Explore the best rated trails in Kelso, WA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Frenchman's Bar Trail and I-205 Multi-Use Path. With more than 37 trails covering 281 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Brookwood Parkway Trail, in a northwestern suburb of Portland, skirts the Hillsboro airport and provides access to the Hillsboro Public Library and the sprawling campuses of a few large corporations....
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The Rock Creek Trail provides an important commuting route and natural escape in one of Oregon's largest cities: Hillsboro, located in the "Silicon Forest," a high-tech corridor on Portland's western...
The Coweeman River Trail follows the dike on the west side of the river for 4 miles, giving access to the riverfront and Tam O'Shanter Park. The setting on the northern section is residential, and the...
The Highway 26 Bike Path is a paved commuter route in west Portland that parallels its namesake roadway (also known as Sunset Highway). A small segment is located in a busy shopping area of the...
The Banks-Vernonia State Trail stretches through the hills (east of the Coast Mountains) between its two namesake towns. The former railroad corridor—once part of the Spokane, Portland & Seattle...
Terwilliger Trail offers a beautiful, paved route from southern Portland to Lake Oswego in two disconnected segments. Most of the trail corridor runs through Multnomah County; its southern tip lies in...
The Waterfront Bike Path follows the Willamette River in downtown Portland from the Marquam Bridge north to the Steel Bridge. Although short, the trail offers scenic views of the city skyline and...
The I-205 Multi-Use Path spans 18.5 miles through five cities and 15 neighborhoods along Interstate 205 and the TriMet MAX Green Line light rail service. In addition, it joins with the 21.5-mile...
The Columbia River Dike Trail—also known as the Captain William Clark Park Trail and the Cottonwood Beach Trail—follows the Columbia River from Steamboat Landing Park to the border of the Steigerwald...
The paved Highway 500 Trail runs just shy of a mile between Andresen Road and Thurston Way on Vancouver's west side through a busy stretch of car dealerships, shops and restaurants.
Marine Drive Trail follows its namesake roadway along the south shore of the Columbia River. You'll often find you're just feet from the river and can enjoy lovely views of the water, boats and...
The Warrenton Waterfront Trail runs for nearly 5 miles through the small city of Warrenton, located near where the mighty Columbia River empties into the Pacific Ocean in northwestern Oregon. Portions...
The Lacamas Heritage Trail parallels Lacamas Creek and the western shore of Lacamas Lake under a canopy of old growth forest. Along this scenic gravel pathway, trail-goers can catch glimpses of the...
Salmon Creek Greenway Trail offers a scenic natural getaway in northern Vancouver. The paved, tree-lined trail winds along the creek and through wetlands for 3 miles, offering access to Salmon Creek...
Portland's Steel Bridge across the Williamette River was built in 1912 and is the second-oldest vertical lift bridge still in operation in North America. Over time, the railroad bridge has become more...
The Gresham Fairview Trail is a north–south corridor that will one day link Portland's 40-Mile Loop Trail (Marine Drive section) with the Springwater Trail's section through Gresham. As of spring...
The Columbia Slough Trail follows its namesake waterway on the northern end of Portland. Although there are currently gaps in the trail, it will one day follow the entire length of the narrow 19-mile...
When complete, the Fanno Creek Greenway will be a 15-mile paved network of fully accessible urban trails, linking two counties and five cities: Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin, Durham, and southwest...
As its name implies, the Peninsula Crossing Trail cuts through a peninsula between the Willamette and Columbia Rivers in northern Portland. The tree-lined trail traverses urban neighborhoods and...
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Castle Rock's popular Riverfront Trail originates at its main trailhead in Lion's Pride Park, which offers covered picnic areas. Following a dike north along the Cowlitz River from the park, the trail...
Portland's Steel Bridge across the Williamette River was built in 1912 and is the second-oldest vertical lift bridge still in operation in North America. Over time, the railroad bridge has become more...
When complete, the Fanno Creek Greenway will be a 15-mile paved network of fully accessible urban trails, linking two counties and five cities: Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin, Durham, and southwest...
