Jim Kettner
Jim Kettner is a coffee shop cartoonist, writer, illustrator and podcaster. Read More
Spring Hikes Near Portland
Shake off the rain! Portland hiking season is in full bloom.
Jim Kettner
Jim Kettner is a coffee shop cartoonist, writer, illustrator and podcaster. Read More
True Portland adventurers explore the great outdoors all year round, but there’s something extra-special about the first spring hike of the year. Enjoy gorgeous wildflowers, stellar bird watching and breathtaking scenery on these springtime rambles.
Dogwood Trail
To challenge your legs with steep elevation gain on big switchbacks, try the Dogwood Trail in Forest Park, Portland’s own urban wilderness. This popular hiking route is also a hit with trail runners. It’s a 2-mile (3.2 km) jaunt to the end and back, or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, link up with the Leif Erikson and Wild Cherry Trails for the 8-mile (13 km) Wild Cherry Loop. Access the trailhead from NW 53rd Drive off Cornell Road. 5 miles (8 km) from downtown Portland.
Oak Island
Oak Island (really a peninsula, don’t be fooled) on Sauvie Island is the perfect place to get your ornithology on. Opening May 1, the Oak Island Trail takes you on a 2.5-mile (4 km) loop through the heart of the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area. Keen eyes will find over 250 species of birds waiting to be discovered, including raptors, woodpeckers and migrating songbirds. 19 miles (30 km) northwest of downtown Portland.
Wildwood Recreation Area
If you crave a hike on the wild side, then the Wildwood Recreation Area is the place to be. Located along the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway, this 550-acre (223 hectare) site is a fantastic place to take in the majesty of Oregon’s tallest peak, as well as a starting point for a variety of beautiful hikes. Beginners can observe the scenic Salmon River along the 0.75-mile (1.2 km) Cascade Streamwatch Trail, while advanced hikers can take on the steep 4.7-mile (7.6 km) climb up the Boulder Ridge Trail into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. 43 miles (69 km) southeast of downtown Portland.
Where to go
Sauvie Island
Families can find an entire day’s worth of adventures on this island just northwest of Portland.
Forest Park
With 70 miles of trails within Portland city limits, 5,156-acre Forest Park is a popular escape for runners, equestrians and hikers alike.
Columbia River Gorge
Starting just 30 miles east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offers amazing vistas, trails and more than 90 waterfalls.
Catherine Creek
Catherine Creek in the Columbia Gorge offers a variety of hikes ideal for springtime. Visitors to the Catherine Creek Universal Access Trail will find breathtaking views of the Columbia River and Mount Hood, but the real treasures here are the wildflowers. Over 90 species of blossoms decorate the rich landscape of rock outcroppings, grasslands and oak forests. Choose between an easy 0.25-mile (0.4 km) stroll to a scenic overlook and a moderately difficult 1.25-mile (2 km) loop to take in more sights. 72 miles (115 km) east of downtown Portland.
Lacamas Park
If you haven’t had your fill of flowers at Catherine Creek, visit Lacamas Park to take in the fields of blooming camas. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced outdoor adventurer, Lacamas Lake Park has a hike that’s right for you. The park is home to a diverse network of multipurpose trails for hiking and cycling. The Washougal River Greenway Trail is a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) boardwalk-lined trail that passes through 125 acres (51 hectares) of scenery and crosses the Washougal on a 37-foot-tall (11 m) footbridge. For a more challenging hike, try the Lacamas Heritage Trail, a 3.5-mile (5.6 m) gravel trail that showcases rock formations and seasonal waterfalls. The neighboring Heritage Park provides the perfect spot for a post-hike picnic. 23 miles (37 km) northeast of downtown Portland.
Hiking around Portland
Outdoor events
First Caturday
First Caturday is a day to reclaim the glory of the outdoors for our feline friends. It is a day for delightful outdoor cat-napping and socializing, and where cat owners can freely exchange information, friendship and joy to help make their cats happy and healthy. Some cats actually like leash walks; others like stroller walks…
Whale Watching Week
Up to 20,000 gray whales migrate along Oregon’s coast every winter and spring. Spot them from these four locations.
