11 Amazing Oregon Hikes Under 3 Miles You’ll Absolutely Love
Oregon is full of wonderful hiking trails that lead through just about every type of landscape. From meandering mountaintop trails to lush waterfall hikes, taking an under 3 mile hike in Oregon will amaze you through and through. Lace up your boots and hit some of the best hikes in Oregon!
Located in the Columbia River Gorge, Wahclellah Falls is a stunning waterfall you can reach on a two-mile hike that weaves through the most magical scenery.
Leslie Gulch is a little known hidden gem tucked away in the southeastern corner of Oregon. This otherworldly landscape is a great place to explore. One way to see the area is to take a hike on the wonderful, 2.4-mile Juniper Gulch Trail. We recommend only going when it has been consistently dry; Leslie Gulch is much harder to access when there has been rain in the area.
Located near Mapleton, the Sweet Creek Trail is a fabulous, family-friendly hike that's 2.2 miles long and features lush woodsy scenery, a glittering creek, charming bridges, and a magical waterfall at the end.
As always, be sure to respect your surroundings by following the Leave No Trace policy.
So what do you think about these 3 mile hikes? Do you think they’re some of the best short hikes in Oregon? Are there any you’d add to the list? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
And if you’re looking for more of the best hikes in Oregon, here are some of our favorite easy Oregon hikes that are under a mile!
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Best hikes in Oregon
What are some bucket-list-worthy hikes in Oregon?
Hiking adventures abound in the Beaver State, and for those looking to check a few items off their bucket list, we have compiled this list of five hikes in Oregon that we think everyone should try at least once. One in particular is a trek that pretty much every avid Oregon hiker has done at least once: the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park. At 9,000 glorious acres, Silver Falls State Park is the largest and most popular state park in Oregon, and it's easy to see why once you see all this wondrous place has to offer. And located in Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls is one of the most enchanting hikes in all of Oregon. This beautiful trail winds through a lush, green forest, passing 10 stunning waterfalls (four of which you can walk behind). In addition to its dazzling falls, Silver Falls State Park is home to an amazingly diverse array of ecosystems and terrain -- the park boasts a lush temperate rain forest of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, Oregon grape, and other native trees and plants. There really is nothing quite like the trail!
What are some scenic hikes in Oregon?
While the Oregon Coast and Columbia River Gorge often steal the spotlight in terms of outdoor recreation, Smith Rock State Park is one of those places that often flies under the radar. One hike, the Misery Ridge and River Trail, might have an ominous name, but it's wonderful. This trail is four miles out and back, and has a 1,000-foot elevation climb, so be prepared for a workout. But the views? Totally worth it. Another immensely scenic hike in Oregon is the Wildwood Trail in Portland. In a city with well over 650,000 people, you'd think it would be hard to find a quiet spot. Not so! Forest Park is so large and secluded that you can actually find a little bit of peace and quiet here. Hop on the 29-mile-long trail at any of its entry points, and enjoy some of the most incredible views of Rose City. We're partial to stopping at Pittock Mansion, which offers sweeping views of downtown Portland and beyond. Check out our list for more scenic hikes in Oregon.