easy hikes

Easy hikes

Under our rating system these are easy, low level activity with low sweat factor too which are good for kids. A nice calm relaxing walk is usually what is in-store for you. Most of the time these hikes are full of great views to just walk out to, grab a book and enjoy a few moments taking in whats around you.

Special notes:

Each page is listed with trips mainly in Oregon as well as Washington state. Some trips are located in other areas, these will be noted at the bottom of each
page under 'out of the PNW'.

Disclaimer - Any of the information provided is not in itself complete. There very well could be changes to routes, conditions as well as possible closures. Please check with the local ranger station prior to your trip to verify your route. We in no way take responsibility for any injuries, losses or changes on your trip. It is up to each individual to take responsiblity for their actions. Our listings are aimed at getting you excited to do something more than you have done. To get you out of your routine of couch sitting and movie watching.

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Bridal Veil Falls - Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

2.5 miles/200 gain/Columbia River Gorge off of exit 28 on HWY 84.This wonderful Spring, Summer and Fall jaunt turns into a ice climbers paradise in the Winter. So beware when the weather turns and the ice starts to form you may run into a few crazy locals hiking in with ice tools, rope and crampons. Hike down to the actual falls is 1/2 mile other wise your hike will stop at 1.5 miles.

Banks to Vernonia - Banks, Oregon

Full trail is 22 miles/200 gain/Banks to Vernonia off HWY 26, west of Portland. Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter can provide you with a wonderful walk. For the first 5 miles of the trail off of the Banks start, the hike is partly sunny/partly shade. The majority of this trail is in the trees with filtered sunlight. Throughout the trail there are start and stopping points, benches and tables with an occasional out-house. This trail is paved so it shares with runners, bikers and a horse or two.

Cape Alava - Olympic Peninsula, Washington

3 miles/no elevation gain/Olympic Peninsula. Beautiful day hike or great backpack trip out here on the Penn. If you don't camp you will wonder why you didn't. Boardwalks lead you once again out to the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. Camping requires prior permits (see Linksto take you to permit information). From camp you can hike up or down the beach to some of the most beautiful Ocean scenes available here in Washington. Green Trails map Ozette #130S trailhead A1

Cooper Mountain Nature Park - Beaverton, Oregon

5 miles/no elevation gain/West of Portland. Beautiful day hike or quick day walkabout. These trails up in the new Cooper Mountain NaturePark is a great place to take the kids or sit and take in the views. Placed on the top of Cooper Mountain, this park over looks the best views this mountain has to offer. By starting off down the trail you will be taken on loops, you will have the option of left or right. If you take the left, you will start down a gradual switch back through a few evergreens and will open up into the hillside followed by beautiful over up trails. If you go right you will immediately take in the view of the valley followed by trail continuous views as the trails follow the hillside down. Then you can follow the trail back up the switch backs up through the evergreen. This seems to still be my favorite way to go. There are 5 miles of trails total with in this park.. You can do 1 mile, all 5 or somewhere in between.

Lake Elizabeth - Central Cascades, Washington

1 mile/no elevation gain/Off U.S. Highway 2. This is a very short Spring, Summer, Fall hike, but expect to fight brush for most of it. Great with kids, although the brush is at face level for little ones. There are a couple camp sites and kids like to wade in the lake. This is a "sometimes road" (Call ahead - Money Creek Road No. 6420 / Skykomish Ranger District (360)-677-2414) The ranger will say a 4X4 is not needed, but I would HIGHLY recommend it. This is a rather remote area. Green Trails map Mt Si #174 trailhead C10

Multnomah Falls - Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

.5 miles/300 gain/Columbia RiverGorge off of exit 31 on HWY 84. You can see the falls from the road. This is a very popular hike just up to the falls themselves. Great place to take the kids, the falls are very impressive especially during the rainy season, but so are the crowds. Coming here is a site for many visitors to the area, but you have to go at least once while you are here or coming or going to another destination. You can hike past the falls themselves but that hike is located under the next heading.

