Explore the best rated trails in Portland, OR. 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 43 trails covering 250 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.
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 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 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 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...
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Salem's Riverfront Trail begins in Riverfront Park on the east bank of the Willamette River. The park offers expansive views of the river and contains two unique features: a carousel with beautiful...
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 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...
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...
Start the Edgewater Trail on Water Street at the north end of Riverfront Park. The 23-acre park is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon and enjoy river views. It has two unique features: a carousel...
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 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 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...
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...
Located in the Portland suburb of Clackamas, this trail extends just over 1 mile. The paved pathway begins on SE Mather Road, in an industrial part of town, and heads southeast, paralleling the...
The Logging Road Trail runs along the eastern outskirts of Canby, about 20 miles south of Portland. The road was once used by logging trucks, but is now closed to vehicular traffic. Views along the...
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 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 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.
The Moulton Falls Trail follows an old logging railroad grade between Hantwick Road and the East Fork High Bridge. The trail travels along the East Fork Lewis River within a canopied corridor of...
The Eastbank Esplanade traces Portland's Willamette River from the Steel Bridge on the north end to SE Caruthers Street on the south end. The trail is named for former Portland mayor Vera Katz, who...
Providing a useful link between the Polk County communities of Monmouth and Rickreall, the Highway 99W Bike Path offers over five miles of paved trail for cyclists and pedestrians. Useful both as a...
,a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/trails/locations/mta-0059-whistle-punk.shtml">US Forest Service: This trail is a barrier-free interpretive trail that tells the story of forest...
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...
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 McLoughlin Promenade offers a unique trail experience overlooking the Willamette River in Oregon City. Stretching about a half mile along the river bluff, the paved pathway offers beautiful views...
Minto-Brown Island Park offers a well-loved, natural oasis in western Salem. Spanning more than a thousand acres, the park offers both wooded and open areas for recreational enjoyment. A winding paved...
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...
Salem's Riverfront Trail begins in Riverfront Park on the east bank of the Willamette River. The park offers expansive views of the river and contains two unique features: a carousel with beautiful...
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...
Start the Edgewater Trail on Water Street at the north end of Riverfront Park. The 23-acre park is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon and enjoy river views. It has two unique features: a carousel...
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...
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The Trolley Trail follows the Portland Traction Company's Oregon City Line streetcar right-of-way, serving Portland’s metro area, that ran between Milwaukie and Gladstone from 1893 until...
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 Eastbank Esplanade traces Portland's Willamette River from the Steel Bridge on the north end to SE Caruthers Street on the south end. The trail is named for former Portland mayor Vera Katz, who...
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 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...
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...
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...
Cazadero Trail is currently completed in two disconnected segments that total just over 4 miles in the southeastern outskirts of Portland. In the future, the rail-trail is planned to stretch farther...
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...
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 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 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...
Salem's Riverfront Trail begins in Riverfront Park on the east bank of the Willamette River. The park offers expansive views of the river and contains two unique features: a carousel with beautiful...
The bike path connects Oregon's capital Salem to the neighboring city of Keizer in the Williamette Valley. The trail starts along Salem Parkway on Cherry Avenue and heads north, connecting schools,...
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...
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 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 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.
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 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 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...
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 Trolley Trail follows the Portland Traction Company's Oregon City Line streetcar right-of-way, serving Portland’s metro area, that ran between Milwaukie and Gladstone from 1893 until...
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...
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...
Minto-Brown Island Park offers a well-loved, natural oasis in western Salem. Spanning more than a thousand acres, the park offers both wooded and open areas for recreational enjoyment. A winding paved...
,a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/trails/locations/mta-0059-whistle-punk.shtml">US Forest Service: This trail is a barrier-free interpretive trail that tells the story of forest...
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...
Providing a useful link between the Polk County communities of Monmouth and Rickreall, the Highway 99W Bike Path offers over five miles of paved trail for cyclists and pedestrians. Useful both as a...
I lived in Vernonia for over 6 years. I ran almost daily and biked quite a few times, on the BV trail. It’s absolutely beautiful and well maintained. I never ran the whole way but I did bike it. Down near Banks there are some great blackberry bushes if you feel like picking some berries. The only complaint I had is it’s mostly flat (it was a rail line) except for some obscene hills right in the middle. Somewhat ample parking available in Banks & Vernonia. I moved, and am enjoying the rail trails in Massachusetts.
It’s a smooth path for the most part. It has a little bit of cracks and sometimes branches. There is a couple tents from the homeless at the beginning of the path, I’ve never had a problem so far but it’s a pretty good spot otherwise
Good trail to the zoo and Washington park. You can go all the way to Timbers stadium!
Enjoyed going down this path on a sunny afternoon. A good mix of slight down & uphill so it never feels like too much work to just keep going. When the path crosses the main streets sometimes it can be difficult to spot where it continues vs where there’s just a large (rocky & car filled) bike lane. Once you’re back on trolley trail though it’s super easy and pleasant. Lots of folks with their dogs out when I went on a Friday afternoon.
I rode it last summer and it was an awful experience. Lots of trash.
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 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.
Good for a quick ride, relatively flat throughout. Watch out if the cottonwood trees are in bloom, and careful of the traction speed bumps on the bridge portion — they can make for an unsteady ride on a road bike for beginners.
This gem of a trail has been my go-to for over 15 years, including the outstanding refurb of Buxton Trestle and the 'final mile' into namesake Banks trailhead (used to just end outside of town). Many happy memories. While the pavement is still fine for mountain bikes and most hybrids, it has become increasingly unsafe for the skinny tire set, and any repairs have been mere band-aids. The unsafe ruts and root heaves have been helpfully painted as a warning, but I was still knocked off-trail into the grass last week by an unmarked bump (with both hands on the handlebars). I hope Oregon State Parks has a plan for repaving, considering they do a great job of cutting back blackberries and equipping trailheads with tools/workstands.
Pro-tip: Just north of the crest, near mile marker 11.5, stop by the small clear-cut on a calm day. Sheltered from traffic noise on highway 47, it's among the quietest spots I've experienced in the Portland metro area.
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