America’s Pacific North-West has long been regarded as a great destination for hiking and outdoors recreation and Portland. The largest city in the State of Oregon, is a great place to base yourself if you want to explore.
Situated on the banks of the Columbia River – just a short drive from the famous Waterfall Alley or Corridor – and with the snow-capped Mt. Hood a near-constant presence on the horizon, there’s certainly no shortage of options if you want to hike near Portland.
Portland is located in the far north of Oregon, just below the State Line with Washington and some of our routes are in Washington State. The good news is that the two states share a common permit system for the US Forestry land that many of these hikes sit on – simplifying your planning process.
Our guide to the best hikes close to Portland showcases what we think are some of the most enjoyable hiking trails Portland has to offer. Portland Oregon has hiking trails ranging from short, family-friendly routes to more intense treks and even technical mountaineering – and don’t forget the waterfalls either!
Regardless of your ability level, or whether you have a full day or just a few hours for your outdoors adventure, we’re sure that our guide will help you find the best trails Portland has to offer. Let’s get onto the trails.
Best Waterfall Hikes in Portland Trail Locations Map
We can’t write about hiking in Portland without mentioning waterfalls! The Pacific Northwest gets a lot of rainfall, so jaw-dropping waterfalls are a common sight here. Whilst there’s plenty of waterfalls around Portland in both Oregon and Washington, we should give special attention to the so-called Waterfall Corridor (also sometimes called Waterfall Alley).
This is a stretch of the Columbia River Gorge, roughly an hour East of Downtown Portland along the historic Interstate 84 Highway where you’ll find a high concentration of breath-taking falls including our first route, the iconic and world-famous Multnomah Falls.
Many of the hikes here are short and if you want a longer day out, or to get better value from a day-use permit, it makes sense to attempt a few different hikes on the same day. The Waterfall Corridor is also understandably very popular, and parking lots do fill up, so having a backup route is definitely handy if your first choice is busy.
We’ve included several Waterfall Alley routes below and have also looked further afield to include some other notable waterfall hikes around Portland. Whatever route you choose to hike, we’re sure you’ll be impressed by the waterfalls around Portland!
Use our map below to help you find the starting locations for the trails we’ve outlined in our guide. The numbers used are relational to the numbered hikes below to help planning be easier.
1. Multnomah Falls
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3.9km/2.4mi there and back
Elevation: 521m/1709ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round – though May to September will be particularly busy
AllTrails Map Alternative: Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls – which is named after a local Indigenous Tribe – has got to be one of the most iconic and easily recognized locations, not just in Oregon, but also in the entire United States. If you’re hiking in Portland, or specifically looking for hikes in Portland with waterfalls this should be on your list.
Roughly 35mins (49km/30mi) drive from Downtown Portland, this is one of the best hikes within an hour of Portland. The waterfall plunges 189m/620ft in two steps and the route here starts at the visitor car park, crosses the iconic viewing bridge above the lower falls and then winds its way up to a viewing area at the top of the falls.
Whilst the hike is short, it is steep and crosses uneven terrain. Which is why we rate it as moderate difficulty. The climb is absolutely worth it though, as this is one of the best hikes around Portland.
You won’t be alone on this trail! As the most famous waterfalls near Portland, this is the most-visited natural site in the Pacific Northwest, attracting in excess of two million visitors per year. It’s wise to get to the trail early as parking is limited, and it’ also smart to have a backup route planne din case the parking lot is full.
To control over-crowding, a timed permit system is active between late May and early September. These free permits are available from the Cascade Locks Historical Museum or the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Centre.
You can also get a permit online. Online permits are still free but at the time of writing are subject to a $2 booking fee. As an alternative to driving, the CAT Bus runs a service from Downtown Portland along the Waterfall Alley, including a stop at Multnomah Falls.
Insider tip: Hiking isn’t the only way to see the amazing waterfalls surrounding Portland. There are some incredible tours which will take you to some of the best waterfalls in the area. We’d really recommend this half day tour with GetYourGuide that covers the 5 major waterfalls in the area with a local guide. It’s a great experience!
2. Grotto Falls Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1km there and back
Elevation: 117m ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round, but spring, after snow melt is best to see the Fall’s full flow.
