When we talk about "hiking around Portland," we're not often talking about Portland. Instead, we're drawing a much broader geographical range, one that encompasses the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood and the city's surrounding suburbs.
There are plenty of amazing hikes out there, but what about all the trails in Portland proper?
With such a green reputation, it should come as no surprise that forests and trails are interwoven throughout Portland's urban makeup. They ensure opportunities galore to hike through secluded pockets of nature - all without leaving the city.
The most amazing part? The diversity of our urban trails. They wind up extinct volcanoes, down to wetland habitats and through quiet neighborhoods. One trail might offer stunning mountain views, another wooded tranquility. Some were meticulously designed by city planners, others were saved from development by neighbors.
What all of these hikes have in common is geography; each one can be found within Portland city limits (plus Sauvie Island). Let this be both a guide and a reminder: You don't have to take a road trip to find good hiking around Portland.
Hoyt Arboretum Loop - A scenic loop hike through the northern portion of Washington Park, centered around the Hoyt Arboretum.
4.7 miles, NW Portland
Kelley Point Park - Easy walk along beach and paved trails at the point where the Willamette and Columbia Rivers converge.
1.7 miles, N Portland
Mount Tabor Green Trail - A walk around the perimeter of Mount Tabor Park, on both paved roads and dirt trails.
1.7 miles, SE Portland
Oak Island - Seasonal hike through the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area, open from mid-April through September.
2.8 miles, Sauvie Island
Oaks Bottom - Loop hike around the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge - a wetland, meadow and forest complex that is home to a great diversity of birds.
2.3 miles, SE Portland
Smith and Bybee Lakes - A paved trail through the Smith and Bybee Lakes Wetlands Natural Area, home of painted turtles, eagles, herons and more.
2.1 miles, N Portland
Tryon Creek Inner Loop - Easy walk along the inner trails of Tryon Creek State Park, an urban forest with several small bridges and muddy trails.
1.9 miles, SW Portland
Wapato Greenway - An easy stroll along the Wapato Greenway on Sauvie Island, where waterfowl and beaver sightings are common.
2.2 miles, Sauvie Island
Washington Park Loop - A hike through Washington Park, on dirt trails and sidewalks past some of Portland's best attractions.
3.9 miles, SW Portland
Woods Park Loop - Trails through a 36-acre pocket of native forest in the heavily wooded Woods Memorial Natural Area.
2.1 miles, SW Portland
Council Crest - Most people drive up to the scenic point with spectacular mountain views, but a hike from Marquam Nature Park is worth the effort.
3.3 miles, SW Portland
Maple Trail - One of the best hikes in Forest Park, the Maple Trail is a lovely showcase of the park's many bigleaf maple trees.
8.2 miles, NW Portland
Marquam Nature Park Loop - A loop around Marquam Nature Park, a tranquil pocket of nature saved by neighbors in the 1960s.
3.8 miles, NW Portland
Mount Tabor Blue Trail - A perfect tour of Mount Tabor, on dirt and paved trails that lead past all three reservoirs and to the summit of the extinct volcano.
3.3 miles, SE Portland
Newton Road to Newberry Road - Lengthy hike through the northernmost portion of Forest Park, along the Wildwood Trail and past the Hole in the Park.
9.4 miles, NW Portland
Pittock Mansion Hike - Storybook stroll through Macleay Park and a hike up the Wildwood Trail to the historic Pittock Mansion with scenic views of Portland. 5 miles, NW Portland
Powell Butte Loop - Hike around the perimeter of Powell Butte Nature Park, through forest and along the high grasslands of the extinct volcano. 4.3 miles, SE Portland
Tryon Creek Outer Loop - Loop around Tryon Creek State Park, a sprawling urban forest with trails for hikers, equestrians and cyclists.
5.7 miles, SW Portland
Tolinda-Ridge Trail - A hike from the Tolinda Trailhead to the Ridge Trailhead in Forest Park, with a nice view of the St. Johns Bridge. 5.9 miles, NW Portland
Warrior Point - A long, flat hike to the Warrior Rock Lighthouse up to the northernmost Warrior Point of Sauvie Island.
7 miles, Sauvie Island
Forest Park - At nearly 5,200 acres, Forest Park is easily Portland's largest, containing the famed 30-mile Wildwood Trail among others. No one hike does the park justice, so get to a trailhead and explore.
Marquam Nature Park - The tranquil pocket of forest that is Marquam Nature Park offers no spectacular views (though it does connect to the Council Crest Hike), offering a peaceful wooded walk instead.
Mount Tabor - Portland's most popular extinct volcano, Mount Tabor Park is 190 acres of paved and dirt trails, popular among locals and tourists alike for its spectacular views, grassy meadows, playgrounds and annual PDX Adult Soap Box Derby.
Powell Butte - Anonther of Portland's extinct volcanoes, Powell Butte Nature Park contains some 612 acres of forested trails and high grasslands, with stunning views of all five visible mountains of the Cascade Range.
Sauvie Island - Known best for its pumpkin patches and beaches, Sauvie Island is also home to several good hiking spots through wildlife areas along inner-island lakes and the rolling Columbia River.
Tryon Creek - The 658-acre Tryon Creek State Park is a sprawling urban forest in Portland, offering 8 miles of hiking trails, 3.5 miles of horse trails and a 3-mile paved cycling trail - all perfect for families and local hikers.
Washington Park - The impressive Washington Park complex boasts more to do than any other park in Portland, containing the International Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, World Forestry Center and Portland Children's Museum - not to mention paved and dirt trails throughout.
--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB