About Wine Country Trail Runs

The Wine Country Trail Runs occur at Chehalem Ridge Nature Park near Gaston, OR.  Oregon Metro bought this former 1260-acre Douglas Fir tree farm and restored the area to its natural beauty.  The ten miles of well-groomed pea gravel and dirt trails allow visitors to enjoy wandering through evergreens, maples, white oaks, madrones, ferns, and streams flowing to the Tualatin River.  Views of the Cascades, Coastal Range, and the Tualatin Valley are obtainable at different vistas in the park.  Oregon Live called Chehalem Ridge an instant classic in the Willamette Valley.

The park is located near the heart of Willamette Valley's wine country. No matter which direction you are coming from Beaverton, Forest Grove, or Newberg, you’ll see rolling vineyards along the way. 

Adaptive Race

Northwest Dirt Churners is proud to have an adaptive 10k trail race. Adaptive racers will start at 8:45 am. The trails at Chehalem Ridge for the 10k route are safe and accessible for adaptive racers. Some switchbacks have tighter turning radiuses, which may be difficult for some users depending on their equipment. Participants may have to go slow on some of the turns on the Woodland Trail.

Land Acknowledgement

Northwest Dirt Churners recognizes that the trails in Chehalem Ridge Nature Park run through the traditional lands of the Chehalem and the Atfalati people (also known as the Tualatin Kalapuya).  We express gratitude to these indigenous tribes and their descendants for being these spaces' original and continuing stewards.

What to expect

The Wine Country Trail Runs is open to all levels and types of runners and athletes, including the new adaptive 5k and 10k races.  The 5k is relatively flat and on the dirt Timber Road and pea gravel.  There is no cut-off, so run, hike, or both.  The 10k and half-marathon runs are a little more challenging but not too difficult.  All runs will start at different intervals, but athletes will be on the course simultaneously.

Runners are rewarded with stemless wine glasses at the finish. In addition, ETA will serve food with vegan options to enjoy in the picnic areas. Participants over 21 can enjoy a splash of wine in their finisher's glass from Ardiri Winery and Vineyards. Tastings will also be available for purchase.

Courses

All races start and finish at the junction of Timber Road and Woodland Trail by the park's entrance.  Each race begins down Timber Road and ends on Woodland Trail.  The half marathon will have two aid stations, the 10k will have one aid station, and the 5k will not have any aid stations or water stops.  The park will be open to all users during the event, including mountain bikes and horses.

There will be water and electrolyte drinks at the start, so bring a hydration vest, water bottle, or handheld for the run. .

5K- The 5k starts down Timber Road for 3/4 of a mile and turns right on Ayeekwa Trail.  Ayeekwa Trail follows a creek and past a beaver dam.  Halfway through the run, turn left on Witches Butter Trail toward Timber Road.  Take a left on Timber for a short jaunt and then right on Woodland Trail.  Follow Woodland Trail to the finish.

10k- 10k participants will enjoy views of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier on the Ammefu Trail, a beaver dam on the Ayeekwa Trail, nurseries on the Witches Butter trail, and vineyards on the Mampał Trail.  Most of the course is on double-track pea gravel and dirt trails, with some running on Timber Road.  The Mampał aid station is at mile point 4.

Half Marathon- The half marathon uses every trail in Chehalem Ridge Nature Park.  This includes views of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier on the Ammefu Trail, a beaver dam on the Ayeekwa Trail, nurseries on the Witches Butter trail, and the Tualatin Valley and Coastal Range on the Chehalem Ridge Trail, and vineyards on the Mampał Trail.  The course is on double-track pea gravel and dirt trails, with only the first quarter-mile on Timber Road.  The Madrona Aid Station is at mile points 5.2 and 6.3. The Mampał aid station is at mile point 10.

Race Day Details

7/20/2025

Chehalem Ridge Nature Park opens at 8:00 am. No event parking is allowed in Chehalem Ridge Park except for the adaptive participants. Instead, runners will park on the shoulder closest to the park on the west side of the entrance.

Check-in at the picnic area near the start at 8:00 am for adaptive participants, 8:15 am-8:45 am for the half marathon and adaptive competitors, and 8:15-9:30 am for the 5k and 10k. Water and electrolyte drinks will be available to fill a water bottle or hydration pack before and after the race (remember this is a cupless race). Park restrooms are in the picnic area.

Adaptive racers will start at 8:45 am. The half marathon will start at 9:00 am, the 10k at 9:30 am, and the 5k at 10:00 am at the junction of Woodland Trail and Timber Road.  We'll have a pre-race meeting five minutes before each start.

The finish is also at Woodland Trail and Timber Road.  Finishers will enjoy vegan and non-vegan food from ETA.

Event's current local time: 7:43 AM PT