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Print Friendly MapThe developing Westside Trail in Portland’s western suburbs will one day be a 25-mile multi-use path between the Willamette River and the Tualatin River. Currently, the trail is open in four short, disconnected sections that weave through a Bonneville Power utility corridor and several Beaverton neighborhoods. It’s perfect for those looking for challenging climbs and breathtaking descents.
Section 1
The southern and most significant segment of the trail spans 6.5 miles. Begin on its southern end at Beaverton’s Barrows Park. Heading northeast, you will cross two low-volume roads before crossing Southwest Barrows Road at a signalized crossing. Here, the trail unites with the utility corridor that you’ll follow for the duration of the trail. The first half mile along the park is accessible to all users before the trail begins a series of steep turns north of Southwest Barrows Road.
The trail ascends the first climb across Southwest Scholls Ferry Road toward Murrayhill Park and Sexton Mountain. This neighborhood park has a place to rest, refill water bottles, and even play tennis. A long series of switchbacks begins at this park as the trail continues toward Southwest Weir Road 2 miles into the trail. After crossing Southwest Galena Way, the first descent begins with a series of tight turns through native plants and wildflowers to Beacon Hill Park. Remember to share the trail on this popular neighborhood route.
As you approach Southwest Rigert Road, the trail continues through the corridor and past another tennis court. North of Hart Meadows Park, the trail connects with Summercrest Park Trail before crossing South Johnson Creek and Southwest Bridle Hills Drive. On the northern side of Southwest Hart Road, more switchbacks begin on the approach to Mount Williams. Through the shade of a wooded area, a series of quick turns lead to Southwest Davis Road, across which the descent continues past Southwest Village Lane and Southwest Division Street.
At Southwest Farmington Road, the trail turns left to allow a safe crossing at the signalized Southwest 160th Avenue intersection. In half a mile, the trail has a short on-road section. Follow Southwest Blanton Street west to Southwest 160th Avenue, where you will turn before crossing the road. The path continues north to Southwest Tualatin Valley Highway, across which the trail resumes. A short distance later at Millikan Way, the route follows the sidewalk for 0.1 mile.
Just after Beaverton Creek, the trail turns to the right toward Tualatin Hills Nature Park and continues 0.7 miles to Southwest Merlo Road after again intersecting with Southwest Millikan Way at the park entrance. Tualatin Hills Nature Park makes a natural stopping point for this section of the trail and is well-equipped with amenities, including parking, restrooms, a nature center, and more walking paths.
Section 2
If you wish to continue, the trail resumes 5 miles north on Northwest Kaiser Road along the same utility corridor. Here, the 1.3-mile section begins with a boardwalk along the Bronson Creek wetlands. For approximately 1 mile, the trail ascends through prairie meadows toward the Rock Creek Trail. After a third residential road crossing at Northwest Wendy Lane, the trail joins Rock Creek Trail and turns right to its end just past Northwest Skycrest Parkway.
Section 3
Across a hilly residential neighborhood, a 0.4-mile section of the Westside Trail resumes at the intersection of Northwest Bannister Drive and Northwest 130th Avenue. A quick series of switchbacks carries visitors through another meadow that’s full of wildflowers in spring and summer before this section of trail ends several yards past Northwest Redfox Drive.
Section 4
For the adventurous, a final section of the Westside Trail runs through Forest Park, beginning along the discontinued portion of Northwest Saltzman Road and traveling through the temperate forests for which the Pacific Northwest is known. With the rough terrain and steep switchbacks of this section, it’s recommended only for mountain biking or hiking. Access the trail from Northwest Skyline Boulevard. Note that there is no trailhead or parking at this west end of the trail segment; look for the brown Forest Park sign to find the entrance. Although the trail is not well marked, its wider width compared to the singletrack trails in the park makes it relatively easy to follow. The 3-mile trail ends at the Lower Saltzman Trailhead, where parking is available along the road. From here, Northwest Saltzman Road takes a steep and narrow course to connect to US 30/Northwest St. Helens Road.
Parking is available at 14795 SW Murray Scholls Dr near Murray Hill Park and the southern trail end, at the Tualatin Hills Interpretive Center (15655 SW Millikan Way), and at the Waterhouse Soccer Field (16351 NW Mission Oaks Dr).
See TrailLink Map for more detailed directions.
Came to do a long run. Couldn’t finish because the hills are so intense. But, it’s a beautiful trail and well maintained!
Wonderful wildflowers, yummy blackberries to snack on, beautiful views and lots of smiling others (dog walkers, individuals riding their bicycles, joggers and morning leisure walker!). It's been extended from 8 miles to 11 at this point in time
Basically i went on the part of the trail near Beaverton/Nike area. Very well maintained but not very continuous. Not a lot of awesome views, lots of elevation change.
What a terrific trail! We took our e-bikes out on their maiden voyage and, boy, was I glad to have the pedal assist! There are some steep hills, and depending on your fitness level or bike type, they may be a deal-breaker. But if you’re intrepid and game, it’s a beautiful, quiet trail with great views. Both Mount Hood and Mount Saint Helens were clearly visible today. We took MAX to the Merlo/158th stop and accessed there and made it all the way down to Scholls Ferry. I’d do this one again.
The hills are steep but the scenery makes up for that. Peaceful, rolling vistas. A beautiful challenge that feels like a back country trek. I wouldn't try to bike it unless you are super fit. Some of the hills after Nora St will kick your butt just walking them..
We took our young (6yrs- 10 yr kids) family of 6 on this bike ride but the hills were too much for us! We started at the Tualatin Hills Nature Reserve and headed south.
Very beautiful and scenic, no trail traffic, but the switch backs we hit after we crossed 160th were too much. We ended up pushing bikes up the summit and then decided we had better turn back. I think we'll wait until the kids are older before we tackle this trail again.
Excellent training for hill running.
Its better than Fanno Creek Trail and the Sellwood Corridor. Barely anyone is using it yet and its has a cross country feel with some rolling hills. The hills aren't that bad. We are lucky to have this in our area.
My husband and I are leisure recreational bikers and thought this would be a nice 16 mile ride, but it was more than we were up for. There are some killer hills that we ended up pushing our bikes up. Our first clue should've been the fact that we didn't see any other bikers on this 8 mile trail - ha!
It was pretty but we were too pooped to enjoy it! But for younger bikers or bikers in better shape this would probably not be hard at all. It would be super for walking though.
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