There are plenty of amazing trails to explore in Portland, Oregon, but it is best to know what you are getting yourself into before you set out on a hike. Choose the wrong path and you could be on the trail for hours or on an extremely intense (and possibly unwanted) strenuous hike! It’s happened to all of us. That’s why we put together the following list of what we consider to be the best hikes in Portland that are all under five miles in length! Now the only question is: which trail will you tackle first?
- Mt. Tabor Blue Trail
Brittany / Flickr This trail is 3.3 miles in length and offers scenic views of the city and the old volcanic cinder cone upon which the park is built. To access the trail, you will begin at the main parking lot and follow the color-coded signs for the Blue Trail. Learn more about the Mt. Tabor Blue Trail, which is considered to be a “moderate” level hike, at AllTrails. Mount Tabor, Mt. Tabor, Portland, OR, USA
- Hoyt Arboretum Loop
Kellie/Google Local Take this scenic loop through the park for a 4.7-mile easy hike that shows you a myriad of species of spectacular northwest trees. One of our favorite hidden gems in the state, Hoyt Arboretum is a wonderful Portland park that feels like a true urban oasis. The arboretum is home to 2,300 tree species, collected from six continents. This place offers much more than just a beautiful landscape - its many volunteers are dedicated to education, conservation, and recreation. Explore the arboretum along its 12 miles of trails, two miles of which are paved and accessible to everyone. Come and revel in the forest landscape along the eponymous and accessible Hoyt Arboretum Loop — you might never want to leave! Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221, USA
- Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge Loop
Anne Grgich / Flickr Take the loop around the wildlife refuge for a stunning view of diverse bird species in the 2.3-mile hike. Learn more about the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge Loop at AllTrails. Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, SE Sellwood Blvd & SE 7th Avenue, 10830 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202, USA
- Wapato Greenway
Mitchell Friedman / Flickr Head out to Sauvie Island for this 2.2-mile trail that gives you plenty of opportunities to spot myriad waterfowl and even an elusive beaver! This short-and-sweet trail is straightforward, flat, and well-marked, making it perfect for families with young children and beginner hikers. However, a mix of large trails along the channel, as well as ones screened from viewing the channel, makes this hike a winner for all ages and abilities! Wapato Greenway, Oregon 97231, USA
- Washington Park Loop
brx0 / Flickr Dirt trails and sidewalks line this 3.9-mile trail that takes you around the expansive park that houses many of the city’s most notable attractions. This Washington Park hike really is one of the best hikes in Portland! Washington Park, 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221, USA
- Powell Butte Loop
Sarah McDevitt / Flickr This 4.3-mile hike takes you along the perimeter of the nature park and up the remains of the extinct volcano that lies underfoot. It’s a hike with a grand payoff: the view from the summit of this 10 million-year-old volcano includes Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, the Clackamas Butte, Mount Scott, the Gresham Buttes to the east, and (on a clear day), Mount Jefferson and Olallie Butte! Powell Butte, OR 97753, USA
- Marquam Nature Park Loop
brx0 / Flickr This is a moderate 3.8-mile hike on the northwest side of town with some stunning views and pure tranquility. Learn more about this scenic hike, as well as other treks within the nature park, at AllTrails. Marquam Nature Park, Main entrance:, SW Marquam St, Portland, OR 97201, USA
- Pittock Mansion Hike
sfgamchick / Flickr Take the five-mile hike from Macleay Park to the Wildwood Trail, and up the climb to the Pittock Mansion, where you will be rewarded with stunning views of the city. Just be warned: the Pittock Mansion is rumored to be one of the most haunted places in the state! Pittock Mansion, 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210, USA
Have you been on any of these hikes in Portland that are under five miles? You may want to consider it because these trails offer BIG views with little effort.
Brittany / Flickr
This trail is 3.3 miles in length and offers scenic views of the city and the old volcanic cinder cone upon which the park is built. To access the trail, you will begin at the main parking lot and follow the color-coded signs for the Blue Trail. Learn more about the Mt. Tabor Blue Trail, which is considered to be a “moderate” level hike, at AllTrails.
Mount Tabor, Mt. Tabor, Portland, OR, USA
Kellie/Google Local
Take this scenic loop through the park for a 4.7-mile easy hike that shows you a myriad of species of spectacular northwest trees. One of our favorite hidden gems in the state, Hoyt Arboretum is a wonderful Portland park that feels like a true urban oasis. The arboretum is home to 2,300 tree species, collected from six continents. This place offers much more than just a beautiful landscape - its many volunteers are dedicated to education, conservation, and recreation. Explore the arboretum along its 12 miles of trails, two miles of which are paved and accessible to everyone. Come and revel in the forest landscape along the eponymous and accessible Hoyt Arboretum Loop — you might never want to leave!
Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221, USA
Anne Grgich / Flickr
Take the loop around the wildlife refuge for a stunning view of diverse bird species in the 2.3-mile hike. Learn more about the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge Loop at AllTrails.
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, SE Sellwood Blvd & SE 7th Avenue, 10830 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202, USA
Mitchell Friedman / Flickr
Head out to Sauvie Island for this 2.2-mile trail that gives you plenty of opportunities to spot myriad waterfowl and even an elusive beaver! This short-and-sweet trail is straightforward, flat, and well-marked, making it perfect for families with young children and beginner hikers. However, a mix of large trails along the channel, as well as ones screened from viewing the channel, makes this hike a winner for all ages and abilities!
Wapato Greenway, Oregon 97231, USA
brx0 / Flickr
Dirt trails and sidewalks line this 3.9-mile trail that takes you around the expansive park that houses many of the city’s most notable attractions. This Washington Park hike really is one of the best hikes in Portland!
Washington Park, 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221, USA
Sarah McDevitt / Flickr
This 4.3-mile hike takes you along the perimeter of the nature park and up the remains of the extinct volcano that lies underfoot. It’s a hike with a grand payoff: the view from the summit of this 10 million-year-old volcano includes Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, the Clackamas Butte, Mount Scott, the Gresham Buttes to the east, and (on a clear day), Mount Jefferson and Olallie Butte!
Powell Butte, OR 97753, USA
This is a moderate 3.8-mile hike on the northwest side of town with some stunning views and pure tranquility. Learn more about this scenic hike, as well as other treks within the nature park, at AllTrails.
Marquam Nature Park, Main entrance:, SW Marquam St, Portland, OR 97201, USA
sfgamchick / Flickr
Take the five-mile hike from Macleay Park to the Wildwood Trail, and up the climb to the Pittock Mansion, where you will be rewarded with stunning views of the city. Just be warned: the Pittock Mansion is rumored to be one of the most haunted places in the state!
Pittock Mansion, 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210, USA
What are your picks for the best hikes in Portland, Oregon? Share them with us in the comments! And if you’re looking to expand your hiking adventures into the rest of the Beaver State, you’ll definitely want to tackle these short-and-sweet scenic trails.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Portland March 20, 2022 Sarah M. What are some other scenic hikes in Portland? We have so many great places to escape into nature in Portland, Oregon, that it can be overwhelming to know where to start! From waterfall hikes to mountain treks, trails through old-growth forests and gorges, there are so many amazing hiking adventures to be had in Oregon. To narrow the field, we’ve picked five hikes near Portland that represent a variety of terrain and skill levels, so you’re all but guaranteed to find a hike that suits your mood and interests! One of our favorites is the Wapato Greenway Trail, an easy 2.2-mile loop that is a great hike for all ages and abilities. Hike along the Multnomah Channel and enjoy intermittent waterfowl sightings in the wetlands of the island. This hike is a bit of a hidden gem and is well-worth seeking out!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Portland
March 20, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some other scenic hikes in Portland? We have so many great places to escape into nature in Portland, Oregon, that it can be overwhelming to know where to start! From waterfall hikes to mountain treks, trails through old-growth forests and gorges, there are so many amazing hiking adventures to be had in Oregon. To narrow the field, we’ve picked five hikes near Portland that represent a variety of terrain and skill levels, so you’re all but guaranteed to find a hike that suits your mood and interests! One of our favorites is the Wapato Greenway Trail, an easy 2.2-mile loop that is a great hike for all ages and abilities. Hike along the Multnomah Channel and enjoy intermittent waterfowl sightings in the wetlands of the island. This hike is a bit of a hidden gem and is well-worth seeking out!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
We have so many great places to escape into nature in Portland, Oregon, that it can be overwhelming to know where to start! From waterfall hikes to mountain treks, trails through old-growth forests and gorges, there are so many amazing hiking adventures to be had in Oregon. To narrow the field, we’ve picked five hikes near Portland that represent a variety of terrain and skill levels, so you’re all but guaranteed to find a hike that suits your mood and interests! One of our favorites is the Wapato Greenway Trail, an easy 2.2-mile loop that is a great hike for all ages and abilities. Hike along the Multnomah Channel and enjoy intermittent waterfowl sightings in the wetlands of the island. This hike is a bit of a hidden gem and is well-worth seeking out!
