Hiking in Portland, Oregon
As a girl who grew up in Ohio, I still can’t help but be awed by the mountains and natural beauty of Oregon. I feel so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. Here are some of my favorite hikes near Portland. All are within a 1 to 1.5 hour drive of the city.
Dog Mountain
Don’t be fooled, friends. This mountain was not named for the numerous hikers that bring along Fido, but for the knee-buckling, tear-inducing fact that the mountain works you like a dog. (Full disclosure: I don’t know why it’s named Dog Mountain, but if I had to place a bet you’d better believe it’d be on the latter).
The trail begins with a harsh set of switchbacks. Just when you’ve reached your breaking point, the switchbacks end, though the trail continues to climb upward for a mile or so, before offering up a view of the Columbia River Gorge. Stop here and do a little stretch, give yourself a bit of a pep talk, and then continue up the trail. There’s no way around it, this climb is brutal, and the return downhill even more so (you will sing sad songs to your knees and quads later on), but the view at the top is, dare I say, worth it. A snowy Mt. St. Helen’s (the infamous volcano that blew its top in 1980) looms to the north and sweeping views of the Columbia River and the Columbia River Gorge stretch out almost 3,000 feet below you.
Directions: From Portland take I-84 east to Cascade Locks exit 44. Take the bridge across the river (into Washington State) and turn right on Highway 14. After about 12 miles, you’ll see a large sign on your left for the Dog Mountain Trailhead. Park in the pullout to the left.
Driving Time: About 1.5 hours
Difficulty: A gut-bustingly-hard 7 mile loop
Hometown hint: Climb Dog Mountain in April or May for a show of early season flowers.
The view from the top of Dog Mountain
Saddle Mountain
Saddle Mountain is one of my all-time favorite hikes. Located a mere twenty minutes from the Oregon Coast, it’s the perfect day hike. The path starts with, whaddayaknow, switchbacks, which continue upward for just over a mile. After two miles of hiking you’ll reach the “saddle” of the mountain, with views down to the forest floor below. The final half mile of the climb feels otherworldly and very difficult. Make sure you take advantage of the wire anchored into the rock face to help you navigate the steep grade. At the top of the mountain, a railed-in area is the perfect place to eat a snack and take in the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountain Range.
Directions: From Portland city center take Highway 26 west for about 65 miles. Turn right at the state park sign near highway mile post 10. Follow the road until it ends at a picnic/ bathroom area. Beware of potholes!
Driving Time: About 1 hour from the city
Difficulty: A moderate to difficult 5.2 mile out-and-back.
Hometown Hint: Bring a sweat-free change of clothes and head into Cannon Beach for an after-hike pizza and beer at Fulanto’s Pizza. If you aren’t too tired, take a beach walk to Haystack Rock. To reach Cannon Beach continue west on Highway 26 to Highway 101 south.
Saddle Mountain
Dry Creek Falls
I love Dry Creek Falls because I have never, ever encountered more than five other human beings on this trail, even during prime hiking season. I also love it because the trail is none other than the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,600 mile route that stretches from Mexico to Canada, and it’s fun to feel part of the action. (Dream disclosure: I fantasize about thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail when our RTW trip is complete). There are no mountain views on this hike. Instead, you’re rewarded with Douglas Fir forest and moss that glows green. Hike this trail when the rains have started and the glow of forest will seem almost unnatural. To begin, find the Pacific Crest Trail trailhead across the road behind the parking lot bathrooms. Follow the trail under the freeway and then turn to the right on the gravel road. You should see the continuation of the trail ahead on your left. From here, continue along the trail for about 2 miles until you reach Dry Creek. You will hear Dry Creek falls in the distance. Turn right along the creek to Dry Creek Falls, a modest but beautiful waterfall that you’ll have all to yourself.
Directions: From Portland city center drive I-84 east to the Cascade Locks exit (#44). Follow signs to the Bridge of the Gods. As you approach the bridge, pull into a small parking lot/restroom area on your right. Park here.
Driving Time: About 1.5 hours (a little less) from Portland city centerDifficulty: An easy to moderate 5 mile out-and-back.
Hometown Hint: Instead of heading back to Portland after the hike, drive the 20 miles into Hood River, a picturesque little town known for its windsurfing, fruit, wine and beer. To reach Hood River, continue on I-84 east to the Hood River exit.
Beautiful Dry Creek Falls
Angels Rest
Angels Rest is a popular Portland hike. In fact, it’s a Portland right-of-passage to climb the rocky bluff overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. This hike makes my top-hikes list because it’s close to Portland, short enough to knock out in a few hours, and easy enough that you’ll have energy leftover to explore all of Portland’s brew pubs later in the evening. There’s nothing too extravagant about this hike, but the walk through the ferns and forest, and the breathtaking view at the outcropping known as Angles Rest, is the perfect example of a classic northwest hike: beautiful, laid-back and just enough work.
Directions: From Portland city center take I-84 east to the Bridal Veil exit (#28). Park about .25 miles down the road at the intersection. The beginning of the trail is marked at the intersection.
Driving Time: 45 minutesDifficulty: An easy to moderate 4.4 mile out-and-back.
Hometown Hint: Celebrate the classic Portland hike with a classic Portland beer.
Angels Rest
But Wait….
What about Mt. Hood? Don’t fret, my dears. There are so many fabulous hikes around Mt. Hood that she deserves her very own blog post. But that is for another day. Email me if you need any advice in the meantime.
P.S.- Thank you to the outdoorsy wonder-god William L. Sullivan who has published a series of Oregon hiking books with which I have referenced a million times while hiking and, without which, I surely would have gotten lost (or even worse, never discovered these treasures in the first place). If you live in Oregon, I highly recommend picking up his books. You can buy them here.
We're Kim and Brian and we have one goal: Sell our stuff, quit our jobs, and crawl (claw?) our way out of our cubicles to travel the world. 
Some other hikes you might like: Siouxon Creek–a walk through the woods next to a pristine creek in the Cascades foothills. On the drive you will see an exposed cinder cone called Tumtum Mountain–and it’s all in Clark County Washington!
Other cool close hikes in SW WA include Cape Horn–outrageous views of the Columbia River Gorge–and Catherine Creek–at the edge of east-side dryness. Google them for directions.
Thanks Jessica, I’ll make sure to check those hikes out. I rarely think about heading up to Vancouver for walk in the woods, but there is a lot of natural beauty up there.
Adventures in Oregon! and I don’t see one…not one about running! Oh, there have been adventures running…such as National Hot Man Running in Forest Park Day, Kim using the facilities while bikers go by, getting lost in the hail storm, Peterson Ridge….and lets not forget the very important run after giving blood.
– I’ll miss those adventures with you! but definitely plan to crash RTW with a little monthly slice of Wendy.
@Wendy- you are funny! And I’ll make sure I get some of those adventures archived into this blog sometime soon. Oh how I wish I had pictures of National Hot Man Running in Forest Park Day. BTW, we are STILL going to have those adventures, they’ll just be happening in India and Nepal for a little while (when you come visit), instead of Oregon.