Portland Hikes

Portland is easily one of the top hiking cities in the entire US. Within an hour or two drive of this metropolis, lies a huge variety of landscapes, from deserts to a lush forested coast line, high altitude peaks draped with glaciers, and even an active volcano. Portland really does have everything – and it's all quite accessible.

The trails presented below offer a glimpse into the many hiking options that surround Portland, but a lifetime could be spent exploring the trails and landscapes of the area. These are all easy trails, suitable for quick day trips from Portland. Enjoy!
 

The Coast
The Oregon Coast is one of Oregon's great assets, and draws people here from all over the US and the world.

The most direct route to the coast is US Highway 26. What keeps US 26 from fully reaching the sea is a rocky, rugged headland known as Tillamook Head, which is encompassed in Ecola State Park. Several great hiking options exist, including the Clatsop Loop Trail (2 miles) which offers great views of the Pacific, and shorter trips which head both north and south from the Ecola Parking area. Hiking around Ecola State Park also makes it easy to explore the great coastal towns of Seaside and Cannon Beach.

A little further down the coast is Oswald West State Park, a spectacular park where the land rises several thousand feet from the ocean in just a few short miles. A short walk (.5 miles) through old growth Sitka Spruce leads to the intimate Short Sand Beach, which is tucked into a quiet cove. Neahkahnie Mountain, accessible via a short trail rests 1600' over the Pacific, offering incredible views of the Pacific and the Coast Range.

The Mountains
Oh the mountains. We've got plenty of options here. Mt. Hood, which is visible from most parts of the metropolitan area makes for a quick and spectacular escape from the city. The Ramona Falls loop is one of the most popular trails on Mt. Hood, but also check out Bald Mountain, with its short trip to a wildflower covered hillside and spectacular views of the west face of Mt. Hood. The trails around Timberline Lodge are perfect for exploration. Heading west, the Timberline trail leaves the lodge through open alpine country and great views before dropping into little Zigzag Canyon, a good turnaround point for those only looking for a short hike.

Mt. Adams, a little further away has many short trails that climb along its flanks to sample its alpine meadows, pounding creeks, and spectacular views. At three miles, the Adams Glacier Meadows trail leads hikers to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Other great trails, like the Stagman Ridge Trail and the McDonald Ridge trail offer quick access to the alpine country.

The Gorge
The Gorge is incredibly accessible to Portland, and the scenery is always great. There are of course the popular options like Multnomah Falls and Eagle Creek, but the Triple Falls loop, which samples three sizable waterfalls is a great alternative. My favorite falls has become Latourell Falls, the first major waterfall from Portland. A nice two-mile loop trail rises above Latourell Falls to the upper falls before descending back to the parking area.

The Desert
Oregon's rainy and wet persona stops several miles to the east of the crest of the Cascades, where the lushness of the west side gives way to a narrow zone of ponderosa pine before sagebrush takes over the landscape.

There are several great day hikes relatively close to Portland that sample this dryer side of Oregon. The Lower Deschutes River trail parallels the river, where the verdant plant life near the river contrasts sharply with the browns and arid landscape of the surrounding hills. The trail extends several miles into the valley. Note that there are rattlesnakes along this trail, so keep an eye out as you hike.

The Tom McCall preserve inhabits the small zone between forest and desert. The open landscape makes for great views, which in the spring is covered in wildflowers. Several hiking options exist to sample the area, including a couple loop trails wandering through the meadows and past small ponds.

While not a long trail, White River Falls State Park offers a trail to the impressive waterfalls that pound over a 90' basalt cliff. It's only a quarter miles to the falls.