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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
Summer may be the season that gets the most hype from hikers, but true Portland adventurers explore the great outdoors all year-round — and there’s something extra-special about the first spring hike of the year. Spring weather in Portland can offer quite a mix, with rain and sunshine and everything in between (sometimes all in the same day). Speaking broadly, temperatures are generally moderate, and morning clouds often burn off later in the day.
Expect more rain when deep in the Columbia River Gorge, though it should remain accessible during the spring. Depending on when in the spring you’re planning your hike, you may encounter snow and slowdowns as elevation increases near Mount Hood. In either case, it’s never a bad idea to check the conditions before you go.
Wherever you’re headed, be sure to bring waterproof boots, several layers of clothes, and a rain-proof jacket (though you may get to take it off as you settle into your groove). Once you’re properly geared up, get ready for a beautiful trek — you’ll enjoy gorgeous wildflowers, stellar bird-watching and breathtaking scenery on these springtime rambles.
Spring Hikes in Portland
Dogwood Trail in Forest Park
- Length: 2.5 miles (4 km ) — and extendable to more
- Distance From Downtown Portland: 5 miles (8 km) northwest
- Difficulty: Moderate
To challenge your legs with elevation gain on big switchbacks, try the Dogwood Trail in Forest Park, Portland’s own urban wilderness. As you trek through the towering evergreens, keep your eyes peeled for wildflowers, including the lovely, delicate trillium. This popular hiking route is also a hit with trail runners. It’s a 2.5-mile (4 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 (12.9 km) Wild Cherry Loop. Access the trailhead from Northwest 53rd Drive off Northwest Cornell Road.
Oak Island Loop Hike
- Length: 2.5 miles (4 km)
- Distance From Downtown Portland: 18 miles (29 km) northwest
- Difficulty: Easy
Oak Island (really a peninsula — don’t be fooled) on Sauvie Island is the perfect place to get your ornithology on. 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 can spot more than 250 species of birds waiting to be discovered, including raptors, woodpeckers, and migrating songbirds. Even though it’s not far from the central city, the vibe out on the island is mellow, and this route tends not to get too crowded in the spring. With plenty of wildlife and almost no elevation gain, making for a fairly easy stroll, it’s also a hit with kids. (Note that this trail opens for the season on April 16.)
Explore the Outdoors
Discover more of Portland's top natural areas at these scenic spots.
Sauvie Island
Sauvie Island, the Manhattan-size isle is one of the largest river islands in the country just north of Portland, is where families can find an entire day’s worth of adventures with swimming, hiking, birding and local farms.
Forest Park
Escape the city without leaving Portland; with 70 miles of trails within Portland city limits, 5,156-acre Forest Park is a popular escape for runners, equestrians and hikers alike and supporting more than 112 bird and 62 mammal species.
What to Do in the Columbia River Gorge
Just 30 miles (48 km) east of Portland sits the Columbia River Gorge — a rugged canyon on the broad Columbia River and home to more than 90 waterfalls, countless hiking trails, plenty of water sports and several charming communities.
Spring Hikes Near Portland
Wildwood Recreation Site
- Length: 0.75 miles (1.2 km) to 4.7 miles (7.6 km)
- Distance From Downtown Portland: 43 miles (69.2 km) southeast
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Located along the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway, just 20 miles (32.2 km) west of the mountain itself, the Wildwood Recreation Site is perfect for those craving a walk on the wild side. This 550-acre (222.6 ha) site is a fantastic place to take in the majesty of Oregon’s tallest peak, as well as a starting point for various beautiful hikes. Beginners can observe the scenic Salmon River along the 0.75-mile (1.2 km) Cascade Streamwatch Trail — also a great option for kids and dogs — 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. Though this site often gets busy in the summer, you may find more of an off-the-beaten-path feeling in the spring, as the crowds often bypass it in favor of hikes nearer Mt. Hood proper.
Catherine Creek
- Length: 0.25 miles (0.4 km) or 1.25 miles (2 km)
- Distance From Downtown Portland: 72 miles (115.9 km) northeast
- Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Catherine Creek in the Columbia Gorge — northeast of Portland and just over the river on the Washington state side — offers various 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 .25-mile (.4 km) stroll to a scenic overlook and a more challenging 1.25-mile (2 km) loop to take in more sights.
Lacamas Park
- Length: 2.2 miles (3.5 km) or 7 miles (11.3 km)
- Distance From Downtown Portland: 22 miles (35.4 km) northeast
- Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
If you haven’t had your fill of flowers at Catherine Creek, visit Lacamas Park in Camas, Washington — a small town northeast of Portland and just west of Vancouver — to take in fields of blooming camas. You may also spy other wildflowers, including snow queen, toothwort and rosy plectritis. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced outdoor adventurer, Lacamas 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 an out-and-back 2.2-mile (3.5 km) boardwalk-lined trail that passes through 125 acres (50.6 ha) of scenery and crosses the Washougal River on a 37-foot-tall (11.3 m) footbridge. For a more challenging hike, try the Lacamas Heritage Trail, a 7-mile (11.3 km) gravel trail that showcases rock formations and seasonal waterfalls. The neighboring Heritage Park provides the perfect spot for a post-hike picnic.
Hiking Around Portland
Locals love hiking, especially at these trails in and around Portland.
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