The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Trail—also known as the Chelatchie Prairie Rail-with-Trail—is currently open from Battle Ground Lake State Park to a point nearly 1 mile southwest. The paved trail runs...
The Springwater Corridor comprises the southeast segment of the 40-Mile Loop regional trail system encircling the greater Portland area. The origins of the Loop come from a 1904 proposal by visionary...
The Padden Parkway Trail provides a paved, 5-mile route across northeastern Vancouver, connecting neighborhoods and shopping areas. Trail-goers are separated from the busy four-lane roadway by a wide,...
The Columbia Slough Trail follows its namesake waterway on the northern end of Portland. Although there are currently gaps in the trail, it will one day follow the entire length of the narrow 19-mile...
The Highway 26 Bike Path is a paved commuter route in west Portland that parallels its namesake roadway (also known as Sunset Highway). A small segment is located in a busy shopping area of the...
The Crown Zellerbach Trail, known locally as the CZ Trail, follows a former logging railroad through quiet and picturesque forests in northwest Oregon. Its east end begins at Multnomah Channel and,...
The Waterfront Bike Path follows the Willamette River in downtown Portland from the Marquam Bridge north to the Steel Bridge. Although short, the trail offers scenic views of the city skyline and...
Castle Rock's popular Riverfront Trail originates at its main trailhead in Lion's Pride Park, which offers covered picnic areas. Following a dike north along the Cowlitz River from the park, the trail...
The Astoria Riverwalk, also known as the Astoria River Trail, stretches along part of the Astoria & Columbia River Railroad, providing a lively, nonmotorized tour of the city's waterfront. Along the...
Marine Drive Trail follows its namesake roadway along the south shore of the Columbia River. You'll often find you're just feet from the river and can enjoy lovely views of the water, boats and...
Tilikum Crossing, also known as the Bridge of the People, spans 1,720 feet across the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. The bridge was designed primarily for the MAX Orange Line light rail, but...
The developing Westside Trail in Portland's western suburbs will be a 25-mile paved, multi-use path between the Willamette River to the north and the Tualatin River to the south. Currently, 8 miles...
Brookwood Parkway Trail, in a northwestern suburb of Portland, skirts the Hillsboro airport and provides access to the Hillsboro Public Library and the sprawling campuses of a few large corporations....
The Lombard Street Path stretches nearly 2 miles through an industrial area of northern Portland. At the southern end of Kelley Point Park, the path makes two important connections: It meets the...
The scenic Burnt Bridge Creek Trail meanders through Vancouver, Washington, along the creek from Stewart Glen on the shores of Vancouver Lake to Meadowbrook Marsh. Along the way, the trail passes...
The paved Highway 500 Trail runs just shy of a mile between Andresen Road and Thurston Way on Vancouver's west side through a busy stretch of car dealerships, shops and restaurants.
As its name implies, the Seaside Promenade is a north-south route along the Pacific Ocean in the Oregon coastal community of Seaside. The Prom, as it's affectionately known, dates back to the 1920s...
Closure Notice: A portion of the trail between Adna and Chehalis will be closed starting at the end of April 2021 for approximately one year, due to construction work to install a trail overpass above...
As its name implies, the Peninsula Crossing Trail cuts through a peninsula between the Willamette and Columbia Rivers in northern Portland. The tree-lined trail traverses urban neighborhoods and...
The Warrenton Waterfront Trail runs for nearly 5 miles through the small city of Warrenton, located near where the mighty Columbia River empties into the Pacific Ocean in northwestern Oregon. Portions...
As its name implies, the Seaside Promenade is a north-south route along the Pacific Ocean in the Oregon coastal community of Seaside. The Prom, as it's affectionately known, dates back to the 1920s...
The Rock Creek Trail provides an important commuting route and natural escape in one of Oregon's largest cities: Hillsboro, located in the "Silicon Forest," a high-tech corridor on Portland's western...
Brookwood Parkway Trail, in a northwestern suburb of Portland, skirts the Hillsboro airport and provides access to the Hillsboro Public Library and the sprawling campuses of a few large corporations....
