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One of the most incredible things about Portland, Oregon is its easy access to miles and miles of wilderness. Hitting the trails has become synonymous with the Portland lifestyle, and there's no shortage of scenic hikes, waterfalls, and mountain vistas to venture to. The best part? Most of these hiking trails are close enough to the city that you can get a hike in pre- or post-work.
The greater Portland region is also gifted with a variety of interesting terrain. Just north of the city lies the Columbia River Gorge, which is packed with a rich geological history and home to more than 90 waterfalls. Many of the lakes and basins in the region were formed by the Missoula floods, a cataclysmic glacial lake outburst that swept across Oregon and Washington during the last ice age. Many of the basalt columns and waterfalls in the region were created as a result of this flooding.
To the east, Mount Hood dominates the skyline (on clear days) and Mt. Hood National Forest offers more than a million acres of wilderness to explore complete with lakes and old-growth forests. Drive west from the city and you'll reach Tillamook State Forest and the Oregon Coast beyond it.
To the northwest of the city is Forest Park, one of the largest urban forests in the country with over 80 miles of trails. And if you're really short on time, Marquam Nature Park and the Marquam Trail as well as Washington Park and Mount Tabor offer walking trails in an urban park setting within city limits.
The list of hiking trails around Portland is never-ending, but we've rounded up a few of our personal favorites if you're in need of a post-work wilderness bath or a quick day trip, presented below in no particular order. As always, remember to leave no trace to preserve all that pristine beauty for future hikers.
13 Solid Day Hikes Near Portland, ORE
Wahclella Falls
Driving time from Portland: 40 minutes
Distance: 1.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 223 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Route Type: Out and Back
Dogs: Allowed on leash
After closing due to the Eagle Creek Fire, the trail to one of the must-see waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge is finally open again. Starting from the Wahclella Falls trailhead parking lot, which is just off the Columbia River Highway, you'll first pass Murna Falls across a bridge which is impressive in itself before arriving at Wahclella, which makes Murna seem very small. The trail opens up to a beautiful amphitheater view of the falls and you can either take an upper or lower trail (or test out both) to get a view from multiple angles.
Punch Bowl Falls
Driving time from Portland: 50 minutes
Distance: 4.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,046 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Route Type: Out and Back
Dogs: Allowed on leash
The Columbia River Gorge is known in the Pacific Northwest for its abundance of waterfall hikes and Punch Bowl is one of the most accessible to keep in mind. Just under five miles on fairly easy terrain will bring you a spectacular view of the cascade and its dense forest setting. Although this is a lush temperate rainforest climate, much of the canopy was burned off during a fire in 2017. Despite this, it is still a beautiful hike and the vegetation is making a comeback.
Steigerwald Lake Refuge Loop
Driving time from Portland: 50 minutes
Distance: 4.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 30 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Route Type: Lolipop loop
Dogs: Not Allowed
Spanning over 1,000 acres of wetlands, the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge will make you forget you're only 30 minutes away from Portland. Because the wetlands tend to be, well, wet, it's important to check the weather before driving out because sections of the trail can close if the water rises too high. The trail has been closed for some time but is set to reopen on September 22nd with a refurbished visitor center.(Check trail status here.)
Beacon Rock
Driving time from Portland: 30 minutes
Distance: 2.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Route Type: Out and Back
Dogs: Allowed
Beacon Rock, an 848-foot basalt column that was carved out by the Missoula Floods, sits on the Washington side of the Columbia River. You can rock climb the northwest face, but for the hikers among us, there's a two-mile trail that winds its way to the top. The way includes a boardwalk and handrails so it's pretty tame but no less scenic. For a longer and more challenging hike, check out the 7.5-mile Hamilton Mountain Loop, which is also in Beacon Rock State Park and has views of Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and Table Mountain.
Lower Macleay Park to Pittock Mansion
Driving time from Portland: 10 minutes
Distance: 5.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 921 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Route Type: Out and Back
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Starting from Portland's Northwest District, this hike is perfect if you're a beginner hiker who wants to push the boundary a little bit. You'll gain 921 feet of elevation on this five-mile hike, so it is steep in some sections. The challenge is worth it though and you'll be rewarded with a view of Portland and the Willamette River from the top.
