This Incredible Hike in Oregon Comes With Constant Surprises

There are many different types of hikers. Some are more "outsidey" people rather than "outdoorsy" and look for hikes that are short, not too strenuous, and merely give them a breath of fresh air with a nice view. Others fall more in the middle and treat hiking like a sport, wanting a workout but not something that’ll take all day. Then, there are those who look at hiking like an experience and can spend a full day on a trail. For these people, the best hikes are those that can give them different adventures so things don’t become too monotonous. Luckily, there’s a hike in Portland, Oregon, that can provide this and more—the Wildwood Trail, which comes with constant surprises along its dirt path. 

At 29.5 miles with a 3,113 elevation gain, this hike can take almost twelve hours to complete and as a point-to-point trail, requires a bit of planning for transportation before and after. Even ignoring the considerable length of time it takes to complete this hike, the trail is very challenging and can be even more so when the famous Oregon rain comes calling. As a result, the Wildwood Trail is not ADA accessible, and preparation (in the form of bringing water and food and knowing your limits) is key.

Most hikers do the trail from south to north, starting at the shared parking lot for the World Forestry Center and the Oregon Zoo in Portland. As you hike, you'll come across several other bucket-list-worthy places near the trail that you may stop to visit such as the Hoyt Arboretum and the Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial. Then, only a little bit farther off the path comes the Portland Japanese Garden, the International Rose Test Garden, and the Pittock Mansion. Later, moving north, there are more informal places to visit, like the crumbling Witch’s Castle (an odd abandoned building covered in graffiti) and multiple viewpoints. 

Part of the Tualatin Mountain Range, this hike borders Portland. Although the land was originally considered for development, it was thought to be unsuitable and was instead made to be the Forest Park Conservatory in the late 1940s. The Wildwood Trail was created in the 1980s and was finished in 1999. It’s a busy trail due to its close proximity to Portland and multiple heavily populated areas, but the northern end of the trail will always be a bit less crowded. It’s the trail most praised for giving a full experience of Forest Park, and (like all trails in the park) is exceptionally well-maintained and is very well shaded. To many, it’s more of an experience rather than a hike, with people constantly coming in and out from different trails, dogs sniffing around, fun things to stop at and explore, and multiple stunning views. 

Maybe you’re there to see the flowers and mushrooms, recording your findings. Perhaps, you’re a bird fanatic and want to be surprised by how many different bird species you might be able to see. Or, you want the full Oregon forest experience, complete with stopping off at the attractions along the way, climbing through maples and firs, crossing over rivers, and dodging the blackberry brambles (if you know, you know). If it’s any one of these or all of the above, the Wildwood Hike in Forest Park is the full package you’re looking for, complete with a few extra surprises along the way!