The I-84 Bike Path begins at the I-84 intersection with Fairview Parkway and continues west along the interstate for nearly 5 miles. A fence and concrete barrier separate trail-goers from traffic....
The Columbia Slough Trail follows its namesake waterway on the northern end of Portland. Although there are currently gaps in the trail, it will one day follow the entire length of the narrow 19-mile...
Castle Rock's popular Riverfront Trail originates at its main trailhead in Lion's Pride Park, which offers covered picnic areas. Following a dike north along the Cowlitz River from the park, the trail...
Portland's Steel Bridge across the Williamette River was built in 1912 and is the second-oldest vertical lift bridge still in operation in North America. Over time, the railroad bridge has become more...
Frenchman's Bar Trail could not be in a prettier place nestled between the Columbia River and Vancouver Lake on the northwestern outskirts of Vancouver. The paved trail of nearly 4 miles loops around...
The Cowlitz River Trail follows its namesake river along a dike on the east bank. The trail is asphalt and connects Kelso residents with the riverfront. The trail parallels the active BNSF line that...
The Banks-Vernonia State Trail stretches through the hills (east of the Coast Mountains) between its two namesake towns. The former railroad corridor—once part of the Spokane, Portland & Seattle...
The Waterfront Bike Path follows the Willamette River in downtown Portland from the Marquam Bridge north to the Steel Bridge. Although short, the trail offers scenic views of the city skyline and...
The 14-mile Yelm-Tenino Trail travels through the rural towns of Yelm, Rainier, and Tenino on a paved route through agricultural areas, forests, and wetlands. Commuters can access Olympia, Lacey, and...
The Coweeman River Trail follows the dike on the west side of the river for 4 miles, giving access to the riverfront and Tam O'Shanter Park. The setting on the northern section is residential, and the...
The Highway 26 Bike Path is a paved commuter route in west Portland that parallels its namesake roadway (also known as Sunset Highway). A small segment is located in a busy shopping area of the...
The Crown Zellerbach Trail, known locally as the CZ Trail, follows a former logging railroad through quiet and picturesque forests in northwest Oregon. Its east end begins at Multnomah Channel and,...
Closure Notice: A portion of the trail between Adna and Chehalis will be closed starting at the end of April 2021 for approximately one year, due to construction work to install a trail overpass above...
The Lombard Street Path stretches nearly 2 miles through an industrial area of northern Portland. At the southern end of Kelley Point Park, the path makes two important connections: It meets the...
Salmon Creek Greenway Trail offers a scenic natural getaway in northern Vancouver. The paved, tree-lined trail winds along the creek and through wetlands for 3 miles, offering access to Salmon Creek...
Rode the trail last weekend. There are a few spots that it is pretty rough so watch for bumps. Got hissed at by a wild goose towards Tenino. She got us on the way back too!
I rode it last summer and it was an awful experience. Lots of trash.
We hiked the trail last weekend going east from Pe Ell to Frances. This is really a beautiful portion of the Willapa Hills Trail. However, there are two dangerous trestles between the towns of Pluvious and Frances that should be avoided. They are 2.3 and 2.6 miles east of Frances. Be aware that the trestle at the west end is marked as closed but there are no closed signs when you approach the trestles from the east. With a 50' drop, one of the trestles has very narrow ties with a wide gap between them. Two of the ties are loose with one of them about to give way. Be careful. We will continue our hike from Frances with a stop in Menlo next. Even with some hazards, the Willapa Hills Trail is a remarkable trail.
This is a well surfaced path sometimes a bit confusing as to where to go to continue but google maps and or TrailLink really help. There is a bit of homelessness under the overpasses but well off the trail. Park worker’s were abundant and really trying to keep things picked up. All in all a very pleasant 1.5 hour ride round trip
I use this trail to workout a lot
There are several very hazardous places on this trail and several places you can't hike because of 'greenery' blocking the trail. Near the Gun Clubb Rd ( that's how it's spelled) you are blocked from the trail and have to go down the bank to the road. Logging trucks are whizzing by as you share the road with them. Shoulder is about 1 foot wide and at one point you cross a short bridge where you could reach out and touch the constant traffic. Definitely very dangerous. A short time later you go back up the bank to access the trail. There are 2 trestles on the trail and one has rotten boards that move when you step on them. No hand rail to help you. Near Robertson road, the trail is totally blocked off with what appears to be trees and bushes grown over the trail. You leave the trail, walk Robertson road for a short bit and then back to the trail. It seems to me that, with the exception of the trestles, the trail could be cleared to avoid road hazards. It could use some mowing of high grass but that is not a hazard but a matter of convenience.
