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.

2 min read Downtown

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.

a map of a walking route through downtown Portland

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is wayfinding and why does Portland need it?

Wayfinding helps people navigate physical spaces using tools like signs and maps. Modern wayfinding also promotes a sense of place, enhances the walking experience and highlights local destinations. In a city that prioritizes pedestrians, it’s an essential tool to help people navigate comfortably and confidently.

What is a pedestrian?

A pedestrian is a person travelling on foot or with mobility aids.

Why is this pilot only temporary?

Implementing a permanent wayfinding system is expensive and complex — it’s a big undertaking, but not impossible! By using more affordable temporary materials in a smaller area and evaluating their performance over time, this pilot is a necessary first step toward a permanent system.

Why is the route located downtown?

This temporary pilot is focused downtown because it’s a natural destination for visitors to Portland — it also has a demonstrated need for both wayfinding and revitalization. A future permanent system could extend the system to other neighborhoods.

How was the downtown walking route developed? Why doesn’t it go by my business/down my street?

Public input identified landmarks like the Willamette River, Pioneer Courthouse Square and Powell’s as key destinations. The route, which is fully accessible and offers nearby connections to public transit, was selected to link these destinations. While signage is limited to the route during the pilot, one goal is to help people feel confident exploring the broader downtown area, using these tools as a starting point.

How can I get involved?

Take the survey! The pilot is intended to test out potential elements of a wayfinding system, and user feedback is critical. Explore the route and signage, then tell us what you would like to see in a permanent wayfinding system. And tell your friends to check out the Downtown Portland Walking Route!

Explore Portland With Near Me Now

Are you in Portland or visiting soon? Our Near Me Now web app will lead you to some of our favorite neighborhood spots.

Events Along the Route

These exciting events — and more — are happening along the Downtown Portland Walking Route.

More Portland Events

Visit our events calendar to discover even more things to do in Portland. Search by date, event type and more.

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