Portland Forest Park Scenic Hiking Experience

When tour guests asks us, "what one thing should I not miss in Portland," we pick the 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 classic hike is focused around a Northwest Portland experience, and ends at the International Rose Test Garden, the Forest Park Experience (9 a.m. to noon). We have limited 1:30 p.m. departures. We occasionally offer an afternoon hike that starts at Goose Hollow, weaves through the neighborhoods and up into the park, the Goose Hollow to the Forest (2:30 to 6:30 p.m.). Both pass iconic spots; Japanese Garden, Pittock Mansion, and Witch's Castle; but take a different approach to the forest.

In Forest Park—within minutes leaving the street—you can forget, or wonder at the fact that you are still in a city.

Meeting Point

2772 NW Thurman St

2772 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97210, USA

For the 9 a.m. and 1:30 departures, we meet outside Haven Coffee, on NW Thurman, a few blocks from the #15 bus stop (NW Vaughn and 27th). Have Coffee has newly opened in the spot so you may not find it on Google.
The 2:30 p.m. hike meets at a different point

Not included:

• Gratuities (always appreciated)

What to expect:

Duration: between 3 hours and 4 hours

Forest Park

Forest Park, Portland, OR, 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.

2 hours

Wildwood Trail

4033 SW Canyon Rd, (trailhead: World Forestry Center), Portland, 97221-2760, Oregon

We'll continue traveling along the Wildwood Trail

2 hours

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.

5 minutes

Pittock Mansion

3229 NW Pittock Drive, Portland, 97210-5099, Oregon

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.

Pass by without stopping

Washington Park

4033 SW Canyon Rd, , Portland, 97221-2760, Oregon

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.

30 minutes

Portland Japanese Garden

611 SW Kingston Ave, , Portland, 97205-5886, Oregon

THE JAPANESE GARDEN HAS BEEN CLOSED PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC; please check with us about open hours. 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).

Pass by without stopping

International Rose Test Garden

400 SW Kingston Ave, , Portland, 97205-5883, Oregon

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!

15 minutes