Forest Park – Excellent hiking trails minutes out of Portland

Forest Park is a slice of Northwest forest circa the 1800s, located just minutes outside Downtown Portland, it borders along Skyline, Nob Hill and The Pearl District. The park boasts an impressive trail system with over 70 miles of trails, fire lanes, and gravel roads on its five thousand plus acres. The terrain is extremely varied and marked with numerous ridges and ravines, appropriate for those at all experience levels.

In 1803, William Clark, of Lewis and Clark Fame first laid eyes on what would later become Forest Park. Originally inhabited by Native Americans, the 5,000-plus acreage that is now Forest Park was claimed by the United States in the early 1800s. The land was mostly doled out to prospectors but much of it reverted to the city of Portland at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1948 the original three thousand acres was designated as city parkland and the park has been growing ever since.

The park offers trails that cater to bicyclists, equestrians, hikers and runners as well as nature photographers, birdwatchers and naturalists attracted by the park’s native plants and wildlife. Forest Park is home to over 100 bird species and 62 types of mammals. Its massive tree canopy and substantial undergrowth, help to serve as a natural air purifier, water collector, and erosion controller. Every year the Friends of Forest Park, host a series of guided hikes throughout the park. These hikes allow participants to learn about the culture and history of the park and include mountain bike tours and specialty tours for children. In addition the 30-mile Wildwood Trail is part of the region’s 40-Mile Loop system that links Forest Park to pedestrian and trail routes along the Columbia River to Gresham, through southeast Portland, along the Willamette Greenway, and back to the Marquam Trail in southwest Portland. For more information about the guided tours or Forest Park itself check out http://www.forestparkconservancy.org/

April 9, 2009 · Filed Under Portland Parks and Gardens

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