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Wildwood Trail - National Recreation Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.6 (40)
  1. Areas
  2. OR
  3. …Portland Metro and Mt. Hood
  4. …Portland
  5. Hoyt Arboretum
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“A 30-mile rolling singletrack trail through America's largest forested urban park. ”

Forest Park Conservancy
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Map Key

29.4

Miles

47.3

KM

96%

Runnable

951' 290 m

High

297' 91 m

Low

2,345' 715 m

Up

2,425' 739 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Pedestrians only.

Runner Notes

This is an good quality hard packed trail, although there are long stretches that are off camber, the surface is like concrete in places because of the high traffic it receives in the winter, and there is extensive topographic changes that will ware you down on a long through run. If you are planning a through run, starting at the south end is preferable. That way, you get the hardest climbing out of the way at the beginning and you avoid the potential crowds in the arboretum and around Pittock Mansion on nicer days.

For support, plan on caches at 53rd (mile 9) and Germantown Rd (Mile 24.5). Another option would be a single cache on Salzman Road which is roughly the half-way point.

Parking at the beginning is in a pay lot right at the Vietnam War Memorial.

Description

The Wildwood Trail, designated by the Secretary of the Interior as a National Recreation Trail, meanders for ~30 breathtaking miles, from the southern end of the trail at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington Park to the Northwest terminus of the trail at Newberry Road. There are blue diamond markers every quarter mile for the length of the trail.

For much of its duration, the Wildwood Trail overlooks the Willamette River as it stretches onward, through the northeast slope of the Tualatin Mountains between NW Skyline Boulevard and NW St. Helens Road. This trail provides for a quiet and serene run through varied and evolving forest ecosystem. The Wildwood enters Forest Park proper when it crosses West Burnside St. at about mile 3.

Flora & Fauna

In the spring, hillsides sparkle with trilliums amidst the sword ferns; hundreds of other kinds of flowers and shrubs bloom during the year.

Forest Park itself plays host to various species: more than 100 kinds of birds have been seen in the Park!

Contacts

Local Club: Forest Park Conservancy

Dec 9, 2024: Nasty Challenge 2024 Wrap-Up

Nov 27, 2024: Submit a Public Comment on the Harborton Reliability Project

Nov 15, 2024: PGE’s Harborton Reliability Project Would Result in an Irreplaceable Loss for the People of the Region

Shared By:

Forest Park Conservancy with improvements by Karl W and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 40 votes

#1

in Hoyt Arboretum

#284

Overall
  4.6 from 40 votes
5 Star
65%
4 Star
30%
3 Star
3%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Hoyt Arboretum

#6

in Oregon

#284

Overall
121 Views Last Month
16,414 Since Apr 7, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
3%
18%
62%
3%
15%
0%
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Photos

A couple start up the Birch Trail after leaving the Wildwood.
Oct 28, 2015 near West Haven, OR
A beautiful, gnarled tree seen along the Wildwood Trail.
Nov 6, 2015 near Cedar Mill, OR
A runner passes near the 11.5 mile marker on the Wildwood Trail, just below Fire Lane 1. The trail is popular for both hiking and running as it runs the length of elevation and Forest Park and offers a wide variety of nature. Bill Cunningham Photo
Sep 4, 2015 near West Haven, OR
A runner makes his way up the lower end of Fore Lane 5, just below the Wildwood Trail.
Nov 23, 2015 near West Haven, OR
Easy stroll through towering trees!
Aug 19, 2016 near Portland, OR
Two runners make their way along the Widlwood Trail on a wet Autumn day.
Nov 15, 2015 near West Haven, OR

1 Comment

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Check-Ins

Oct 2, 2023
Jimmy Lindsay
Ran smooth 28.6mi — 5h 15m
Jun 2, 2022
Trevor Edie
Great trail. 8mi
May 31, 2022
Ian Stuart
there are signs that the trail is closed due to bridge being put. It is basically a stream and easily passable. 20mi
Dec 5, 2020
JJPF B
Short central section is closed and needs repair, though it is passable. There at least 2 one-way sections present as well. 31mi — 6h 00m
Oct 2, 2020
Dane Tippett
Couple spots are closed/washed out. Made the mistake of pushing past those spots. Definitely wouldn't recommend. 30mi
Aug 8, 2020
Everett Barr
My first time! I did an out an back on a section in the middle, starting at the Germantown trailhead and heading south. Challenging and fun! 13.1mi — 2h 23m
Feb 25, 2020
Frank Cash
Muddy and fun! — 0h 34m
Jul 28, 2019
Jim L

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