From there it winds eastward though the Northern Oregon Coast Range along the Wilson River, and through a portion of the Tillamook State Forest.

The stretch through the Coast Range is well known for its scenic beauty (as well as frequent accidents; the highway is a highly traveled route despite numerous twists and turns and steep grades).

At the base of the Coast Range, Oregon Route 8 forks off to the east, heading towards the communities of Gales Creek and Forest Grove; whereas OR 6 continues to the northeast.

During the Great Depression workers from the Works Progress Administration assisted in the construction of the road.

In 2022, the state legislature passed a law that requires the Oregon Department of Transportation to conduct a survey of the highway to reduce hazardous road designs.