Two very different loops climb to the lowest hill and the tallest peak of the west Corvallis ridgeline. The trailheads are so close together, however, that you could decide at the last minute whether you’d prefer a short stroll amid oaks or a long climb through Douglas fir woods. Both routes are as popular for dog walkers and bicyclists as for hikers. The Bald Hill loop begins on a paved bike path, while the McCulloch Peak loop is mostly on the gravel logging roads of OSU’s McDonald Forest. The shorter hill actually has the better view.

Start at the west Corvallis crossroads . . .

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes : Oregon Coast