AllTrails Map Alternative: Grotto Falls
The Grotto Falls are located 340km/212mi South from Downtown Portland in the Umpqua National Forest – so it does stretch the definition of falls near Portland. The last section of the drive to the trailhead is on gravel forest roads, and, whilst the going will be slow, it is a spectacular drive and you do not need a 4×4 vehicle.
Whilst many of the other Portland hikes we’ve detailed feature arguably more spectacular waterfalls, the big draw of Grotto Falls is that the trail passes through a natural cavern allowing you to walk behind the 30m/100ft waterfall! Whilst not unique, it certainly makes it one of the more notable waterfall trails in Portland.
If you’re looking for an easy hike Portland has plenty of options and this short trail packs a lot into a short distance. Given the distance from Portland, we’d say this is a great hike to combine with others in the area
Permits or recreation passes are not needed for the Grotto Falls Trail, but if you intend to do this hike in Portland as part of a longer visit to the Umpqua National Forest, it’s worth bearing in mind that other areas of the forest do require a pass. Both day use passes or America the Beautiful Passes are accepted.
3. Trail of Ten Falls
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 11km/7mi circular route
Elevation: 463m/1519ft Ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round
AllTrails Map Alternative: Trail of Ten Falls
If you’re looking for waterfalls near Portland, then The Trail of Ten Falls is a great choice, and we’d also say it’s one of the best day hikes in Portland. As the trail name suggests, this route takes in ten different waterfalls, including four that have naturally formed walkways allowing you to walk behind the falls.
The most famous of these is South Falls, which you’ll encounter very soon into the route if you follow it clockwise from the starting point. A $5 per vehicle fee is chargeable to use the park.
This circular walk is in Silver Falls State Park, roughly 1:20hrs drive (96km/60mi) from Downtown Portland. Of note, the woodland in this park is considered a rain forest – and it’s the only one in Oregon.
The route is 11km/7mi long, winding through lush and spectacular rainforest. We think that his is not just one of the best hikes in Portland with waterfalls, but also an example of the best Portland, Oregon hiking there is, period!
There are options to cut the route shorter if you wish – though you’ll miss out on some waterfalls if you do. It’s also possible to book guided tours from Portland that include portions of this hike, which we’d really recommend!
4. Wahclella Falls via Munra Falls
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.8km/1.7mi there and back
Elevation: 309m/1014ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round
AllTrails Map Alternative: Wahclella Falls Trail
There’s no shortage of great hiking in Portland Oregon. Head east from the city along the Columbia River and you’ll find yourself in the so-called ‘Waterfall Alley’. This is one of our favorite easy hikes near Portland.
Ultimately, this short route takes you to Wahclella Falls, but it also passes Munra falls along the way. In fact, the trail crosses a bridge so close to Munra Falls that you can, at times, reach out and touch the cascading water!
This Portland hike climbs gently through dense forest on a well-marked, but at times uneven trail (the going is fairly typical of the trails Portland has to offer). The two waterfalls along this route are genuinely spectacular!
Given that you can reach the trailhead in around 40mins (64km/40mi) from downtown Portland, we’d rate this as one of the best, and most easily accessible short hikes in Portland. We think this should be high on your list.
A day-use or Annual Northwest Forest Pass must be displayed in your vehicle if you park at the trailhead. You can also purchase a permit at the trailhead by scanning a QR code – note that cash is not accepted. Parking is limited at the trailhead, so it’s wise to aim to arrive early and to have a backup route planned in case the parking lot is full.
5. Bridal Veil Falls
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1km/0.6mi
Elevation: 88m/289ft
When to do it: Year-round
AllTrails Map Alternative: Bridal Veil Falls Trail
Bridal Veil Falls should be on anybody’s list of the best hikes near Portland OR. It’s also definitely worth considering if you are looking for short hikes close to Portland as the trailhead can be reached in around 30mins (45km/28mi) driving from Downtown.
The short and generally well-surfaced path up to the waterfall is typical of hikes near Portland Oregon. If you are familiar with other routes along the Columbia Gorge or Waterfall Alley you’ll be familiar with the type of woodland that makes up the setting for this walk.
