Best Hikes Near Portland, Oregon
Portland sits at the intersection of three major outdoor regions: the Columbia River Gorge to the east, the Mount Hood corridor to the southeast, and the Coast Range to the west. Within a 90-minute drive, you have access to some of the best hiking in the Pacific Northwest. For a deeper look at the Mount Hood forest itself, the Mt. Hood National Forest guide covers the full range of recreation options beyond day hiking. Here are the hikes that are actually worth your time.
The Short List
If you're visiting Portland and can only do one hike, make it Ramona Falls for accessibility and scenery, or Timberline Trail (a section, not the full loop) if you want something more challenging. If you're a local building a hiking habit, work through this list seasonally.
Mount Hood National Forest (1 to 1.5 hours from Portland)
Mount Hood is Portland's mountain, and the national forest surrounding it contains the best hiking within driving distance of the city.
Ramona Falls
7.2 miles out-and-back, 1,000 ft elevation gain, moderate
A moss-draped basalt waterfall that fans out 120 feet wide. The trail crosses the Sandy River on a seasonal bridge and winds through old-growth forest before reaching the falls. This is the hike that makes visitors fall in love with the Pacific Northwest. Best from June through October. Wilderness permit required.
Read the full Ramona Falls trail guide
Mirror Lake
3.2 miles out-and-back, 700 ft elevation gain, easy-moderate
A short hike to an alpine lake with a postcard reflection of Mount Hood on calm mornings. The lake is small and the trail is popular, but the scenery is outstanding for the effort. Good for families and visitors wanting a quick Mount Hood experience. Best from June through October.
Read the full Mirror Lake trail guide
Timberline Trail (Section Hikes)
41.1 miles loop (full), strenuous
The full Timberline Trail circumnavigates Mount Hood in 41 miles and is one of the premier backpacking routes in Oregon. But you don't have to do the whole thing. Section hikes from Timberline Lodge are outstanding: a 6 to 8 mile out-and-back along the trail in either direction gives you alpine wildflowers, glacial views, and above-treeline terrain. Best from mid-July through September.
Read the full Timberline Trail guide
Gifford Pinchot National Forest (1.5 to 2 hours from Portland)
Just across the Columbia River in Washington, Gifford Pinchot National Forest offers some of the most dramatic waterfall and volcanic landscape hiking in the region. The Ape Cave lava tube near Mount St. Helens is one of the most unusual hiking experiences in the Pacific Northwest and pairs well with any Lewis River trip.
Lewis River Falls
9 miles out-and-back, 400 ft elevation gain, easy-moderate
A trail that passes three major waterfalls along the Lewis River: Lower Falls (the most photogenic), Middle Falls, and Upper Falls. The trail follows the river through old-growth forest, and the cumulative effect of three waterfalls in one hike is hard to beat. Best from May through November.
Read the full Lewis River Falls trail guide
Falls Creek Falls
3.4 miles out-and-back, 700 ft elevation gain, easy-moderate
A three-tiered waterfall dropping 200+ feet in a dramatic canyon. The hike is short and the payoff is big. One of the best waterfall-to-effort ratios in the region. Best from April through November.
Read the full Falls Creek Falls trail guide
Lava Canyon
6.4 miles out-and-back, 1,400 ft elevation gain, moderate-hard
A stunning trail through a canyon carved by the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption. The upper section is easy and paved (wheelchair accessible), while the lower section involves ladders, cables, and exposed traverses. The geology here is unlike anything else in the Pacific Northwest. Best from June through October.
Read the full Lava Canyon trail guide
Columbia River Gorge (30 minutes to 1.5 hours from Portland)
The Gorge is Portland's closest outdoor destination and home to some of the most famous waterfall hikes in the country.
Eagle Creek Trail
12 miles out-and-back, 1,200 ft elevation gain, moderate
The signature Gorge hike. Eagle Creek Trail follows a creek through a narrow canyon past multiple waterfalls, with the highlight being Tunnel Falls at mile 6, where the trail passes behind a 175-foot cascade through a blasted rock tunnel. This trail was severely damaged in the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire and has undergone extensive restoration. Check current status before going. Best from May through October.
Note: This trail is in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, not a national forest, so it is not covered in our trail guides. Current conditions and permits are available from the USFS Columbia River Gorge office.
Multnomah Falls
2.4 miles out-and-back, 700 ft elevation gain, easy-moderate
Oregon's most visited natural recreation site. The 620-foot cascade is visible from the parking area, and a paved trail climbs to Benson Bridge at the base of the upper falls. Continue past the bridge to the top for gorge views. It's crowded for a reason: the falls are spectacular. Timed-entry parking reservations required from late May through early September.
Note: Located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
When to Hike Near Portland
June through October is the primary hiking season for mountain trails. Mount Hood and higher-elevation trails may have snow into July.
April through November works for lower-elevation Gorge and Gifford Pinchot trails.
Winter is viable for Gorge trails that stay at lower elevations, but expect rain and muddy conditions.
Weekday mornings are dramatically less crowded than weekends at every trailhead on this list. If you can swing a Tuesday morning hike, you'll have a different experience.
Getting There
Portland's location makes all of these hikes accessible for day trips:
- Mount Hood (Government Camp): 60 miles, about 1 hour 15 minutes via US-26
- Gifford Pinchot (Carson/Cougar area): 70 to 90 miles, about 1.5 to 2 hours via I-84 and SR-14
- Columbia River Gorge (Multnomah Falls area): 30 miles, about 40 minutes via I-84
- Eagle Creek: 40 miles, about 50 minutes via I-84
All of these drives are scenic, and several pass through small towns with good coffee and breakfast options. The Mountain Mocha in Government Camp is worth a stop on the way to Mount Hood.
Portland is one of the best cities in America for access to hiking, and these trails are the proof. Whether you want a quick waterfall fix in the Gorge or a full day on Mount Hood, you're never more than a 90-minute drive from something outstanding. Before you go, review the Leave No Trace principles to help keep these trails in great shape for everyone.