Find the top rated birding trails in Salem, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This paved path has great signage, as long as you know which parking lot you parked in. It would be really hard to get lost. Families and friendly people on the way. Cell service not great there, so plan ahead. 5 parking areas that I counted and some porta potties. I'll be back!
Anytime I come across a couple of goats going for a walk, I just know I’m on the right trail! So many friendly people and some serious athleticism going on there, too. The path might be short but has some inclines that seem to produce a bit of perspiration. I loved the trail and will be back again. Hopefully see those sweet goats again!
Rode from Johnson Creek to Boring and back. Saw lots of wild rabbits and other friendly cyclists. Peaceful and very peaceful after passing Gresham on my way to Boring!
Industrial for huge parts. Not the prettiest bike ride.
We rode from Clackamas town center to downtown Pdx. Homeless harmless and ride was amazing, saw rushing creeks, natural beauty/habitat and even deer!
This is a Public Health & Human Safety Biohazard Risk! Needles and trash everywhere, plus the stench of human feces and urine. I won't even ride my bike between Willamette and Lombard on the trail, let alone walk it! It's a breeding ground for disease.
C'mon, City of Portland, CLEAN IT UP!
I'd upload an image but there is no link.
It was pea soup outside this past Sunday and cold. I read mixed reviews about this trail and about the state it is in. It was in really good shape so I'm not sure what some folks are talking about. Yes, there are some areas that are a little more rough and you need to slow down. We did the full ride, 21 miles from Banks to Vernonia and 21 miles back. The worst parts of the trail were around mile 5 and closer to Vernonia. That being said, it is not bad. Just slow down and pay attention. Most troubled areas are clearly marked.
My only regret is doing the ride on a 30 pound cruiser. Not the bike to use on this trail although my thighs are made of solid steel now. It's a steady incline after mile 5-ish until about mile 12-ish and boy, was I feeling it! Coming back from Vernonia took us way less time as there is less of an upward climb and my body was numb to the pain. I will be returning because this trail is awesome but I will use a lighter, more ergonomically correct bike.
Enjoy the ride or walk! Don't leave your trash or dog poop on the trail!
This trail was built with love, over a long period of time, with multiple users intended. The trail is a connection between small towns with rich historical value. This trail project is intended to be continue reaching onward to Scappoose and potentially other towns looping back to Portland then completing the loop back to Banks or continuing toward the coastal communities and then returning to the original beginning as funding and land rights are available. The project will continue to grow with interest and self sustaining interest and ideas. These ‘Trails’ have done a great job of making themselves friendly for multiple users, from families spending a few hours outside seeing how rich our coastal mountains (even our own rain forests) to the most serious bike riders to weekend horseback riding beginners or highly organized groups. If you can walk your going to enjoy the time you spend on this trail. If you want to start at the beginning, middle or end of this trail you will be able to see why the pioneers would risk the lives of the entire family to come start new lives. I would suggest that you take the time to gather the free information available before you get going on this trail. Having even the basic information you can begin a conversation that will spark the interest of the most aloof people. Looking into the areas historical background would add photos of logging that are hard to imagine! Some of the logs cut and moved with old fashioned people power and horses! Imagine what it would be like to move fallen trees to the trains, using only the simplest of tools will amaze young and old alike. A picture is worth a thousand words and still doesn’t even begin to come close to what you’re able to see with even a few historical photos and stories in hand. Being able to see how much hard work was done by prior generations and how carefully the land has been managed by our past generations is quite humbling. (I have seen some photos where the photographer tried to explain how the horses & wagons with men standing on top of the horses wouldn’t fill the the trees vertically or horizontally) Locally owned logging companies go to great lengths to re-planet and insure the health of the new trees, leaving a variety of trees still standing during each cutting. Making the least known impact on every new section cut. Creating a rapidly filled new habitat and limiting the impact of heavy equipment. Longview Fiber has ownership over much of the land on the PNW trail areas between Banks & Vernonia. They have been eager to demonstrate best practices of land management, wood and wood products/byproducts and the operations used in creating new products. They also have information available to interested audiences. I agree that going along a trail and then bursting out into the middle of a clear cutting area isn’t beautiful. These areas are designed to provide the best recovery possible for the next set of trees, they are watched over, carefully cared for, trimmed and thinned. They grow quickly and within 10 years walking through the area the only thing you might notice is almost all the trees are the same age. I dreaded the time when the property adjacent to mine would be clear cut. After many years of watching the process and reading the most recent documents in best case scenarios I learned how much care Longview Fiber provides for the property they own and manage. I was also surprised at the public access they allow, not if they have a active cut happening for obvious safety reasons. Take the time to review the information from many angles. Find a solution to the abuse of paper products just used in USA. It is truly a complex problem The history and information available for this trail is interesting and telling of how the PNW came to life and provided a living for hard working families
Only hiked the north section from Eco City Park trailhead. We’ll be back to visit the south section. Path was smooth enough for my kids to scooter. There are also several geocaches along the way, some very close to the path.
Even on a cool, overcast, but weekend day there were several others on the trail. All walkers.
Very scenic ride but trail at times very rough. Needs work!
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