Some hikers will surely be dismissive of this route as it’s very short, however, we think the Bridal Veil double falls are well-worth seeing and, if you want a more intensive day of hiking, there are plenty of other routes in the same area as this. For example, The Angel’s Rest hike is detailed elsewhere in this guide and the trailhead for that is particularly close-by.
Much of the hiking in Portland Oregon is on land that requires some sort of access permit. However, the good news about this route is that whilst it is in a State Park, no permits are required – that certainly simplifies visiting.
6. Falls Creek Falls
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.6km/4.1mi circular route
Elevation: 318m/1043ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round, but snow fall can cause access to the trail head to be restricted, so March to November is recommended.
AllTrails Map Alternative: Falls Creek Lower Falls Loop
As we’ve seen elsewhere in this guide, some of the best hiking trails near Portland Oregon are just over the State line in Washington. This Falls Creek Falls route is in that category and the trailhead is roughly 1:25hrs (107km/67mi) from Downtown Portland in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
If you’re looking for waterfall hiking around Portland Oregon, then this route should be on your list. The triple waterfall of Falls Creek Falls are around 102m/335ft tall – making it one of the tallest waterfalls in Southern Washington and this route crosses a bridge which provides excellent views of them.
We think this is one of the best Portland hikes and the slightly longer route follows a well-marked but at times uneven trail. It’s also possible to make this route shorter by just going out and back on the lower section of the loop.
In common with many hikes around Portland, you must display a day-use or Annual Northwest Forest Pass in your vehicle if you park at the trailhead.
Insider tip: If you want to see the falls near Portland from a completely different perspective, we’d really recommend you take a helicopter tour. This Columbia Gorge Flight Tour is really reasonably priced and a must do experience. It’s well worth it!
7. Horsetail and Ponytail Falls
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 1.5km/1mi there and back
Elevation: 129m/423ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round
AllTrails Map Alternative: Horsetail Falls and Ponytail Falls
Whilst Oregon and the Pacific Northwest in general have plenty to offer those looking for a challenging hike, there’s also plenty of excellent moderate hikes near Portland. This is one of the reasons it’s a great area to hike!
This trail, which takes in two waterfalls in a 1.5km/1mi round trip is one such example and we think it’s one of the best hikes in Oregon near Portland. You won’t regret hiking this trail.
What we particularly like is that aside from the waterfalls, the trail also gives some great views out over the Columbia River Gorge, framed by the type of woodland that’s typical of hiking in Portland Oregon. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, but the surface can be a little uneven at times. And, as a bonus, you can actually walk behind Ponytail Falls!
With the trailhead situated just 42 mins drive (58km/36mi) from Downtown, we think this is one of the best hikes in Portland Oregon if you either was a quick taster of the splendor of the Columbia River Gorge’s Waterfall Corridor or if you want to bring along young (or older!) ones who can’t walk quite so far.
It’s also a great hike to include in a longer day visit to Waterfall Corridor. Finally, another plus point, at the time of writing, no permits are needed to hike the trail or to park at the trailhead.
The Best Portland Hikes Trail Locations Map
Waterfalls may be synonymous with hiking around Portland, but they are not the only reason to hike in the area! The densely forested landscape around Portland is also home to some spectacular (and in some cases, very steep) hills and look-out points. These may be challenging to hike, but you’ll be rewarded with some truly stunning views.
Our selection of routes below really just scratches the surface as there is a lifetime or more of hiking in the area of Oregon and Washington around Portland! Use the map below to help you find the approximate start locations for the trails we’ve listed.
1. Columbia River Gorge – Angle’s Rest
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Distance: 7.4km/4.6mi there and back
Elevation: 445m/1460ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round
AllTrails Map Alternative: Angel’s Rest
We think this route offers some of the best hiking near Portland Oregon. The start of this hike – the Angel’s Rest Trailhead – is just 30mins drive (44km/27.5mi) from Downtown Portland. This route is widely regarded as one of the best hikes in Portland and, as such, the trail can get busy.
Parking at the trailhead can also fill up quickly – especially in Summer. We’ve heard anecdotally that thieves regularly target the trailhead car park, so be sure not to leave anything on show in your car whilst hiking this route!
