Scenic byways. They can be a good thing. Not only do they make for a beautiful ride, but having such stature ensures that should there be any damage to the road, it will be repaired as quickly as is reasonably possible, so it reopens sooner rather than later.

Scenic byways in the Pacific Northwest often entail more than a single length of road. This Oregon route incorporates two U.S. Forest Service roads and four state routes that take you from Estacada to Oakridge.

You won’t be able to travel this route in the heart of winter, because it has several sections at significant elevation and will be snowed in. But late spring, summer, and into early fall, this is a grand ride.

Actual seat time on the route is about five hours, but why push it? While you could run this trip in a day, we’ve got ideas to stretch it into two, even three.

The jumping off point is Estacada, where there are several gas stations and restaurant options to get you filled up before you ride. Riding south on state Route 224, you slowly flow into the Cascade Mountains as you parallel the Clackamas River. Eventually the road becomes Forest Service 46 and continues to follow the river toward its headwaters at Olallie. Soon you crest a high spot, about 4,000 feet in elevation, and drop out of the Mt. Hood National Forest into the Willamette National Forest. A tight 180-degree turn points you in the direction of Breitenbush Hot Springs.

If you’re a dual sport rider, Forest Service 6350 departs the pavement and will take you along Rhododendron Ridge, providing multiple views of Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson that can’t be had from the valley below.

Pavement or gravel, it does get cold up here at 4,000 feet, even on summer days. You could shake the chill by purchasing a day pass at Breitenbush and soaking in the hot springs on the grounds. Clothing optional.

Continuing west along Forest Service 46 will bring you to the town of Detroit, where you’ll find gas and several food options. Early riders will find this a welcome coffee break.The deck behind the gas station offers nice views of the boating economy here on Detroit Lake.

Continue east along state Route 22 through Idanha along the North Santiam River. Watch for a peek-a-boo view of Mount Jefferson, a 10,502-foot volcano. At the junction with state Route 20, turn right heading west, then make a quick left onto state Route 126.

It’s nice to cut the day short with an overnight at the Belknap Hot Springs Resort. Clothing required.

On the grounds are a number of rooms for rent, tent sites, RV sites, and even a few houses that can be rented for groups. There are three main soaking pools to choose from. Food is typically available from late spring into early fall. No overnight stay here is complete without a visit into the nearby water gardens.

If you’ve got the time, take a short detour with an out-and-back ride to the Dee Wright Observatory along the McKenzie Highway. Check the ODOT TripCheck website to make certain the road is open. The various portals in the observatory provide unique views of each of the surrounding volcanos, including The Three Sisters, Mount Washington, and others. The ride along the not-so-ancient lava bed can be quite eerie.

Continuing west on state Route 126, you can refuel at McKenzie Bridge. Then it’s time to ride south along a moto-favorite, Forest Service 19— the Aufderheide Memorial Drive, named after Willamette National Forest Supervisor Robert Aufderheide, who oversaw the area lands from 1954-59.

As you pass Cougar Reservoir on the left, you may spot access to the nearby Terwilliger Hot Springs on the right. Last call for a soak. Clothing optional.

Follow the road south and enjoy the rhythmic twisties. Due to its length, road surface quality will change depending on where the more recent resurfacing has occurred. Past the Box Canyon Forest Service office, the road heads west following the North Fork of the Middle Fork Willamette River.Hey, it’s a big river.

At the terminus of the ride, you’ll spot the Office Covered Bridge, also known as Westfir Bridge, a perfect spot for a selfie, then ride into Oakridge for fuel and services.

A loop of this route can be created by heading west on SR 58 and working your way north along the foothills of the West Cascades using roads with names, not numbers, via Lowell to Sweet Home to Stayton to Silverton and back to Estacada.

Tom Mehren is the publisher of the Pacific Northwest online magazine, soundrider.com. He provides annual tours, both paved and off-road of the region and founded the AMA-sanctioned Rally in the Gorge in 2003.