Ridge Trail

Portland, Oregon

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Details

Distance

3.5 miles

Elevation Gain

600 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Alex Kocher

It's an easy hike through the forest with a vista of the Saint Johns bridge - on clear days you can see Mt. Saint Helens and Mt. Adams.Minutes away from most of Portland.

Big ferns, big trees and views of the St. John's bridge.

Beta:On NW Bridge Ave there is a set of stairs just south of the St. John's Bridge entrance. Signs are marked for the Ridge Trailhead. Follow the trail up the spine of the hillside and look down both sides until you meet a wider forest road. This is the trail that you return on, Lief Erikson Dr.

Continue on Ridge Trail across the forest road. Follow this until its peak where it meets the Wildwood Trail. Head North until Wildwood Trail connects with Hardesty and turn East.

Hardesty leads into Lief Erikson Dr.

*Dog friendly, if they're friendly

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Features

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Family Friendly

Food Nearby

Forest

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Photograph the St. John's Bridge

To begin, park on North Pittsburg Ave and walk down to the river. Then, turn left and walk down the short less than a quarter mile until you see a spot where the beach is bigger than in other areas. This is an extremely good place to take photographs of the bridge, especially at night. Feel free to go further down the shore, or even go the other way. Return to your car the same way that you came.

Explore Cathedral Park

Located right underneath the St Johns Bridge, Cathedral Park is hard to miss. It was given its name due to the Gothic looking arches that sit above the park.This is one of my personal favorite places to photograph especially if you enjoy photographing bridges. This park can be crowded or have events so just be aware of others when you are there.

Hiking the Ridge Trail in Forest Park

This is a great option for a quick hike when you don't have time to get out of the city but need to satisfy your craving to get outside and escape the noise of bustling Portland. Follow Firelane 7 from the Springville Trailhead up towards Leif Erickson Drive and the Ridge Trail. There are signs and maps throughout the park that provide you with plenty of information to create a loop for yoursel...

Run the Maple Trail Loop

The Maple Trail loop lies in the heart of Portland’s Forest Park, at 5,100 wooded acres, it’s the largest forested natural area within city limits in the United States. It’s packed with tons of natural variety as it winds through the park’s most heavily forested canyons. You’ll be amazed at how scenic this run is for being so close to the city.The trail alternates between sunshine and shaded fo...

Run the Saltzman Road Trail

This trail is an easy out and back from either the west or east side of Forest Park. The east trailhead is off NW Skyline Blvd, on Saltzman Road, which is a dirt/gravel road like the trail. You'll park near the gates where there aren't No Parking signs up (the land around the trail at this point is privately owned so respect the signs). If you start at the east side, you'll park at the Lower Sa...

Leif Erikson Drive to Saltzman Road

Leif Erikson Drive is a wide dirt road running through the heart of Forest Park that is closed to motorized vehicles…making it a magnet for those looking to add some relatively easy and scenic distance to their workouts. The road itself is nicely graded and well maintained. It has relatively good drainage, so it’s a good go-to destination if you’re looking for a more scenic run during wet weat...