It’s also possible to reach the trailhead by shuttle bus services which operate between Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) and Labour Day (the first Monday in September). There are two options: The Sasquatch Shuttle and the Waterfall Trolley.
The trail – which we’d consider moderate to challenging, rapidly climbs through woodland and the rewards is an incredible panoramic view over the Columbia River Gorge. The trail is steep and uneven in places and there are some sharp and sheer drop-offs along the way.
Good hiking footwear is a must for this hike – and is also recommended for most Portland hiking. Our guide to the best hiking boots covers a whole range of options for every budget.
Whilst we haven’t included this in our Portland Waterfall Hikes section, it’s worth noting that this trail passes both the Coopey and Upper Coopey Falls – there’s a very short spur trail to reach the Coopey Falls. Of all the hiking trails Portland has to offer, this one packs in a lot of variety.
2. Crater Lake Trail
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 18.7km/11.6mi there and back
Elevation: 955m/3133ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round, but snow can make the route very challenging. May to September is therefore recommended.
AllTrails Map Alternative: Crater Lake
Contrary to what the trail’s name suggests, this hike is not in Crater Lake National Park, but instead takes you a different smaller, but none the less spectacular Crater Lake in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The start of this demanding hike is close to six hours drive (550km/342mi) from Downtown Portland, so it better to classify this with Oregon trails.
It’s also a long, demanding hike with a good deal of ascent – taking you above 2300m/7545ft. So you’ll certainly feel the air thinning!
If you are looking for demanding day hikes near Portland, it’s worth considering this route. Despite its distance from the city, it rewards hikers with some of the most spectacular Portland hiking scenery there is.
We don’t think that this trail can be done in a day if you’re starting in Portland. Hikers will instead likely want to travel down at least the day before and start this trail early the following day as it will take most hikers a full day to complete this.
A self-issued permit – available at the trailhead – is needed to enter the Eagle Cap Wilderness. One permit is needed per group and there is no fee for the permit.
This is one of the most spectacular Portland Oregon hikes in our guide. It’s tough, and best suited for hikers with wilderness experience, but the spectacular alpine landscape and sense of solitude you can experience on this route truly do reward the effort this hike demands.
3. Columbia River Gorge - Beacon Rock
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 2.7km-1.6mi there and back
Elevation: 125m/410ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round
AllTrails Map Alternative: Beacon Rock
The Beacon Rock trail is one of our favorite Portland area hikes and a great choice if you’re looking for hikes within an hour of Portland. The Beacon Rock trailhead – where this route starts – is 50mins (68km/42.5mi) from downtown Portland and part of Beacon Rock State Park – which is actually not in Oregon and just over the state line in Washington.
A $9.99 daily or $31.99 annual Washington Discover Pass needs to be displayed in your vehicle when parking in the State Park. Unfortunately, the America the Beautiful Pass is not accepted.
Beacon rock itself towers above the Columbia River Gorge and, as you might expect, there are some of the most stunning panoramic views of all the hikes Portland has to offer once you emerge from above the trees! Higher up, there are railings along the trail, but there are all steep drop-offs, and this trail may not be a good choice if you don’t have a good head for heights.
In many ways, this trail offers a similar proposition to the Angel’s Rest trail elsewhere in this article – and another one of our favorite hikes around Portland, Oregon – but it’s situated on the opposite side of the Columbia River so the views are quite different. We think that both are well worth doing if you want to experience stunning views on Portland’s hiking trails.
This Beacon Rock hike is relatively short, and even taking it easy, we think that many hikers will complete this fairly quickly. If you’d like to spend some more time in the area – and get some more value out of your Discover Pass – then we’d suggest attempting the nearby Hamilton Mountain trail (below) on the same visit.
4. Hamilton Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Distance: 11.5km/7mi – but can easily be shortened
Elevation: 658m/2158ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round
AllTrails Map Alternative: Hamilton Mountain and Rodney Falls
Some of the best hiking near Portland is not in Oregon, but just over the state line in Washington. None the less, for this hike, Portland is still a great base as it is under an hour from the trailhead.
This Hamilton Mountain trail, in Beacon Rock State Park WA is one of the best day hikes near Portland. We’ve presented a long version of the route here, but this can easily be shortened if you want to – for example, hiking up to the summit of Hamilton Mountain and turning back is a great variant if you’re tight on time.