Otter falls - North Bend, Washington

7 miles/560 gain/North Cascades, down Middle fork road all the way at the end. This is a beautiful area. Otter falls is a side trail off the main, its a short jaunt through the trees to get to the falls. Very pretty. If you are a climber and up for the changing challenge this rock presents a beautiful route to the top where you will get the view of your life. Very nice well worth it. Green
Trails map trailhead on Mt Si #174 M9-K10 falls on Monte Cristo #143 C3050

Portland Mara-fun kids run - Portland, Oregon

2 miles/level. PortlandOregon (October/yearly) This is a kids/parents 2 mile run through the streets of downtown Portland. Lots of fun with this one. Loud steel marching bands, music and a brief encounter with the Marathonrunners/walkers. This non-timed event is a perfect way to start your kiddo's out. The even coordinators make it fun, expose them to a real event and give the kids a great time. With our group I think there one adult per child, I think we had more fun than the kids! This is a good 5 star event, and for the $10 you pay to enter... you get a great t-shirt, food, free stuff... it is definitely an affordable event. Kids 6 and older can run without an adult, don't worry we saw plenty of them and they were well taken care of.

Robe Canyon trail - I-90 Cooridor, Washington

2.6 miles/400 gain/out of Granite Falls off the Mountain Loop Hwy North Cascades. This is a great kid trail. There are picnic areas along the way. The only stinky thing is that the down is first and the up is last. But definitely a doable hike with the tots.

Tiger Mountain 3 - Issaquah, Washington

5.6 miles/1480 gain/2000 viewpoint elevation. Very popular hike because it is close to town and yes there are 3 TigerMountains present this one is the 3rd of the 3. I hate to say that I've even done this but I put it here because I don't have very many items in this section. It actually is a pretty good hike, it will get you sweating especially if you are not in the greatest shape. We have used this route as an after work quick trainer. You can make it more difficult by taking the trail that goes straight up, not recommended for coming down if you have bad knees though. Pretty view of Cougar Mountainand you can usually see the hang-gliders below.

Troublesome Creek - Index, Washington

.5 miles/no gain. This little hike is located at the Troublesome Creek Campground which is nestled in a beautiful landscape. A nice little loop to break the kiddies in on and a little camping ta-boot! Green Trails map Monte Cristo #143 trailhead F5

Wildwood trail - Portland, Oregon

0-30 miles/ 0 - 1000 gain/ Portland (at time of these reports we traveled the trail March to the mid of April.) The trail is in Oregon just west of downtown. Green Trails map no 426S.(Look for details under each mile section.) This trail begins at either the southern more popular end by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial or the northern trailhead which is the less crowded end off of NW Germantown. The southern trailhead is the one that is more difficult, it has plenty of hills up and down. The Germantown entrance starts on a level and stays pretty level with a few ups and downs. This trail has so many variations to it there really is no end. The actual Wildwood trail is almost 30 miles long, one could hike the full length in a good long day. Otherwise you can break it up in to smaller portions and go as far as you'd like. I'd recommend if you are going to do the whole day jaunt that you park a car at the opposite end otherwise you are going to be hiking back. Very beautiful trail no matter what time of year. The folowing is a breakdown of the trial.

Wildwood trail - Mile 1 - Portland, Oregon

This is an excellent day planner with the kids. So many trails to explore and pretty much no where to get lost... as long as you stay together that is. You wind your way around the Wildwood and run into many trails that go all over the Arboretum teaching you what trees are what and what they are not. Very fun for the kids, pretty walk for adults and very moderate hills. The trails you run into have the following names: Cherry, Hawthorne, Elderberry, Knights Blvd, Overlook, Walnut, Maple as well as the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial loop, and others with no name yet. The trails go off in several directions and cross over
each other, just stick together... be safe.

