Washington Park to Council Crest Trail

Take the train to Washington Park and hike through Hoyt Arboretum. This will bypass a few miles of Wildwood Trail, but you won't miss much. In the arboretum, the trail twists and turns through the trees, will smaller trails jutting off to the sides, through other groups of trees (each trail is aptly named for the type of respective tree). Continue on Wildwood and eventually, you will cross Bur...

Founded in 1928 to conserve endangered species and educate visitors, Hoyt Arboretum is a 190-acre park in the forest above Portland's NW area. It's only 15 minutes from downtown! There are 12+ miles of trails to explore, my favorite is the Redwood Trail that takes you through towering redwoods and to the Redwood Deck -- a perfect place to sit and smell the trees and drink morning coffee. Here...

While the Portland Japanese Garden is a popular place for tourists, it's also a favorite for Portland residents as it's located right in Washington Park close to trails and across from the Rose Garden. The Japanese Garden also just unveiled its Cultural Crossing expansion in April 2017, which included 3.4 more acres to the garden and modern buildings designed by famous architect Kengo Kuma. The...

The International Rose Garden located in Washington Park near downtown Portland is a must stop on your visit to the Rose City. The City of Roses, as Portland is known, won't let you down. Portland is host to the largest Rose Test Garden in the U.S. The 5 acre park, with over 7,000 rose bushes, and 500 different varieties has been impressing visitors since 1917. In the middle of the first world ...

Pittock Mansion offers a one of kind view of downtown Portland. This is a historic site that allows public access throughout the day and night. Parking is available at Pittock until 9pm but if you wish to visit the grounds after hours you can park at the bottom of the driveway, walk around the gate, and walk for about 1000ft to the top. If you do go at night make sure to bring a flashlight, as ...

Lower Macleay Park is one of most easily accessible trailheads in the city, especially during one of Portland’s rare snow years where even driving up to 500 feet of elevation can challenge your car. You can park within the park entrance cul-de-sac, around the intersection of Upshur St. & NW 29th St., or even on top of the Thurman Street Bridge and take the stairs down to the trailhead. The...