
Walk Portland: Discover Downtown
Walking is a perfect way to experience everything Portland has to offer. The Downtown Portland Walking Route can help you explore the heart of the City of Roses.
With its compact downtown blocks and abundance of attractions, Portland is the perfect city for a stroll or a roll. Walk Portland, a partnership between the Portland Bureau of Transportation and Travel Portland, seeks to make it easier than ever for pedestrians to explore the city.
The Downtown Portland Walking Route
In 2025, we’re launching a short-term pilot wayfinding system to help people explore Portland as a pedestrian: the Downtown Portland Walking Route. The route was created to be a cohesive downtown walking loop connecting Portland landmarks — think top destinations like Powell’s City of Books, Pioneer Courthouse Square and Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Signage along the walking route will also encourage pedestrians to discover other local attractions and easily connect to public transit.
Pedestrians in downtown Portland — whether from Lents, Tigard or Tokyo — will be able to enjoy this new experience through October 2025. This pilot has been funded in part by a grant from Travel Oregon and made possible with support from Oregon Walks.

Wayfinding in Portland
Wayfinding is a system of signs, maps and other visual tools to help pedestrians feel safe, comfortable and confident navigating a city on foot. During the pilot, you’ll find downtown pedestrian wayfinding signs along the Downtown Portland Walking Route — printed maps are also available at the Portland Visitor Center. This pilot and its temporary signage are designed to see what works and what doesn’t in helping people navigate downtown.
The long-term goal of this project is to create and implement a cohesive, user-friendly wayfinding system that helps pedestrians navigate Portland, enhances the pedestrian experience for visitors and locals alike, and promotes a sense of place. We’ll apply what we learn from this test to a more permanent system in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wayfinding and why does Portland need it?
What is a pedestrian?
Why is this pilot only temporary?
Why is the route located downtown?
How was the downtown walking route developed? Why doesn’t it go by my business/down my street?
How can I get involved?
Events Along the Route
These exciting events — and more — are happening along the Downtown Portland Walking Route.
The City of Portland is committed to providing meaningful access. To request translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, or other auxiliary aids or services, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-4000 (311), Relay Service & TTY: 711.
Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | 口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad | Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me Awewen Kapas | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या
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