Wildwood trail miles 0 - 5 Vietnam Memorial to Cornell road - Portland, Oregon

5 miles/350 frequent gain & loss. Mile 1 starts you just outside the Vietnam memorial. This is also a great place to learn what kind of trees are around you, this is because the Wildwood starts right in the Arboretum. If you want a nature trail or to appreciate some trees, just look at a tree, it has the name and info right on it. This is also a great mile to get cris-crossed and turned around, there are many intersecting trails within this first mile, if you doubt where you are... don't worry where there is a new trail... there is a sign. Most of the first mile of the trail is pretty easy, rolls up and down 100ft or so in elevation. Soon after you start mile 2, this is just after the Archery Range, this is also a parking area for those that wish to start here. Now you are heading into the most difficult part of the Wildwood trail, definitely a good trainer. For those that have hiking or backpacking trips planned this summer... to this section in a loop from the start to at least Pittock Mansion.Miles 3 - 5 wind you up and down some good hills. The paths are well worn and usually clear of debris so running and dual walker/ hikers will be in their comfort zone. This is also the more popular end of the Wildwood for trail regulars and dog walkers. Seems that almost all the
people that I crossed along the trail think that the leash law does not apply to them. Keeping that in mind watch your step, there is plenty of doggie-dukie at
this end, almost difficult to avoid. Intersecting trails: Vietnam Vet's Memorial, Japanese Garden trail, SW Cascade drive, SW Fairview blvd, W Burnside rd, Pittock Acres, Cumberland trail and NW Cornell rd.

Wildwood trail miles 5 - 16.5 Cornell road to Saltzman - Portland, Oregon

12.5 miles, 800ft loss & gain. (This section adds a dreaded mile because the Saltzman parking area is up at the top of Saltzman road, the us giving you an extra mile hike back up to the parking area.) Mile 5 is the parking lot, the first mile in goes down and up a very scenic route, very popular section of the trail. This area is also near the Audubon trails for those interested in the birdies. Mile 6 starts the trail and is up and down but very scenic make sure you watch for signs and turn left at the stone house, otherwise you will be on the lower Macleay trail. Several trails also intersecting, loops routes possible. Miles 7 - 9 are fun trail running routes, a few ups but not bad... just good solid fun trails. Miles 10 & 11 are pretty typical mild walking trails (however this time of year, March/April, are very muddy). Mile mark 11 - 13 turns into more of high mountain like hiking. For those that want the feel of really getting away... these are those. There is also a Nature trail loop within this area. Miles 13 - 16.5 are just brutally long. If you have been doing this trail like I did (5 - 16) you are wishing it done. This is great for endurance training, just be sure you parked a car at the top of Saltzman, because it's the last stop for parking cars for quite a painful while. Also be careful in this area, part of the trail slid off the hillside so passing is kind of tricky, but doable. At mile 16 you will see Saltzman road. The walk up Saltzman is just over 1 mile, being the extra mile that it is... the level wide ground is welcomed. Intersecting trails: Lower Macleay trail, Holman lane, Aspen trail, Birch, Wild Cherry and Dogwood trail, NW 53rd drive, Alder trail, Firelane 1, Nature and Chestnut trails, Firelane 2, Maple trail at 2 points, Firelane 3, Connector to Leif Erickson, and of course Saltzman rd.

Wildwood trail miles 16.5 to 22.5 Saltzman to Springville - Portland, Oregon

6.25 miles, 200ft frequent gains & loss. (This section adds a dreaded mile because the Saltzman parking area is up at the top of Saltzman road, the us giving you an extra mile hike down to the Wildwood trail.) Miles 16.5 to 22.5 at Springville road in the Spring time is of year is beautiful and very are consistent in travel. All the trees and plants are starting to get their leaves. Also now is perfect to see all the Trillium in bloom. This section of trail stays pretty level as you wind your way in and out of hillside. There are several intersecting trails toward the latter half around mile 19. The day we went it was a little bit muddy in areas, we each took a trekking pole this time and it helped us skate through the mud a little easier. Very nice section of the trail. When you are done with the Wildwood you get a nice 3/4 mile walk up Springville, when you get to the car... you are very glad you are there. Intersecting trails: Firelane 5, Trillium Trail, Oil line Rd, Gas line rd, Ridge trail, Hardesty Trail and of course Springville rd.

