Molly Woodstock
Molly Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More
Winter Hikes in and Near Portland
It’s well worth braving the elements for these beautiful walks.
Molly Woodstock
Molly Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More
In Portland, hiking isn’t an occasional summer activity — it’s a way of life. On any given winter weekend, thousands of locals lace up their waterproof hiking boots, zip rain jackets over their down vests and hit the trails. Ready to join them? These Portland-area paths are perfect for all-weather adventures.
In Portland
Hoyt Arboretum
Home to more than 1,000 tree and shrub species (more than any other arboretum in America), Hoyt Arboretum sits next to Washington Park, only 2 miles (3.2 km) west of downtown, and is easily accessible by bus or light rail. As you stroll along 12 miles (19.3 km) of hiking trails, look for seasonal highlights like evergreen holly, corkscrew hazel, blooming wintersweet and budding magnolias. Stop inside the arboretum’s visitor center for free maps and guides to all the glorious flora.
Macleay Park
This is Portland, so, naturally, you can take public transit straight to a trailhead! Part of Northwest Portland’s sprawling, 5,100-acre (2,064-hectare) Forest Park, this lush woodland area is open year-round. Hike from Lower Macleay, passing a unique WPA-era structure (known to locals as the “Witch’s Castle”) and the Portland Audubon Society, to century-old Pittock Mansion for panoramic views of the city and a fascinating local history lesson. Don’t expect a leisurely stroll — the path climbs 600 feet (138 m) to the top.
Mt. Tabor Park
On sunny winter afternoons, legions of locals stretch their legs at Mt. Tabor Park in residential Southeast Portland. An extinct volcano dotted with open-air reservoirs, the park offers a number of wide, winding trails to the summit and two playgrounds where little ones can burn off any extra energy. Looking to burn a few extra calories yourself? The series of stairs found at the S.E. 69th & Yamhill entrance are better than a StairMaster.
Where to go
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.
Washington Park
Beyond big trees and picnic tables, Washington Park offers a zoo, two museums, gardens and more.
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.
Near Portland
Multnomah Falls
Know Before You Go
Editor’s note: Multnomah Falls is an extremely popular attraction. For an optimal experience, take a car-free trip there and go on a weekday when the site is less popular, along with checking out the many other beautiful waterfalls near Portland.
Winter is a wonderful time to visit Oregon’s highest falls, located 30 miles (48 km) from Portland and popular year-round. A short climb to the Benson Bridge awards visitors with picture-perfect views of the 620-foot (189 m) Multnomah Falls, while more ambitious trekkers can climb all the way to the top. Dress warmly for the waterfall’s spray and cross your fingers for a cold day — the falls are even more beautiful when they’re partially frozen!
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
A quick 25-minute drive from downtown delivers adventurers to the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, a 1,856-acre (751 ha) wetlands sanctuary southwest of Portland. A 3.7-mile (6 km) graded gravel trail entices birdwatchers to brave the elements. During winter months, up to 50,000 waterfowl can be spotted on a single day.
Salmon River Trail
Experienced hikers highly recommend the Mount Hood National Forest’s Salmon River Trail, about an hour east of Portland, where majestic old growth forests transform into a winter wonderland. Frozen ferns, icy eddies and towering Douglas firs provide spectacular scenery. Multiple access points allow for hikes as short as 1 mile (1.6 km) or as long as 8 (12.9 km). Pro tip: If you’re planning a longer hike, bring shoe chains or spikes to prevent any slips.
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…