Exploring PDX Through Hiking

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IMG_2190 One of my favorite activities is hiking. I love to do urban hikes, like exploring Mt Tabor, getting out to the Gorge, and traveling to do some short backpacking trips around the state, and beyond. Portland and the greater Metro area has some of the best hiking in Oregon, so I've compiled some of my favorites below. Lately (since this last fall when my daughter was born), I've been hiking most weeks with an amazing free group: Hike It Baby. Started in Portland by a new mom, Hike It Baby is open to anyone and everyone with a child (you can borrow one from a family member or friend) from birth on up! Moms, dads, grandparents, nannies, babysitter, and whole families meet up at member led hikes of all levels and lengths to get some exercise, fresh air, and camaraderie. I hope to see you out on the trail!

1. Council Crest- SW Portland- Start on Samuel Jackson Rd, and hike up a steep hill to Council Crest Park. You get a great leg burn, and a rewarding view of downtown, many bridges, and 3 mountains if its clear.

pittock mansion2. Upper McClaey- NW Portland- Hike through part of Forest Park up to Pittock Mansion. You can picnic on the lawn with another amazing view of the city and Mt Hood. Its steep, but pretty short and not as hard as Council Crest.

mt tabor

 

 

3. Mt Tabor Rambling- SE Portland- Our very own dormant volcano has 3 great official trails that start at the visitors center (Red, Green, and Blue) but I always start on one and end up switching to another, and then heading up to the summit to finish it off. This can be as chill or challenging as you would like. There is also a big set of stairs if you are needing to up the heart rate quite a bit!

wildwood 4. Forest Park Wildwood Trail- NW Portland- This trail runs 30 miles from one end of the park to the other, but you can access it at many roads and parking lots throughout the park. I like to just pick a spot and go out and back, but you can also do loops with the other trails and fire roads that criss cross the park. This gem of a park is one of the largest in an urban area in the country, and has endless areas to explore.