You’ll need a $9.99 daily or $31.99 annual Washington Discover Pass for this hike. We think it’s smart to tackle this route on the same day as the Beacon Rock route (see above) as these two hiking trails near Portland are both in the same State Park and you can use the same pass for both parking areas.
We think this is one of the best hikes near Portland, Oregon. Whilst it’s challenging, you’ll be rewarded with stunning, expansive views of the Columbia River Gorge. The trail also has short detours to two waterfalls: Rodney Falls and Hardy Falls.
5. Mt. Hood from Timberline Lodge
Difficulty: Challenging – mountaineering experience and appropriate equipment are essential
Distance: 10.6km/6.6mi there and back
Elevation: 1610m/5282ft ascent and descent
When to do it: April to October recommended
AllTrails Map Alternative: Mt. Hood from Timberline
At 3429m/11249ft, Mt. Hood is the highest peak in Oregon and it dominates the landscape around Portland. It is an active volcano (if you want to get technical, it’s a stratovolcano, similar to Mt. Shasta in Northern California).
It also hosts several glaciers, though in recent years, and due to climate breakdown, all of the mountain’s glaciers have either stopped flowing, seriously receded or vanished entirely.
Understandably, Mt Hood is an attractive goal for many hikers and is one of the most iconic Oregon hikes near Portland. We have presented the popular Timberline route above. You might recognize the Timberline Lodge near the trailhead as the location from Stanley Kubrick’s movie ‘The Shining’.
However, before you set out to summit Mt. Hood, you should know that this is a demanding mountaineering route at considerable altitude. You will absolutely need previous mountaineering and glacier-crossing experience. You will also need appropriate gear including crampons, an ice axe, helmet and appropriate clothing and boots.
This is a challenging route, and you often hear sections described as ‘sketchy’ – even by experienced mountaineers. There is a year-round risk of avalanche, rock slides, crevasses and nausea and sickness from volcanic gasses.
Further more, there is no formal trail to the summit of Mt. Hood. So the route below should be taken as a guide only and mountaineers should use their judgement to choose the best line of ascent.
Despite all of the above, this challenging hike, just 1:15hrs (92.5km/57.5mi) from Downtown is without a doubt not just one of the best hiking trails in Portland Oregon but also one of the most rewarding routes in the Pacific Northwest. It will reward those with the skill, fitness and experience to complete it safely with memories that will last a lifetime.
Insider tip: If you’re looking for something a little different, but still want to experience Mt. Hood, we’d really recommend this guided tour with a local guide who will take you to various scenic viewpoints, including Columbia River Gorge and the Timberline Lodge. It’s a great way to pack a lot of big views into a day!
6. Dog Mountain
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 10.7km/6.6mi there and back
Elevation: 913m/2995ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round, but March to November recommended
AllTrails Map Alternative: Dog Mountain Trail
Dog Mountain regularly shows up on lists of the best hikes near Portland and it’s not hard to see why! This is a challenging route, climbing steeply and relentlessly from the floor of the Columbia Gorge up through dense woodland – typical of the hiking Portland and the surrounding area has to offer – before emerging out to stunning views.
We’d agree that this is one of the best hikes near Portland OR and, whilst it is strenuous, the panoramic views you will be rewarded with at both the dog Mountain Summit and the excellently named Puppy Dog Viewpoint make the hike well-worth the effort.
The route presented here carries on past the summit to take in another scenic overlook. Which is particularly spectacular during wildflower season.
This last section can always be cut if you want a shorter route. This route bears left at a fork early on. This is considered a more strenuous route to the summit, and you can make the ascent a little easier by taking the right-hand fork instead.
Many of the best hikes near Portland Oregon are actually in Washington, and this is the case here. The trailhead for this route is approx. 1hr (89.5km/55.6mi) drive from Downtown Portland. Like many of the hikes in Portland Oregon, a day-use or Annual Northwest Forest Pass must be displayed in your vehicle if you park at the trailhead.
A permit is also needed to hike the trail on Weekends and on Memorial Day during wildflower season (Dates change each year, but it’s broadly from mid-April to mid-June). You can find more info on the permits on the USDA website. Note that CAT Bus operate the Dog Mountain Shuttle between late-April and mid-June and all passengers on this service receive the appropriate permit for the trail.
