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The Portland Aerial Tram is one of the Ts in this trek. The Portland Aerial Tram is one of the Ts in this trek.
i
The Portland Aerial Tram is one of the Ts in this trek.
Culture / Outdoors

4T Trail

Trains, trails, trams and trolleys — oh my!

Updated Apr. 30, 2020 2 min read Southwest Portland

The unique 4T trail (the four “Ts” being trail, tram, trolley and train) is a self-guided urban nature tour that lets you explore the city — and see some of the best views — without a car. All it takes is about four hours, $5 and a bit of leg power. The route is well marked with signs, and includes about 2.5 miles of walking. (Visit here for a map of the trail.) Here’s an overview:

Train

Starting downtown, catch the MAX light rail (Red or Blue line) from Pioneer Courthouse Square (or nearby) to the Oregon Zoo stop. (Before boarding, purchase an all-day pass for $5 — this is good for the train and the streetcar.) The zoo stop is 260 feet (79 m) below ground level, in the nation’s deepest tunnel. Ride the elevator to the surface, where you have the option of exploring the zoo before following the “4T” signs for the next leg of the journey.

As you rest your legs from the moderately steep, hour-long climb, you can savor some of the city’s best views.

Trail

Head downhill, across the Highway 26 overpass, and exit the city landscape on the well-maintained Marquam Trail (also signed for the 4T). You’ll hike 1.3 miles up a wooded trail to Council Crest Park, the highest point in Portland at 1,073 feet. As you rest your legs from the moderately steep, hour-long climb, you can savor some of the city’s best views — along with a brown-bag lunch, if you so desire.

More Hikes and Trails

For a dose of outdoor recreation, head to these favorite local trails and hiking spots.

Go To Outdoors
Portland\'s pet parents love hitting the trails in Forest Park.

Favorite Hiking Spots in Portland

Put on some comfortable shoes and start walking — you’ll be surprised how easy Portland makes it.

Hoyt Arboretum offers 12 miles of accessible hiking trails.

Accessible Trails in and Near Portland

Portland and the Columbia River Gorge are filled with hiking opportunities, many of which have Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible portions.

Hikers of all ages enjoy exploring Forest Park.

Kid-Friendly Hikes

Portland has numerous kid-friendly hiking spots with trails under 4 miles (6 km) close to the city and bursting with natural beauty.

Tram

Walk downhill from Council Crest, crossing Southwest Greenway and Fairmont streets, and pick between 1) following the trail on a 2.2-mile hike through hilly Marquam Nature Park, or 2) taking a 1.6-mile walk downhill on city streets without sidewalks. Both paths lead to the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) campus, where 4T signs point to the upper terminal of the Portland Aerial Tram. (Tip: there are also public restrooms available at OHSU.)

The tram’s shiny, pod-like cars whisk passengers downhill while providing panoramic views of the Willamette River, the city’s east side and the Cascade Mountains. There is no cost to ride the tram downhill (round-trip tickets originating from the lower terminal cost $5.10 each). Note: The tram runs Monday-Saturday year-round. Visit www.gobytram.com for full schedule.

Portland Aerial Tram

If you’re looking for epic views and a unique perspective, look no further than the Portland Aerial Tram.

Try The Tram

Trolley

The final mode of transport is the Portland Streetcar, which you can board from the stop near the tram terminal. Running about every 15 minutes, the European-style streetcar — or trolley — will carry you back to downtown Portland, only one stop away from your starting point at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Download a description and map of the route.

Outdoors, Tours & Itineraries

Getting Around

Explore Portland like a local by using TriMet, the city's public transportation system.

Go To Transportation
The Portland Streetcar in the Pearl District.

Portland Streetcar

In 2001, Portland built the nation’s first modern-day streetcar: the sleek and modern Portland Streetcar.

MAX Light Rail connects downtown Portland to points throughout the city and region, including PDX International Airport.

MAX Light Rail

Portland's efficient light rail system connects the metro area and downtown core. Learn how to ride and where to go on MAX.

Many bus lines serve downtown\'s Transit Mall.

Bus Service

The TriMet bus system, which covers the city and its suburbs, offers low fares, friendly drivers and full wheelchair accessibility.

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