Hiking in the Portland area is unlimited, and you don’t have to leave the city for short hikes. In Forest Park, the largest forested city park in the country, you'll find more than 50 miles of trails through an urban wilderness. The Wildwood Trail - the longest trail in the park - offers the most options for fun loop hikes. For a great 2.5-mile hike, head up Leif Erikson Drive to a left onto the Wild Cherry Trail to a right onto the Wildwood Trail to a right onto the Dogwood Trail, and then a right on Leif Erikson Drive to get you back to the trailhead. There are also good sections of trail to hike in the vicinity of the Hoyt Arboretum, where you can get a trail map. About 5 miles south of downtown, you'll find Tryon Creek State Park, known for its trillium flowers in the spring, miles of walking trails, and a bike path that leads to downtown Portland.

Drive over to Mount Hood National Forest - less than an hour away – to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, which leads all the way to Mexico. You can experience wonderful hikes on Timberline Trail heading out from Timberline Lodge and Mirror Lake Trail, which has its trailhead on U.S. 26 just before you reach Government Camp. Enjoy a 4-mile hike around Mirror Lake or a 6.4-mile round-trip hike to the top of nearby Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain. To avoid crowds, hike around the mountain to the Cloud Cap Campground, where you can hike above the tree line on the treeless east slopes or head through the trees and meadows on the mountain’s north side. Call the Mount Hood Information Center at (503) 622-7674. If you're interested in a strenuous mountain experience, Mount Hood offers excellent mountain- and rock-climbing opportunities. Timberline Mountain Guides (541/312-9242) leads summit climbs on Mount Hood, as well as snow, ice, and rock-climbing courses.

Treat your senses to a hike through the remaining old-growth forests of the Northwest – a1 ½-hour drive.  Along the Oregon Coast, Ecola State Park, Oswald West State Park, Cape Meares State Park, and Cape Lookout State Park offer scenic hiking trails through stands of ancient trees.