Best Trails near Portland, Oregon

Good hike. Signs are kind of confusing so make sure you pay attention to them and make sure not to take wrong trail. Redwood Deck is a cool area to check out the trees!

I've hiked the full trail on a few different occasions. Parts are well-trafficked and there were other stretched where I wouldn't see anyone. Cool stuff to see along the way such as the stone house and the view from Pittock Mansion. Bring lots of water. I brought too little once anticipating I could fill up at Pittock Mansion but the water faucets were shut off.

The hike is moderate and very busy. Expect lots of people on trail during the summer months. Scenery is pretty, with a stream going through parts of it, and the witch's house is along the way. Pittock mansion and the view from its garden is beautiful. Definitely worth seeing.

A great hiking option without driving too far out of the city. Nice to have forested tails and open trails. Parking can be limited

Scenic. Friendly walkers, bicyclists, runners and dogs. Not fogged in as the city was below this hill. Caution when driving to the location, some drivers are flying downhill and may lose their lane; saw a crash on the way up that lead a car down the side of the hill and into a tree. Use this map to stay on the trail, since it's not well marked, and there's a few connecting trails going off of this one that won't take you directly back to the start of the trail. Parking was fine, not as crowded as the trailheads down below. Trail was a bit slippery on the wet leaves. The hike uphill was not easy, but if your up for a challenge or trying to get back in shape, it's worth it.

would be great for running! pretty mellow for a hike.

Solid hike - love the fall colors - a lot of people and a little too much road noise but so easy to get to from Dtn Portland. Trails well maintained and well marked

Gorgeous trails

I only hiked Wildwood trail from Cornell Rd to Pittock Mansion and back, which makes it a 3 mile out and back trail. I parked just outside the car tunnel off Cornell Rd. There's a pull off there for about 6 cars. The Tunnel Trail leads from there and connects with Cumberland Trail, which then joins Wildwood trail to Pittock Mansion.

Hiking up to the mansion was steep but not unbearable. It will get your heart pumping and you'll feel quite refreshed at the top. Expect to meet several hikers along the way (I did this hike at 3pm on a Sunday and met 8-10 people on the trail, so I imagine it would be even more on a Saturday afternoon).

The trail signs are really lacking. That's my only complaint. There are not enough maps of the area to tell you exactly where each trail leads, nor are there any mileages listed on the signs. Maybe on other parts of the trail it's better, but where I was was quite confusing. The trail itself was well groomed and very wide. They just need more signs!

This was my first time in Forest Park and I thought that the parking lot by the audubon society and nature store was the official place to begin all the trails....it's not. The trails that take off from the nature store/gift shop are just a short loop that never take you out of earshot of the highway. Jay trail is the "large" loop in this system (there is also Woodpecker trail and Wren trail that cut across the loop). The Jay trail does not connect with the greater trails of Forest Park (like Wildwood trail). It's a closed system.

That being said, if you have small kids (I passed a boy scout troupe), this is a great trail. Easy, wide, access to a small pond, a few wooden bridges, etc. Note that dogs are not allowed on these loop trails, even if they're leashed. Not really sure why, but there was a sign about it.

So if you're looking for a trail that really puts you in the woods and away from people for several miles...this isn't it. Otherwise, it's a great trail for kids.

Was a nice place,easy to walk because it’s flat.

This is a nice trail. I stayed at a nearby hotel and ran to the trail. It’s flat with nice views of the Columbia and Mount Hood. There were a few homeless people around; just mentioning that because of the reviews below.

Amazing place. Went yesterday, they’re decorating for Christmas. It is going to be amazing, wish I was going to be here. This is maintained by Servite Monks and is a prayerful place. If you aren’t into Jesus, Mary and Joseph go somewhere else. I almost didn’t stop here because it’s such a short trail. I am so glad I did. Spent an hour and a half going going through the Rosary Garden and the Stations of the Cross, as well as the Meditation Chapel on the top. Absolutely stunning view of (I’m guessing) Mt Hood. May go back tonight after dark, just to see it lit up!

We loved that this trail was dog friendly, we went with our brother and sister in law and had a blast with our pups, we did wish it was a little longer though but it had a great location and went and had lunch afterwards since we were so close to everything!
It did have a great view at the top overlooking Portland!

Hiked on Nov 8. Bathrooms at TH, no parking fee, parked on Thurman and walked down stairs next to the bridge. First section of the trail is beautiful, serene, canopied forest that wanders next to Baluch Creek. Continue straight at Stone House...trail has a few turns where it’s best to check your navigation because it is not well-marked up to Pittock Mansion. After you cross CORNELL Rd, you will hear traffic the rest of the way. Slight ascend, dense forest, and beautiful scenic views of P-town are your reward.

It's hard to imagine a better running trail for anyone interested in aviation, as there are many great views on planes in the air and in the ground.

Nice hike around Tabor with a great view of Mt Hood. Fairly populated but folks are friendly. Lots of well behaved dogs

Forest Park is beautiful and convenient for a nature escape if you live in or are visiting Portland. There is usually heavy traffic on trails until you hike further out. If your looking for solitude plan on hiking for a while but never the less a beautiful park!

Great little trail tucked away in a patch of woods! Pretty steady incline one way and decline on the way back. It’s not a very long trail but perfect for a quick hike or run!

Great way to start the day!

Heavy forest with a few looks of the port. Ended up around 12.6 miles and 2800+ vertical. Good climbs and one taxing downhill section. Good butt kicking route. Certain parts can get a bit busy with trail runners.

It was a nice fall stroll.

Parking for 5-6 vehicles (as long as people aren’t selfish) at the end of 103rd Ave. Walk up 103rd, it’s a closed road, to the trailheads. 2 homeless camp sites, 1 active and 1 just the discarded filth.

2 vehicles there when I arrived. Saw one person on the trails at very beginning. The other vehicle the people were sitting there when I arrived and still sitting in there when I left.

The hike itself was good. Very chill. It smelled like the forest and felt like it in spots. Constant city sounds (205, sirens, construction). But I like that there are a lot of trails, it’s fairly desolate and it’s in the city.

Cons: the neighborhood you drive through isn’t fantastic, randoms just chilling in their cars for no reason and the reminder that you are in the city and yes homelessness still exists. (Sorry if that sounds judgmental, I hike to recenter and disconnect from my every day)

A great resource that is close by with good covered canopy trails South, West and North sides, open Meadow trails near the summit, Dog friendly my dog loves it there, well-marked Trail Junctions with maps. Good rain runoff in the ravines in canopied area draining into Johnson Creek.
Good short hike without the long drive.

Beautiful in the fall! We didn’t see one person and the birds were chirping. Be careful on the wooden steps as they are very slippery.

One of the best urban trails in America!

great trail, but I ended up parking at Firelane 15 (about half a mile before the trailhead) because I couldn't easily find the start to this trail. I hiked Firelane 15 (blue trail on the left, on the map) until it connected to Skyline, and then just looped around from there. It took me an hour and a half hiking at a steady pace. Pretty empty (I went on a Tuesday at 3:30), and peaceful. Good signage.

I'm only saying three stars because I'm not sure I'd necessarily use this trail again. It was easy to navigate, a little steep in some spots. There weren't a lot of exceptional scenic notes, although the trees themselves are pretty enough to look at. It was fun to wander the mansion grounds, though.