Best Trails near Portland, Oregon

this is my go-to trail when I need some forest time but don't have time to get out of the city. relatively quick and easy (with one steep incline section). depending on the time of year there's a nice little stream and great views.

Love it . Easy but beautiful

Kicked my a** lol

Great burn from the bottom of the hill and recovery for all, kids and up!

Great hike when you're itching to go out, but don't have time to leave the city. Head on up see the famous view of Portland from Council Crest.

This is an exceptional option for urban hiking with some nature mixed in. Perfect for the rainy season, when the abundance of gravely and paved surfaces is much appreciated! You can easily extend this to a much longer hike by following the riverfront path to Sellwood or the South Waterfront.
The only downside (knocking this down to 4 stars) is the persistent smell of sewage on the area that parallels I-5.

Well maintained trail in the heart of PDX. I prefer early as the trail is open at 5 AM. Nice and quiet then.

Nice moderate hike. A good hill climb in the middle but mostly even through the rest. No views to speak of but you are deep in the woods. Very nice escape!

There were quite a few people at the mansion, but the trail up from Cornell was not too crowded. Most people take the easy way up and drive in the mansion's parking lot. I enjoyed the hike, and the view of Portland from the mansion grounds was great. If I have been there it has been so many years ago that I forgot what it's like. It's cool that you can walk around the mansion without having to pay for a tour. It's about as good a view of the city as you can hope for. Feels like you are right on top of it.

I like these short loops that give surveys of different areas of Forest Park. Instead of doing a longer hike today I did three short ones. This particular loop doesn't have distant views, but the forest scenery is enjoyable. The trailhead parking along the road shoulder can get a bit crowded at peak times.

The headlands for all downtown Portland mountain biking excursions (gravel grinders welcome too).

Drive/shuttle up and approach it from Skyline Blvd where there’s ample parking, or just start on your Surly at the waterfront and ride Thurman *all* the way up for 10 miles of well-compacted graveled glory.

Lief Erickson is basically an extension of NW Thurman St. and you can ride it all the way up or down through its beforested wonder; that is, with at least 10 good options for serious downhill side-excursions along the way.

Start at the top and bomb down through the quiet woods or start in the Pearl and ride all the way up. Actually do both: ride up 10miles through the beautiful forest, hit up the utterly amazing and “local-secret” Skyline Tavern for a pint of Boneyard. Or three. Then head back down, but this time take one of many fire lanes and choose your own adventure as to downhill glory.

Alternatively, fly your gravel grinder back down averaging 30mph and—towards the bottom—come out of a corner so fast that you pull a 20ft front-wheelie.

Everyone will say “whoa... cool!” And they’ll have no clue (none) that you were just braking as hard as you could to avoid hitting hikers with baby strollers while flying insanely fast through an amazing forest. Totally didn’t happen. Last month. Wasn’t the fault of Boneyard RPM, Skyline Tavern, and sheer happiness. Nope.

Anyway, if you like bikes and Portland and haven’t done this ride... you’re a tourist.

Great place to run trails in beautiful forested areas. The grass fields have TH markers to branch out in trails.

beautiful view. uphill, downhill, and flat terrain. easy to get to if you're in Portland. trail, stair, or road options. very dog friendly. usually occupied by a lot of other people. not a secluded area at all. great for all levels.

Great hike in the city.

Love this trail, perfect hiking place for a hot day.

Enjoyed this hike. Peaceful and beautiful

Nicely maintained trail. Beautiful view at the top.

It was a beautiful place but way to many people for my liking. I go out to get away from people and the hustle and bustle of the city and if that’s what you’re looking for this isn’t it.

Great city park. Good for trail running.

Great views. Downhill gravel is a bit rough but only a small part of the hike.

nice and well marked simple and relaxing break from the city

Really great for a city trail. Good for trail running.

We only completed the loop portion of this trail. Quite beautiful trail itself with only glimpses of views. There were lots of trail runners and other hikers.

Where else can you hike on a Sunday morning five miles from downtown Portland and see two other people? Don't go if spider webs freak you out. (I'm used to them in this area by now.) Biked from Sellwood Bridge down 43/SW Macadam/Riverside. Highway has a narrow paved shoulder but traffic was relatively mellow, ok for experienced adult riders. Trailhead is a bit tricky to spot; preview it on Google Streetview, then keep an eye out for the guardrail on the stream right after it.

one way small trails part of the way with a couple cross streets. overall wonderful with good incline!

Beautiful, well kept trail. Lots of foot traffic on the weekend.

I run this trail several times a week year round in combination with adjacent loops. One of the Crown Jewels in Portland’s Park System. Try connecting this to the Council Crest Park loop if you have time for a true “I heart PDX” workout!

Nice wide open asphalt path, about the width of a car. Don’t know how they get 11 miles. I started at the parking lot, went to the end of the path and back and it was about 2 miles. Maybe there are 11 miles of trail total

I was out at 6 AM, after the sun came up and did not feel quite safe with the folks who appeared to live there tucked into corners of the park

It’s a beautiful trail, and I would do it again, but not do it alone at a deserted hour.