More Parks and Trails in Portland
- Cannon Beach
- Portland Parks and Recreation
- Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
- Portland Citywide & Neighborhood Bike Maps
Browse All Portland Resources & Events
Resource Details Below
Covering over 5,000 acres, Forest Park is the nation's premier urban forest. Situated in close proximity to downtown Portland, the Park provides the hushed and peaceful environment of a varied and evolving forest ecosystem. Over 70 miles of trails and firelanes provide opportunities for recreation, education and enjoyment of the park's natural beauty.
Forest Park appeals to hikers, runners, bicyclists, and others who enjoy recreating in a relatively undisturbed natural setting, just minutes from the urban realm. The Wildwood Trail, recognized as a National Recreational Trail, begins in Hoyt Arboretum and traverses the entire length of Forest Park to its terminus at Newberry Road.
Forest Park also provides an excellent opportunity to view the native flora and fauna of the Pacific Northwest in their natural habitat. Despite rapid growth in the Portland area, Forest Park boasts an incredible diversity of wildlife. Several hundred native species of plants, birds and mammal species can still be found within Forest Park.
Comments From Other Members:
Loooove it here. I run/walk almost everyday in the area. Very well maintained!
There is a great set of maps highlighting ten different hikes (most with variations) put out by the Forest Park Conservatory, it can be bought at REI and probably other places like Powell's etc.
The hikes are great and are generally on less travelled trails, most are fairly long, there's only a couple of variations under 5 miles, it's a great way to tour this treasure!
The hikes are great and are generally on less travelled trails, most are fairly long, there's only a couple of variations under 5 miles, it's a great way to tour this treasure!
Another great inlet to the trails for runners, hikers, and bikers alike, is the Leif Erickson Trail. You'll head to NW Thurman St. off of NW 23rd and then follow Thurman across a bridge and up into the West Hills. Leif Erickson is at the very top of the hill. There is parking along the road; it does get busy during the weekends, so be prepared to park a few blocks away from the trailhead. Many happy trails!
one of my favorite places to take my kids (when they would still go somewhere with me LOL) we'd take the Tr-Met (didn't have a car) and hike in--then do role playing (like knights and castle stuff) We definitely got some looks on the bus with the gear we'd carry! But those are wonderful memories!
A really pleasant short hike is the Lower Macleay Trail. It's shady, and follows a stream. If you start at Macleay Park (near NW Thurman and NW 29th), and follow the trail, you end up at the Audubon Society (turn right when you reach the big road, and you'll see the parking lot), which has it's own set of public trails, and an interesting taxidermy collection.
A warning though, the section right near the end is steep and can be slippery/muddy when it's wet.
A warning though, the section right near the end is steep and can be slippery/muddy when it's wet.
It's truly amazing that we have a resouce like this right within city limits! One fun program I tried was to hike the whole length of the Wildwood Trail (30 miles) over the course of several weekend trips. It was manageable and felt like a real accomplishment!