Essentials for Hikes Near Portland, Oregon
- A trail maps and know how to read it (and a compass). This is essential for any hike. If you are using maps on your phone, be sure you can download the map and access it without cell signal. OutdoorActive and AllTrails are our preferred digital mapping solutions and both will run on Apple and Android phones and support offline maps. A portable battery charger is also a useful accessory to bring along for long or overnight hikes to keep your device running. If you’d rather use a printed map then also be sure to check out our guide to the best hiking compasses.
- Water Bottle. Hiking is physically demanding, so it’s essential to keep hydrated. The ever-popular Nalgene bottle is a great way to carry your water, but it’s also worth investigating hydration bladders as an alternative. Insulated bottles like those made by Hydro Flask are also a great option if you want to keep your water cold or bring a warm drink with you on a hike. We personally prefer these!
- Waterproof coat. It can rain heavily in Portland, so a waterproof coat is a must! Our guide to the best waterproof rain jackets lists our top choices for these.
- Waterproof trousers. Just as important as a waterproof coat. Our guide to the best waterproof rain pants lists some of the best options on the market. You don’t need to wear these all the time, as many are designed to be put on quickly over your regular trousers without having to take your shoes or boots off.
- Good hiking shoes or boots. This is perhaps the single most important piece of equipment you can own for any hike! Our extensive guides to the best hiking shoes, best hiking boots and best waterproof hiking shoes are great places to compare the various options that are available. Remember that it can get wet around Portland, so waterproof footwear is a smart idea for hiking here.
- Hiking Poles. Hiking poles are great not just for helping you to keep your balance and when crossing streams but also for reducing fatigue on your knee joints whilst walking. Our guide to the best trekking poles rounds up our favorite choices for these products.
- Day pack. A comfortable and well-fitting day pack is vital for carrying the other items on this list. We have a guide to the best hiking daypacks listing some of our favorite options. If you are planning an overnight trip, or carrying more gear, you might also be interested in our guide to the best waterproof hiking backpacks.
- Snacks. You need to keep your energy levels up when hiking, so snacks are vital. For shorter hikes, pre-packed energy bars are a great choice. For longer hikes and overnight trips, our guide to the best freeze-dried meals is worth checking out.
- Sun cream. People often associate the Pacific Northwest with fog and rain, but this is far from the only weather the area experiences and there can be intense sunshine in the area year-round. Coupled with the fact that some of the hikes in our guide are at altitude, it therefore makes sense to carry high factor sun-block, and make sure you use it, even if you don’t feel the warmth of the Sun!
- Sunglasses. When the sun comes out in the Pacific Northwest, you can expect bright, direct sunlight. It can certainly be beautiful, but it can also be dazzling, so sunglasses should be a year-round essential in your hiking pack. Whilst they are not cheap, we particularly like the Julbo Explorer 2.0 Sunglasses – especially with the ‘Cameleon’ photochromic lenses – perfect for anything from a walk in the hills on a bright day to the intense glare you encounter crossing glaciers.
- Binoculars. The trails around Portland are a great place for wildlife spotting, and there’s also plenty of expansive panoramic vistas to discover, so binoculars are a great addition to your pack. 8×42 is generally considered a good combination of magnification and brightness for general purpose binoculars whilst 10×42 gives a bit more magnification and is a good choice for spotting small birds.
- Permits. Many of the routes in this guide require permits. If you don’t display the appropriate permit in your parked vehicle when required, or if you don’t have the necessary permit for a trail if stopped by a Ranger, you risk receiving a citation and fine. Not what you want on what should be an enjoyable day out! The Northwest Forest Pass – available either as day-use or Annual version – is probably the most common permit needed for the trails in our guide, and the America The Beautiful Interagency Pass is also useful. However, some trails have other requirements, so be sure to check! Some hikers feel very negatively about day access fees and paid permits and whilst it’s easy to understand their frustration, it’s worth remembering that the money earned through permits is re-invested into the upkeep and maintenance of the trails we hike.
