Wednesday, September 16, 2026 / South Eugene Meadows
South Eugene's new trail comes with 3.8 miles and one e-bike caveat
The South Eugene Meadows loop links Willamette Street to Blanton Road through prairie, oak woodland and views of Spencer Butte.
The newest piece of Eugene's Ridgeline system is a 3.8-mile lollipop loop from the new Willamette Street trailhead south of 52nd Avenue. It crosses a 194-acre mix of open prairie, oak habitat and Douglas-fir forest, with enough exposure to make sunscreen a more useful companion than optimism.
The city completed about 2.5 miles of new trail to create the loop and connect toward Blanton Road. A fresh local review found clear markings, a large parking area and a brisk walking time under 90 minutes.
Hikers and mountain bikers share the route, but a conservation easement adds one important rule: electric assist on bikes must be switched off inside South Eugene Meadows Park. The habitat work and trail construction also carry a larger Ridgeline goal—linking public access while protecting rare prairie and oak ecosystems.
Field notes
What changed: The South Eugene Meadows trail and its Willamette Street parking area are now available as a 3.8-mile Ridgeline loop.
Why it matters: The segment adds a substantial shared-use route and fills another connection in Eugene's south-hills trail system.
Who may be affected: Hikers, mountain bikers and south Eugene neighbors.