Forest Park The Urban Hiking tour

Forest Park The Urban Hiking tour

When tour guests asks us, "what one thing should I not miss in Portland," we pick the 4.5- to 5-mile (8-9 km) hike in Forest Park. No matter what the season, hiking in the park is entering another world right on the borders (and through the fabric) of the city.

We offer two daily departures, both with varied terrain and about 900 ft elevation gain. The morning hike is focused around a classic Northwest Portland experience, and ends at the International Rose Test Garden, the Forest Park Experience (9 a.m. to noon). The afternoon hike starts at Goose Hollow, weaves through the neighborhoods and up into the park, the Goose Hollow to the Forest (1 to 5 p.m.). Both pass the iconic spots; Japanese Garden, Pittock Mansion, and Witch's Castle; but take a different approach to the forest.

Being in Forest Park is to be immersed a fluid place that exists both in and out of time. In the forest—within minutes leaving the street—you can forget, or wonder at the fact that you are still in a city.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Forest Park, Portland, OR 97231, USA

We'll make our way into Forest Park from the starting point, where we'll join the famous Wildwood Trail, a 43-mile long trail that has its origin over 110 years ago.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Wildwood Trail, 4033 SW Canyon Rd (trailhead: World Forestry Center), Portland, OR 97221-2760

We'll continue traveling along the Wildwood Trail

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Witch's Castle, Lower Macleay Trail, Portland, OR 97210, USA

We'll visit the former rest stop known as the "Witch's Castle," and tell stories about the witches that do live here now.

Duration: 5 minutes

Pass By: Pittock Mansion, 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210-5099

At the Pittock Mansion, we'll visit the grounds and see the expansive view of the city and the mountains surrounding it. We'll have a chance to eat some snacks in some of the city's prettiest public gardens.

Stop At: Washington Park, 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221-2760

We'll cross Burnside and pass into Washington Park (in the afternoon, we'll reverse this and see Washington Park before Forest Park). Because of construction to a planned bridge over Burnside throughout summer and early fall 2019, our tour winds down through the NW Portland neighborhoods (with beautiful views of the city and mountains), and crosses Burnside at a light-metered crosswalk.

Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205-5886

The trail through Washington Park passes right by the Japanese Garden; morning tour guests have an option of ending the tour here for afternoon tea and a stroll through the garden (admission not included).

Stop At: International Rose Test Garden, 400 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205-5883

The Rose Garden will be the final stop of the morning tour, and the first stop of the afternoon tour; where we will most definitely stop and smell some of the 600 varieties of roses!

Duration: 15 minutes