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Discover Scenic Walks: A Guide to the Portland’s Best Walking Trails
Portland’s vibrant culture and food scene are well-known, but its true charm lies in its stunning natural landscapes. Picture escaping the city to a peaceful forest, where rustling leaves and chirping birds are your only companions.
With over 150 miles of trails, many just a short walk from downtown, Portland offers an incredible blend of urban convenience and natural beauty.
Keep reading as we lead you on a journey through Portland’s best walking trails that promise to refresh your spirit and highlight Portland’s remarkable outdoor spaces.
1. Mountain View Trail at Powell Butte Nature Park
Address: 16160 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97236
Distance: 1.4 miles
Price: Free
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 5 AM – 10 PM
The Mountain View Trail is known for its accessibility and ease, making it suitable for all skill levels.
The journey begins at the park entrance in Southeast Portland and follow the signs from the main parking area to the trail. Take the paved Mountain View Trail, which leads toward the summit.
Continue along the loop to enjoy scenic views of Mount Hood, Mount Saint Helens, and Mount Adams. The trail is also rich in wildlife. You’ll have opportunities to see various birds, including raptors, and are surrounded by beautiful meadows and diverse landscapes.
Pro tips:
Consider hiking the loop in a counter-clockwise direction, taking the Mountain View Trail up and the Wild Horse Trail down for a gentler descent. This way you can also enjoy picturesque meadows filled with wildflowers when you go down.
2. Concordia Neighborhood Greenways Walk
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Address: Concordia neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, 97211
Distance: 3.3 mile
Price: Free
Operating Hours: Open for walking all the time
The Concordia Neighborhood Greenways Walk is a fun loop that lets you explore Portland’s Greenway network. It includes low-traffic streets that are just perfect for walking and biking.
Winding through the Concordia and Cully neighborhoods, this walk is a great way to check out local parks, cultural spots, and historic sites while enjoying the outdoors.
The route is mostly flat, though some parts might lack sidewalks or curb cuts. It’s suitable for everyone, and there are restrooms and amenities along the way.
Pro tip:
There are local parks along the route, such as Alberta and Fernhill Parks. Make sure that you also check them out for a more fun experience!
3. Marquam and Flicker Loop Trail
Address: Marquam Nature Park, Portland, Oregon
Distance: 1.74 miles
Price: Free
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 5 AM – 12 AM
The Marquam and Flicker Loop Trail offers a peaceful escape into nature right within the city. Accessible from Terwilliger Boulevard, the nearest trailhead is at the junction near 12th Avenue.
This charming trail winds through lush greenery, including deciduous forests, moss-covered trees, and ferns. Wildlife enthusiasts will also enjoy opportunities for birdwatching and spotting local fauna.
The loop is relatively flat and suitable for individuals and families. It has well-maintained paths, footbridges, and scenic views of the Willamette River and downtown Portland’s skyline.
Pro tip:
The trail has some elevation gain, so be prepared for a bit of a workout. But, don’t worry, it’s still accessible to most walkers.
4. Lower Macleay Park
Address: 2960 NW Upshur St, Portland, OR 97210, United States
Price: Free
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 5 AM – 10 PM
Lower Macleay Park is a popular starting point for scenic walks in Portland’s Forest Park, offering access to the Lower Macleay Trail.
The moderately challenging trails span about 4.9 miles for a round trip with some steep sections, especially near Pittock Mansion. Along the trail, hikers can enjoy views of Balch Creek, lush forest, and possibly spot cutthroat trout.
The trail culminates at Pittock Mansion, offering panoramic views of Portland and Mount Hood.
From Lower Macleay, hikers can connect to various loops and trails, including:
- Holman Loop: A 1.75-mile trail that explores the southern fringes of Forest Park.
- Aspen Loop: A 2.25-mile trail that offers a slightly more challenging hike than the Holman Loop. It features a mix of terrain that includes both flat sections and some elevation changes.
- Wild Cherry Loop: A 5-mile trail that extends deeper into the forest, providing a longer trek with varied terrain.
