If you want to get out into nature, but not spend all day hiking, here are seven wonderful hikes in the city that are under three miles — and worth every minute. Ranging from wetlands to forest, these hikes are all unique and teeming with their own character. Lace up your shoes and head out on one of these fun short trails, which are some of the absolute best hikes in Portland, Oregon!
1. Kelly Point Park
North Kelly Point Park Road, N Kelly Point Park Rd, Portland, OR 97203, USA
Take the 1.7-mile hike that splits its length between the beach and trails to see the convergence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers up close. Visit AllTrails to learn more about this beautiful hike in Oregon!
2. Mt Tabor City Park
Mt Tabor Park, SE 60th Ave &, SE Salmon St, Portland, OR 97215, USA
Hike the Green Trail, a 1.7-mile perimeter loop of the park that is a combination of dirt and paved trails on a hot day. The canopy keeps the park nice and shady, making it the perfect respite for summer heat.
Sitting 10 miles NW of downtown, this notable island is one of the largest river islands in the country, and is bustling with fun year round. Connected to the mainland by bridge, this picturesque island has been a part of Portland history since long before its first bridge opened in 1950. Like this 2.8-mile hike, for example, which is a real beauty. Open only seasonally, April through September, it is a great place to spot birds and other wildlife.
4. Oaks Bottom
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, SE Sellwood Blvd & SE 7th Avenue, 10830 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202, USA
Hike around the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge for a great view of meadows, wetlands, and forest all within the 2.3-mile trail. For bird lovers, there is no better place in the city to spot this amazing event than at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge on the east bank of the Willamette River.Named the city's first wildlife refuge in 1988, the park has been attracting bird watchers for decades! The 141-acre park is located in the floodplain of the Willamette River and includes wetlands that are home to incredible avian species such as herons, hawks, osprey, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, falcons, vultures, and waterfowl!
Another popular trail on Sauvie Island, this 2.2-mile loop is home to waterfowl and beavers, which are often spotted on the hike. Visit AllTrails for more information about this trail!
6. Tryon Creek State Park
Tryon Creek State Natural Area, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland, OR 97219, USA
Take the inner loop around Tryon Creek State Park for a 1.9-mile trek complete with muddy trails and bridges at our city's only state park. It's also criminally overlooked; this lovely park features over 650 acres of second-growth forest for you to explore and is just 15 minutes from downtown!
7. Smith and Bybee Lakes
Smith and Bybee Lakes refuge, Interlake Parking, 5327 N Marine Dr, Portland, OR 97203, USA
The 2.1-mile Smith and Bybee Lakes Trail winds through the wetlands is a great place to spot turtles, waterfowl and more along the easy trail.
What is your favorite easy hike in the city? Any trails you’d add to this list of best hikes in Portland? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking for more scenic trails in our little corner of Oregon? These hikes under five miles are all immensely scenic and worth checking out!
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Best hikes in Portland
Sarah M.|April 18, 2022
What are some other great hiking trails in Portland?
One of our favorite trails in Portland is also one of the most notorious... and perhaps even haunted: the Wildwood Trail and Lower Macleay Trail Loop. This 3.2-mile trail is located just outside Portland, and is a straightforward trek all can enjoy -- provided, of course, that you aren't spooked by ghost stories. The trail is located in the Macleay Park, part of Portland's beautiful Forest Park. This lovely little preserve offers a variety of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding... as well as a real-life witch's castle! The story behind these Oregon ruins is one of high drama and heartache, and you can learn all about it in this article.