FAQs About Hikes Close to Portland
The Pacific Northwest is a hiker’s paradise, but the area has so much to offer that it can seem daunting if you are either new to hiking or just visiting for a short time. The great news is that there’s no need to have a fear of missing out, and the area around Portland has spectacular trails suited for hikers of all ability levels and accessible year-round. We’ve compiled a list of FAQs below to help make choosing a hiking route in the Portland area even easier.
What Are the Best Hiking Trails Near Portland?
This is a wide-reaching question, and we think it would be near-impossible to come up with a definitive answer! Multnomah Falls is probably the most famous attraction in the area, and it is well worth seeing, but it does get very busy, which some will certainly not like!
Heading to some of the less famous trails, like the Crater Lake route detailed above, you can have more of an experience of solitude in the area. Some will certainly value above seeing a famous location.
What are the best beginner-friendly hiking trails?
It’s difficult to pin down a single route or routes here, but we would recommend exploring the Columbia River Gorge. Many of the trails here are short, on well-marked paths and pack in a lot of great views.
The real beauty of this area is that there’s a large number of trails in very close proximity, so if you feel like you want more after completing a hike, you can just move on to another trail. When you’re ready to call it a day, it’s just a short drive back to Portland.
Where can I find trails with scenic views close in Oregon?
The best bet is to head East from Portland into the Columbia River Gorge and along the Waterfall Corridor. There’s plenty of hikes here with dramatic views out over the surrounding landscape, many of which also include truly awe-inspiring waterfalls. The great news is that much of this is reachable with roughly one hour of driving from Downtown Portland.
Are there any family-friendly hiking trails?
Absolutely! Many of the trails in this guide are relatively short and suited for families with young children. Remember though, that there can be hazards for children on even the most well-groomed trail and around Portland, that can mean steep drop-offs and fast-flowing water, so always keep an eye on the little ones.
Which waterfall hikes in Oregon are closest to Portland?
There are some waterfalls within the city limits of Portland, but really, the answer here is the so-called Waterfall Corridor or Waterfall Alley, about an hour’s drive East of Portland along the I84. This is where you’ll find the iconic Multnomah, Horsetail and Bridal Veil Falls amongst many others.
Are dogs allowed on hiking trails?
It’s tough to give a definitive answer here. As a very general rule, yes, dogs are allowed on trails in Oregon and Washington provided they are on a leash. However, as different areas are controlled by different administrative bodies, it’s always worth checking in advance.
What is the best time of year to hike close to Portland?
You can hike around Portland year-round, and every one of the trails we’ve written about in our guide can, in theory, be tackled at any time of year. However, March to November is generally considered the best time for hiking and, of course, the Pacific Northwest is famous for it’s display of Fall or Autumn colors – so that’s worth keeping in mind too.
Whilst Portland itself seldom gets significant snowfall, the higher areas around the city do. Indeed, there’s year-round snow cover on Mt. Hood which is under two hours drive from Portland. If you are visiting during winter and planning to head into the higher altitude back country, it’s worth keeping an eye on the snow forecast.
Are there any wheelchair-accessible trails?
The trails in our guide cannot be considered truly wheelchair accessible – though sections of many are certainly accessible by wheelchair. However, it’s worth noting that some of the State Parks and many of the parks in the city limits do have accessible trails, many of which give fantastic views of the surrounding landscape.
How long does it typically take to hike the Multnomah Falls Trail?
It’s generally accepted that you should allow 1:30hrs to hike Multnomah Falls. However, this time really varies depending on the speed at which you hike, your need to take breaks and also if you tend to make a lot of photo stops. The trail is relatively short and some hikers will complete it very quickly, but it could also easily take several hours if you are walking slowly and stopping regularly for photos.
Is there a fee to access hiking trails around Portland?
This isn’t a straight answer. Some trials are completely free to use, but others – especially so if they lie in a State Park or on US Forestry Service Land will require a day-use or annual permit to be purchased in order to use them.
Some of the most popular trails such as Multnomah Falls and Dog Mountain also require a trail permit either year round or during parts of the year. These are issued to control visitor numbers.
Different controlling bodies have different regulations, so it’s always wise to check in advance if a permit is required. We’ve mentioned where permits are required as necessary in this guide, however it’s worth noting that permit requirements can change on short notice, so it’s always smart to check in advance to see if a permit is required.