- Dogwood Loop: A 6.1-mile trail that combines steep climbs and gentle slopes, offering a comprehensive experience of the park’s diverse landscapes.
- Alder Loop: An 8-mile trail that includes significant elevation changes and a variety of trail conditions, making it a more strenuous option.
- Firelane 1 Loop: An 11-mile trail that traverses a range of terrains and elevations, providing a comprehensive experience for hikers.
Pro tips:
- Lower Macleay Park is home to various wildlife species. Keep a safe distance and do not feed the animals to avoid disrupting their natural foraging behavior.
- Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash to avoid disturbing wildlife
5. Leif Erikson Trail
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Location: Forest Park, Portland, Oregon
Price: Free
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 5 AM – 10 PM
The Leif Erikson Trail is an 11-mile path that winds through Forest Park. It’s wide and has a gentle grade, making it perfect for walking, running, and cycling.
To access the Leif Erikson Trail, use the trailhead located just past 4015 NW Thurman Street. The closest public transit option is the TriMet 26 bus. Look for the water fountain, bench, interpretive sign, and bike racks—these will indicate that you are near the trailhead.
The trail runs through the forest with gentle slopes and features a variety of native plants. For the first quarter mile from Germantown Road, you might hear some traffic, but it soon blends into the forest sounds.
From the Thurmann Street trailhead, you can also access these trails:
- Wild Cherry Trail: A 0.3-mile trail that branches off Leif Erikson and connects to the Wildwood Trail, ideal for creating shorter loop hikes.
- Dogwood Trail: A 0.9-mile trail that also connects to the Wildwood Trail, offering access to longer loop hikes and more challenging terrain.
- Alder Trail: A 1.4-mile trail connecting to the Wildwood Trail, located farther from the Leif Erikson trailhead on Thurman Street.
Pro tip:
The trail can get crowded on weekends, so if you want to have a quieter experience, consider visiting during weekdays or early mornings.
6. Hoyt Arboretum
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Address: 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221
Price: Free
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 5 AM – 10 PM
Hoyt Arboretum features 12 miles of trails that vary in surface types, including paved, packed dirt, and gravel. Some trails may include stairs, steep grades, and exposed roots, making them suitable for different skill levels.
The trail is also actively improving accessibility, particularly on the Bristlecone Pine Trail. This includes widening trails, creating resting areas, and ensuring smoother surfaces for mobility devices.
Here are the recommended trails for walking in Hoyt Arboretum:
- Fir Trail: A 0.5-mile path through a spruce forest, Red Pine Collection, and salal hedges, ending at the Pavilion.
- Spruce/Wildwood/Redwood Trails: A 0.9-mile route passing through global spruce trees, Wedding Meadow, and a redwood grove.
- Bristlecone Pine Trail: A one-mile trail leading to the ancient bristlecone pine.
- Overlook/Wildwood/Hawthorn/Maple/Wildwood/Holly Trails: A 1.25-mile loop through diverse trees, meadows, and varying elevations. It also offers a side trip to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Pro tip:
Before your trail, pick up a trail map at the Visitor Center and get advice from the staff. Maps are also available online and in multiple languages.
7. Tryon Creek State Natural Area
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Address: 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland, OR 97219
Price: Free
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 7 AM – 4 PM
Tryon Creek State Natural Area is the only state park within a major metropolitan area. It features 8 miles of well-maintained hiking trails that are open year-round.
These trails vary in difficulty, with some leading down to the banks of Tryon Creek. The place is teeming with wildlife. It has various bird species like woodpeckers, song sparrows, and kingfishers, as well as mammals like deer and red foxes.
For walking, the notable trails at Tryon Creek State Natural Area include:
- Trillium Trail: A 0.3-mile paved path that is accessible and provides scenic overlooks.
- Old Main Trail: A 0.6-mile dirt and gravel trail that descends into the park and offers access to several rustic footbridges.
- Lewis & Clark Trail: A 0.7-mile short side trail leading to a suspension bridge.
Pro tip:
You can grab a free park map at the Nature Center to help navigate the trails. The trails are well-marked, but having a map can help you understand the layout and plan your route.
