Forest Park

Great city park! Can't say enough good things about it's existence in a city that has high land values. Makes life so much better. I love the nature.

Here comes the sun....

Really enjoyed hiking in the sunny 70 degree weather. This place has so many trials to see we only had a small taste of this wonderful park. So many dogs walking the trail, runners and cyclist out.

Tip: bring water and snacks in case you want to just sit and enjoy Mother Nature.

Alta's enjoyed his walk, he lasted the whole hike. Wish we could have seen more but we were hungry.

We are blessed to be living so close to a forest in the city. When I am low on my dose of nature, Forest Park comes to the rescue! Forest Park offers multiple trails for walking, trail running, and hiking. I see tons of dogs and families with toddlers frequenting this park, so it is really for everyone! Our favorite trail is the one that starts at Lower Macleay Park and ends at Pittock Mansion. To be rewarded with breathtaking views of the city is an unmatched feeling!

This is one of my most favorite parks in Portland. It was my first time going there in fall and I'm so happy I did - the Maple trail is so beautiful this time of year.

Amazing place for a hike. My husband and I came her on Valentine Day's for a rainy day hike while visiting the area. There was lots of rain so that meant there was plenty of parking. We didn't see any main bathrooms, but there was a porta potty next to the trailhead. We did not have a lot of time, so we did the 1/2 mile hike to the Witch's Castle and back. The trails were well covered, green, and so beautiful. The trail was very moderate, so nothing too strenuous. It was my first hiking out in PNW and it felt like we were hiking through a fairytale forest like you would see in the movies. We will defiantly to be back to explore more of this park!

Here I am at forest park trails. They can be difficult i some areas. Climbing up mountains are not really my thing but the green area is majestically beautiful. I love to find the majestic slugs too. They remind me of the song slygs of love from little dragon:-) The area also reminds me of twilight for every reason. The road for the trail I am on today is also my birthday 05031977

Forest Park flanks the west side of the city and provides more than 5,000 acres of Northwest forest to explore, providing an easy escape from the urban environment. Every time I have visited Portland, I have spent time at this beautiful park, the trails are just enchanting. The park is home to many of the best hiking trails in the Portland area and contains more than 80 miles of hiking and walking trails. First-time visitors should bring a map to help navigate. The 30-mile Wildwood Trail is popular, as it connects with other pedestrian paths that circumnavigate the city.

The park covers the eastern slope of the Tualatin Mountains and is one of the largest urban parks in the country. The park is easily accessible by car, bike, or public transportation.

Another popular loop is the Maple Trail Loop, which highlights some of the tallest flora in the park. The iconic Pittock Mansion is also accessible with a hike through Forest Park starting from Lower Macleay Park.

Beautiful hiking trail! Mr and I visited in October and the trail was breathtaking from start to finish. We felt like we were in a lush jungle or wooded fairytale forest. It was nice to get away from the city and just immerse yourself in nature. I would love to visit again if we're ever in the area.

The only downside was finding parking, which was extremely difficult with how popular this park is. There's no dedicated lot. There's a few spaces near the trail head and then it's chaos beyond that.

Amazing place to go for every ages. Has many cool scenic trails. In one trail if you go fare enough you will see an old abandoned house made out of stone.

This sprawling, heavily forested park is absolutely HUGE! So many trails, and so many levels from very easy to more difficult. I wish they had more maps, and depending on when you arrive and what trailhead you're starting at, parking can be quite a challenge as some parking areas only have a few spots. The sections we've explored don't have any benches, either, so that's something to keep in mind (and we've barely made a dent in exploring all the trails so I'm not sure about other sections). They few trailheads we've started from have a port-a-potty next to the parking.

Forest Park is the largest urban forest in the US. How cool is that? Covering the northern parts of Portland's West Hills, it features over 80 miles of quintessential PNW trails full of moss, ferns, and pines. The most iconic trail is the Wildwood, which stretches for 30 miles north-south. What's not to like!?

I've lived in Portland for over seven years and I feel like I'm only just now starting to get a handle on the vastness of Forest Park. Surely, having a working understanding of the FP trail system is on the "are you a local" test :) Here are a few tips I've learned over the years.
* The Wildwood Trail is marked by blue diamonds. These blue diamonds appear on trees (not sign posts) every 1/4th mile
* There are two semi-paved gravel trails in the park, Leif Erikson Dr and Old Saltzman Road, which intersect many of the other trails. These are popular for mountain biking and can be a entry points for newbie trail runners
* Close to town are heavily trafficked trails including Pittock Mansion, the Washington Park portion of the Wildwood, and the ever-popular Witch's Castle off the Thurman St entrance
* The northern sections are more wild and less trafficked
* Remember to share the trail with proper hiker's etiquette. If approaching a group from behind, announce yourself and they will happily let you pass. I usually go with a friendly "mind if I squeeze past?" Likewise, if you are getting passed make way on the trail, especially for bikers and runners. If passing, give a friendly nod or wave of thanks. Be kind to your fellow nature lovers; it's not hard, people!
* Finally, follow city rules in leashing your pet and picking up after them. Unleashed dogs can damage the ecosystem and upset local fauna, not to mention startling fellow hikers and runners appearing unseen around a corner.

Happy hiking!