What are the most popular trails near Portland during the Fall season?
The Deciduous trees that are abundant in the forests around Portland transform spectacularly during the Fall season as they prepare to shed their leaves. Basically, any trail that will take you through wooded areas is a good opportunity to see some Fall color!
The Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park is a great trail to experience in Fall. There are also some city parks, not included as routes in this guide, such as the Hoyt Arboretum and Portland Japanese Garden – both within walking distance of Downtown Portland – which offer spectacular displays of Fall colors.
Are there any hiking trails close to Portland with picnic areas?
There absolutely are! Whilst there aren’t picnic areas on every trail, many of the routes in this guide including Multnomah Falls, Horsetail Falls, the Trail of Ten Falls and Dog Mountain have picnic benches at or near the trailhead.
Of course, these are often close to car parks or busy roads so if you don’t mind sitting on rocks or on the ground, there are areas along most trails where you can have a picnic without blocking the trial for other hikers. If you do have a picnic along the trial, remember to pack-out your trash!
What is the best time of year to go on waterfall hikes in Oregon?
Oregon offers great hiking year-round, and the waterfall hikes will be rewarding at any time. However, if you want to see waterfalls at their fullest flow, Spring and Fall (Autumn) are generally the best seasons. We’d go one step further and say that Fall would be our preferred season, as you will also be treated to a fantastic display of colors in the trees.
How long does it typically take to hike the Trail of Ten Falls?
It’s generally accepted that it takes around four hours to hike the Trail of Ten Falls. However, you need to consider factors like how quickly you walk, how often you like to stop for breaks and how many photos you tend to take on hikes too. If you like to take your time, you could easily spend a lot longer than four hours on this trail!
Can you swim at any waterfalls along Oregon hiking trails?
It’s difficult to give a clear yes or no answer here as different trails in Oregon are administered by different bodies who each have different regulations. Whilst you should always check signage at the trailhead and at any info points along the trail, it is possible to swim at some of the waterfalls. Remember, though, that waterfalls can be dangerous locations for swimming, so always exercise care and common sense when entering the water.
Are there multi-waterfall hikes in Oregon?
Absolutely! Several of the routes in our guide include multiple waterfalls. The Tail of Ten Falls in our guide above is probably the best example here and it’s situated in Silver Falls State Park roughly 1:20hrs drive from downtown Portland. It’s also possible to combine several of the generally short trails in the Waterfall Corridor close to Portland into a single day of hiking.
What is the famous mountain in Portland?
Mount Hood is the tallest mountain in Oregon at 3429m/11249ft and this still-active volcano with its year-round snow cover is a constant companion in the background of many hikes in the area.
What 3 mountains can you see in Portland?
You can see plenty of mountains from Portland, but the three big peaks are Mt. Hood (3429m/11249ft), Mt. Saint Helens (2549m/8363ft) and Mt. Adams (3743m/12280ft). Of these, only Mt. Hood is in Oregon – the other two are in Washington. All three are also active volcanos.
Can a beginner climb Mount Hood?
No! Mount Hood is a demanding, technical mountaineering route at considerable altitude. If you are not experienced with glacier crossing, traversing technical terrain and in possession of excellent fitness and the correct equipment, then attempting the trail could prove fatal!
Guided ascents are possible, but again, these are still best suited to those with great fitness and previous altitude and mountaineering experience. It should be viewed as a serious red flag if any guide claims otherwise!
Enjoy Exploring the Hiking Trails and Waterfalls Near Portland, Oregon
The Pacific Northwest is well known for its incredible array of hiking routes and Portland is an excellent base from which to explore it. Many will associate the area with long-distance and incredibly challenging routes.
Whilst there are plenty of these, and experienced hikers looking for a challenge will not go wanting, the area also offers hikes well-suited to all levels of ability. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a short, family-friendly stroll, or intensive, technical mountaineering, you’ll find routes to suit you around Portland.
What we particularly like is that many of the shorter routes are not a compromise and pack in dramatic vistas and jaw-dropping waterfalls into very accessible packages. Portland is a great destination for year-round hiking and there are enough routes here to last many lifetimes of exploration.
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