with a creek running under it. This is a great place to take the wife and kids.

Recommended Route:
Take Hwy26 West about 10 miles past the Hwy6 Split. About .5 miles before the Dairy Queen in some little town I don't know the name of, there will be a sign on the right alerting you to the Banks/Verona Linear Park trail head. Turn right, go across the tracks and keep driving. Turn left and follow the dirt road for about 2 miles. You will come to the trail head on the right. Park there and start riding. The trail is paved for a while and then becomes hardpack.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Brown's Camp