Portland Urban Hiking Adventure
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore lush Forest Park trails
- Discover the mysterious Witches Castle
- Enjoy panoramic city views from Pittock Mansion
- Learn about Portland's rich history
- Experience diverse local flora and fauna
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour through Forest Park
- Visit to the Witches Castle
- Pittock Mansion exploration
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
We'll make our way into Forest Park from the starting point, one of the lowest-elevation points in the park, where we'll join the famous Wildwood Trail, a 43-mile long trail that has its origin over 110 years ago.
We'll make our way from Lower Macleay Trail and continue traveling along the Wildwood Trail. We will be on this trail for approximately 3 miles (5 km), for about 900 feet of elevation gain (300 meters)
We'll visit the former rest stop known as the "Witch's Castle," and tell stories about the witches that do live here now.
Pass by: 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.
We'll cross Burnside and pass into Washington Park (occasionally in the afternoon, we'll reverse this and see Washington Park before Forest Park). We typically wind down through the NW Portland neighborhoods, with beautiful views of the city and mountains, and cross Burnside at a light-metered crosswalk. If the weather is not friendly or the roses are not in bloom, we will often end in the NW neighborhood of Nob Hill/NW 23rd Avenue, with guest agreement.
Pass by: The Japanese Garden is closed on Tuesdays and can often be closed sporadically; 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).
THE ROSE GARDEN IS ONLY IN BLOOM FROM LATE MAY THROUGH OCTOBER. 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!
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour operates rain or shine; cancellations are rare.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Pets are not permitted on the tour.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during the hike.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly for the conditions.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Traveler reviews
This was an excellent...
This was an excellent hike. Our guide, Sarah, was very knowledgeable and very welcoming. Wear a good pair of boots, you'll need them. Get ready for some great views!
Loved this hike
It is a lot of up hill but nice and slow with many breaks. Sarah, was the best guide ever. She knew many plants, trees ,history. So knowledgeable, sweet and easy going. I'd definitely take this tour again. It was a great start to our first day in Portland. Mostly all in wooded area, a little through the urban to end in the rose garden of Washington Park. Highly recommend and wear good walking shoes, a lot is not paved.
Magic in nature
I had Sarah assigned as my tour guide and she was knowledgeable and lovely to converse with. She was patient and allowed me to take in the beauty of the forest.
Great escape for a conference attendee
I had such a wonderful time and got everything out of it that I wanted! The storytelling and history paired with the hiking route really made for a wonderful experience. I was in town for a conference and this was a great way to change up the week and experience some of the beauty of Portland!
A tough one for beginners but so worth it!
Sarah was absolutely lovely. The hike was a bit more steep than anticipated but it felt great to accomplish! Would definitely recommend as a must do!