With the spring season starting and the weather beginning to warm, it’s the perfect time to go outside and take advantage of Portland’s natural beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, these local trails are definitely worth checking out.
Wildwood Trail
★★★★★/5
Although this trail spans 30 miles, it is not necessary to walk the entire distance in one day. This trail goes straight through Forest Park, offering amazing scenery. There are various trailheads where you can choose to begin, and you can customize how long you want your hike to be. Some parts have more hills than others, accommodating every skill level. This is my overall favorite trail in Portland because it has incredible beauty and variety.
Washington Park Loop
★★★★/5
This is a great, easy 3.4-mile loop with an elevation gain of around 400 feet. The route passes several popular Portland destinations, including the Japanese Garden, the Rose Test Garden and the Oregon Zoo. It is an ideal way to check out all of those urban spots while still being in nature. Whenever relatives are in town, this is a great trail for them to explore Portland further. I love hiking this loop with my family, as it’s a perfect length.
Silver Falls State Park
★★★★/5
Silver Falls offers hikes of varying lengths. They have a 7.2-mile hike called “The trail of 10 falls,” where you loop around the park and see 10 waterfalls, to the “South falls out and back,” which is one mile, and you can see one waterfall. As the largest state park in Oregon, Silver Falls features over 24 miles in total of trails to explore. If you’re willing to drive about an hour from Portland to hike, this park is worth the trip.
Lower Macleay Trail to Pittock Mansion
★★★★/5
Starting in Forest Park, this 5-mile hike gains about 900 feet of elevation. The trail begins under the Thurman Street Bridge and heads uphill, passing by the “Witches Castle,” a historic Portland landmark. The hike finishes at one of
Portland’s most iconic viewpoints, where you have an amazing view of the city on a clear day. This is my favorite hike for when I want a challenge and a great reward at the end.