Hoyt Arboretum
Driving time from Portland: 10 minutes
Distance: 1.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 213 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Route Type: Loop
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Just 10 minutes away from downtown Portland, this is a quick and easy hike that is convenient for before- or after-work hikers. Several different paved paths wander through the arboretum and the greater Washington Park it's set in, so you can either stick to the loop or if you have some extra time to kill, choose your adventure and wander through the forest. If you're with kids, the Oregon Zoo is in the same area.
Multnomah Falls
Driving time from Portland: 30 minutes
Distance: 2.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 810 feet
Difficulty: Moderate/ Difficult
Route Type: Out and Back
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Multnomah Falls, another iconic waterfall that makes up the Columbia River Gorge area, is a moderate hike packed full of history. The trail begins from a parking area on the Columbia River Highway and starts by passing a stone lodge from 1925. From there, the 2.2 miles will gain 700 feet of elevation through a series of switchbacks. Twenty-five million years in the making, the falls expose six layers of an ancient basalt lava flow. If you want an even harder version you can continue five miles to Wahkeena Falls for a total 1,600 feet of elevation gain. This is the most popular hike in the state, so expect crowds.
Angel's Rest
Driving time from Portland: 30 minutes
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,476 feet
Difficulty: Moderate/ Difficult
Route Type: Out and Back
Dogs: Allowed on leash
The hike up to Angel's Rest might not be for the casual hiker but the workout is worth the reward. This steep and rocky hike takes you up from the Columbia River through the forest to a bluff above. From there you get a view of Beacon Rock and Silver Star Mountain as well as other landmarks across the gorge. You can also choose to extend your hike east to Wahkeena Falls.
Oaks to Wetlands Loop Hike
Driving time from Portland: 45 minutes
Distance: 1.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 88 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Route Type: Loop
Dogs: Not Allowed
This loop trail starts at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge just across the Columbia River on the outskirts of Vancouver, Washington. It's an easy loop for a casual hike that's open all year and home to a plethora of flora and fauna—you might catch sight of nutrias, bald eagles, raptors, or the occasional beaver. The trail crosses over the Ridgefield Bridge and the Amtrak that rumbles through periodically is a reminder that you're close to a city but doesn't detract from the scenery and wildflowers you'll see blooming all through the spring months. If you want a bit of a longer route you can connect it to the 2.8-mile Carty Lake Hike.
Round Lake and Camas Potholes Falls via Lacmas Creek
Driving time from Portland: 35 minutes
Distance: 3.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 288 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Route Type: Out and Back
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Round Lake Loop is another casual hike for those to just want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without venturing too far. Meander 3.8 miles on fairly easy (but sometimes muddy) terrain to Potholes (Lacamas Creek). It can be less impressive in the summer when water levels are much lower, the scenery is still worth the quick 30-ish-minute drive out of Portland.
Wildwood Trail and Leif Erickson Drive Trail Loop
Driving time from Portland: 15 minutes
Distance: 4.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 479 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Route Type: Loop
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Wildwood Trail is a popular hiking, biking, trail running, and bird-watching loop that's just a 15-minute drive outside of Portland. It is fairly flat with slightly rolling hills making it perfect for leisurely meandering through the dense forest while taking in the lush flora and fauna that PNW has to offer.
Dog Mountain
Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,988 feet
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Route Type: Modified Loop
Dogs: Allowed
With 2,800 feet of elevation gain, Dog Mountain is one of the tougher hikes on this list. Fields of wildflowers line the hike in the spring, but the views are good all year round. Be cautious during the lower forested section because poison oak tends to grow along the path. If you want a slightly less committing hike, you can go 1.5 miles to the Lower Viewpoint meadow, which makes a pretty good lunch and nap spot to soak in the views. Be advised: this is a popular spot, so plan to arrive early or risk a full parking lot.
Trail of Ten Falls
Driving time from Portland: 70 minutes
Distance: 7.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,151 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Route Type: Loop with a spur
Dogs: Not Allowed
With 9,000 acres, Silver Falls State Park is the largest in Oregon's state park system. It's also one of the lushest, with plenty of Douglas-firs in the forest and impressive waterfalls. This loop takes you past 10 of them over just under eight miles or rolling terrain.
Published 08-16-2022