We started on the east end and biked all the way to the west end and back. We enjoyed the large boats coming up the river, charming old homes, picking wild blackberries, and various piers. Scenic, easy flat ride.
I rode my gravel bike from the banks trailhead and the path is plenty doable up until around 4.6mi in. At that point it starts getting pretty rough, but it’s a nice fun path otherwise, friendly for all types (there were plenty of families & kids scattered around the first chunk of the path). Parking is quite limited & tight, so plan ahead carefully!
I rode the full 45 miles from Banks Bike shop where I rented an old, heavy mountain bike (the best they had). This trail is not for road bikes or old, heave mountain bikes. You will want a gravel bike or cyclocross at the least. Best option is a new hard tail mountain bike.
Most of the trail is smooth paved but there are several areas of rough terrain. There are big holes usually in the middle of the trail with a painted circle around them. Also tree roots have pushed the path up in several locations. The edges of the bridges where their wooden floor touches the asphalt have a considerable dip in the asphalt so you'll have to jump these sections.
About 3 miles outside of Banks there is a 2% grade for about 10 miles. Alternating between 1% and 2%. It gives you time to enjoy the scenery! Recommend walking the switchbacks if you have rim brakes. Good luck on their climbs as a few sections range from 8% - 12% There is a repair stand near the 12 mile mark. I didn't see anywhere to refill water but I also didn't stop for the restrooms, maybe it's there.
This ride will never be in the Rails-to-Trails Hall of Fame, but if you like a bit of an adventure, and can tolerate a wide variety of settings over a short period of time, give it a go!
I rode the length of the trail, starting and ending in Boring, and extended the ride a bit by crossing over the Willamette to Portland using the Iron Bridge.
Boring to Gresham, lush and green, few streets, very pleasant. About 7 miles in toward Portland, the side effects of America's struggle to provide adequate housing for those that desire it begin to show up: abandoned shopping carts, piles of trash, burn piles. The homeless camps from Mile 13 into about Mile 9 are ramshackle, creative, and sometime surprisingly high tech. Look close, and listen, and you'll see solar panels, hear generators running, and see discarded propane tanks. At no point did I encounter any hostility or aggression from the camp dwellers.
A bit farther down the trail (mile 8ish?) there is a discontinuity in the trail, and for possibly a mile you follow a tree-lined city street. If there were signs, I missed them, and was grateful to a bicycle riding couple that got me back on track.
Back on the path, a nice run into Portland, with a very pleasant section that parallels the river, popular with walkers, runners, bikers, twisting along the shoreline, dipping down for a bit onto a very cool pontoon supported metal pathway that is designed to adjust itself for changes in river level. There is one more on the street section here, but it is well marked/signed.
Turn around, head back, mild grade to climb, gaining maybe 600 feet over 15ish miles. Not hard. The street crossings come and go, and do require both caution and patience. With my slight extension to the other side of the river, 47 mies roundtrip.
So..excellent ride to cross off on your Rails-to-Trails list. Best approached with curiosity, patience, and acceptance of life styles that do not resemble your own. Didn't see many kids (some, but not many), and between the fairly heavy human traffic (skate boarders, in-line skaters, runners, walkers, etc.), the frequent street crossings and the sections that are impressively trashed out, I can see why many parents would choose a tamer adventure. Glad I did it (really!), don't feel the need to do it again any time soon.
Overall a good short ride — there’s parking at both sides of the trail. Be sure to watch out for dogs & walkers who may not hear/be responsive to your calls — especially right around the aquarium, where they tend to bunch up. The aquarium itself is worth a quick visit, if you have the time, too!
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