Festival of Balloons
At the 35th Festival of Balloons in Tigard, the hot air balloons are definitely the featured attraction, but it’s more than balloons! The Festival of Balloons is a place for families and friends to gather, play and relax. Join up in the pre-dawn hours as approximately 20 hot air balloons launch into the morning sky…
Chapman Swift Watch
Every September, spectators gather to see the world’s largest roost of Vaux’s swifts swarm and spiral into the chimney of a Northwest Portland school.
Columbia River Gorge Tour
Offered by Wildwood Adventures. Upon departure from downtown Portland, the Gateway to the Gorge is where the real beauty begins. From earth-shaking landslides to enormous glacial flooding, the formation of the area has left us with breathtaking sights to behold. As you traverse from a temperate rainforest in the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area to…
Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour
Offered by Wildwood Adventures. Species seen nowhere else in the world, dramatic basalt lava flows nearly a mile deep and some of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls are a few of the sights that await you on this tour. Come experience the grandeur of the Columbia River Gorge, one of the United States’ most photographed…
Portland City Half Day Tour
Offered by Wildwood Adventures. With the Willamette River down the center and the Columbia River above, Portland is often more wildly known by its nicknames such as “Bridgetown,” “Brewtopia,” and “City of Roses.” Nestled at the base of a volcano and bundled snugly by old growth forests, this city boasts a landscape beyond a basic…
Willamette Valley Wine Tasting Tour
Offered by Wildwood Adventures. World-famous Pinot Noirs, crisp Chardonnays and sweet Rieslings are just a taste of the dozens of wines that Oregon has to offer. On this adventure through the rolling hills of the Willamette Valley, you’ll visit three carefully selected vineyards. Guests will partake in tasting flights and experience a behind-the-scenes view of…
Luxury, All-Inclusive Willamette Valley Wine Tour
The driver covers all tasting fees with charcuterie plates ($150 value for full day, $90 value for half day). Experience the best of Willamette Valley wine country on an all-inclusive, guided wine-tasting tour from Portland. Be chauffeured in a luxury SUV with a small group of fellow wine lovers and spend a half day or…
Bridge Tour
Join up for a morning walking tour that’ll go around, across, under and inside the unique and storied spans that shape the lives in Portland. Strolling along the waterfront, this tour will plan to cross several bridges, pausing at the Morrison Bridge to meet the bridge operator and to see the view from the control…
Holiday Half Marathon
One of Portland’s favorite winter races, the Holiday Half helps get you in the holiday spirit with gingerbread cookie aid stations and carolers serenading you along the course. Taking place on Swan Island in North Portland, the race offers runners scenic views of the Willamette River (along with photo opportunities with the race’s mascot, Freddi…
Forest Therapy Workshops
The smell of western red cedar, the sounds of wind and the crunch of maple leaves below your feet. Immerse yourself in a guided Forest Therapy Workshop at Columbia Springs! Experience a series of slow, mindful activities designed to open and engage the senses and connect you with nature in a way that invites healing…
Muddy Valentine 5k Mud/Obstacle Run
Join up Valentine’s Day weekend at Lee Farms in Tualatin Oregon as couples, families and friends escape the cliche and get down and dirty at the My Muddy Valentine 5k mud/obstacle run. Runners come dressed head to toe in hearts, tutus and even a few group costumes, ready to take on the muddy terrain. The…
Dirty Leprechaun 5k Obstacle Race
Get your St. Paddy’s day weekend started by joining up for some rompin’ good fun around Lee Farms. After some mud, guts and glory, stick around and have a beer or two before heading out on the town. Don’t miss out on all the fun — participation is capped at 1500.
Twilight Run 5K
The Foundation for Tigard Tualatin Schools presents their Ninth Annual Twilight Run, in partnership with RunSignUp and the Tigard Festival of Balloons. The 5K Twilight Run follows a flat and fast course along the beautiful bike trails. As you race towards the sunset, you will be surrounded by the wonders of the park and excitement…