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The Springwater on the Willamette Trail offers views of downtown.

Bicycle Maps & Where to Ride

Find your way around with these resources and recommended rides.

2 min read

With bike lanes and paths all over town — not to mention cool forests and striking scenery — Portland has great places to ride for cyclists of all abilities.

There are 30 miles of bikeable paths in Forest Park, a swath of old-growth timber and pristine forest landscapes in Northwest Portland.

Maps & Resources

The Portland Bureau of Transportation offers great resources for cyclists who want to explore the city and region:

Favorite Portland Bike Routes

Springwater on the Willamette

From downtown, cross the Willamette River via the bike-friendly Hawthorne Bridge and follow a 3-mile (4.8 km) path between OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) and the Sellwood Bridge. This is the Springwater on the Willamette, the westernmost leg of the Springwater Corridor, a rails-to-trails project. From this section of the trail, you can access Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, Sellwood Riverfront Park and Oaks Amusement Park — or head into the Sellwood neighborhood for food, drink and shopping.

Forest Park

There are 30 miles (48 km) of bikeable paths in Forest Park, a 5,156-acre (2,086-hectare) swath of old-growth timber and pristine forest landscapes in Northwest Portland. One of the most popular routes for bikers is the 11.2-mile (18 km) Leif Erikson Drive, with views of the Columbia River, Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens.

Mt. Tabor Park

Take the Hawthorne Bridge to Southeast Portland, then roll through historic Ladd’s Addition and the foodie heaven of the Division/Clinton neighborhood before beginning the climb toward Mt. Tabor Park. In the park, you’ll ascend 650 feet (198 m) on forested paths to the summit, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the terrain you just covered and the city skyline.

Northeast Neighborhood Greenways

Explore the residential neighborhoods of Northeast Portland via low-traffic routes known as greenways. Enjoy views from the Alameda Ridge, and, for an extra challenge, climb Rocky Butte at the eastern edge of the loop.

Before hitting the road, make sure to review bike safety tips from Bike Portland.

Biking, Outdoors

Elsewhere Online

Metro

Interactive Bike There! Map

Travel Oregon

Oregon Scenic Bikeways

Explore By Bike

More Cycling

Portland Bike Tours

Bike tours let you see Portland like a local, rolling through neighborhoods along this cycling-friendly city’s many bike paths, trails and lanes.

Biking in the Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is a recreational biker’s paradise, with options including car-free blacktop, smooth single-track flows and canyon trails with tricky switchbacks.

Bicycling the Banks-Vernonia State Trail

The small logging town of Vernonia has become a central hub for bike routes through the surrounding state forest.

Exploring Gresham by Bike

Gresham, an east Portland suburb, offers a bevy of bike-friendly businesses and stellar views of Mount Hood.

Bike Safety Tips

Portland loves bikes, but it's still important to be armed with knowledge and cycle safely.

Biketown Bike-Share in Portland

Introduced in 2016, Portland’s bike-share program brings 1,000 smart bicycles to the central city.
5 to ride

Good parks for cycling in Portland

  • Springwater Corridor Trail

    The rails-to-trails project’s paved surface, generally 10-12 feet wide with soft shoulders, is designed to accommodate walkers, joggers, hikers, bicycles, wheelchairs and equestrian users.

  • Forest Park

    Portland's 5,200-acre urban forest, just minutes from the central city, stretches seven miles in length and contains more than 80 miles of trails.

  • Mt. Tabor Park

    This popular park features expansive views, picnic areas, natural-surface and paved paths, a dog off-leash area, a playground and a performance stage, plus tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.

  • Rocky Butte

    Rocky Butte is an extinct volcanic cinder cone with great views of Portland and the Cascade Range. The butte features hiking trails and is a popular rock climbing area.

  • Council Crest

    At 1,073 feet above sea level, Council Crest is the highest point in Portland. From the top of the hill visitors can see five mountains in the Cascade Range: Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Jefferson and Mount Rainier.