Miles 22.5 - 26.25 Springville to Newton road - Portland, Oregon

4 miles, 200ft+ frequent gains & loss. Mile 22.5 starts when you head back down Springville road, head left onto the Wildwood trail. You will find most of this trail continues to wind through the woods much like miles 19 - 22 did. There are moments when you will get glimpses of the Leif Erickson trail below you as well as a mountain view depending on the time of year and how many leaves are on the trees. Just prior mile 25 you will get dumped out on Germantown road. Being careful to cross the street, the Wildwood trail picks up again just down from the parking area. Now you are no longer twisting your way along you are making more of straight forward progress. At mile 25 you will hit a couple Firelanes, cross and keep going. This section of the trail is very pretty and unique. You get the feeling once again that you are in the mountains and back off the hills somewhere. The trail here is fun. Mile mark 26.25and stopping at Newton road will place you at another miles worth of hiking to get back to your car, that is if you parked at the Newton parking area, otherwise you might as well keep on going. Intersecting trails: Some unknown trail at mile 24, Germantown rd, Firelane 8, Firelane 10, and Newton rd.

Wildwood trail miles 26.25 - 30 Newton road to Newberry rd - Portland, Oregon

The final 4 miles. Here you are almost done, you have one final push and bump to get over, once you clear this... you are through. This section of the trail is bar far the more remote and untouched, definitely the path less traveled. The lay of the land is a little more serine and calm, it has less deciduous trees and many more pines and evergreens right from the get go. Mile marker 26.75is just inside the Wildwood trail off of Newton road. From this point you start your final roller coaster to the end. You hit BPA road at about mile 27.3, travel up the road just a few yard until you pick up the Wildwood once again. Soon you will come to a tree that has fallen across the ravine, you can either go the few yards around and stay on the path or you can legally opt for the tree crossing. If you have done the trail this far... you have by far earned the right to cross the tree. There isn't much water on this final stretch of trail, a couple far between spots, so if you are bringing a dog... make sure you have enough water for the pooch. Believe me by this point you are following the mile marker signs very closely by this point, in fact you may be looking so hard that you will miss mile marker 30. It is just above the final bridge of the trail, make sure you look for it, this is you photo op for proof of your endeavors. If you were going to choose only one section of the trail to do... do the final 5 miles, they are bar far the most
beautiful of it all, I don't want to tell you too much... you'll have to just come see it all for yourself. There is no parking area close to the trailhead off of Newberry rd, best to have someone either drop you here or pick you up from this section. Intersecting trails: BPA rd, Firelane 15 and Newberry rd.

Wallace Falls - Hwy 2, Washington

5.6 miles/1,100 gain/summit elevation 1400/Off of HWY 2, Wa. This is a great one for the whole family, these falls are beautiful, and a pretty decent trip. Even if the kids didn't make it the whole way they will have definitely learned a new appreciation for the great out-doors. You hike along the river all the way up, what better hike could you ask for. If you really feel up to it, you can go further up to Wallis lake, which is a very beautiful trip on snow shoes in the winter. However you have to take a little different route, but worth it. Green Trails map Index #142 trailhead C3480

Not in the PNW - but amazing enough to try this out

Na 'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens - Kauai, Hawaii

This is a must see while onKauai. We have friends that work here and this has got to be one of "the best places to work". You can take a walking tour through the gardens or jump on a cart and go for a ride. These gardens represent what Hawaiiis all about. Over 300 acres of lush tropical beauty like you've never seen. The following areas just tempt you: Shower tree park & Ka'ula Lagoon, International desert garden, carnivorous plant house, The Poinciana maze, Wild Forest garden, the beach and Kilohana plantation and never mind the over 70 bronze statues around the gardens themselves. If you don't get the opportunity to hike the Islands, have kids or too many plans, just come here and go for a tour, walk or jump on a shuttle cart. No matter how you travel and what your ability you can see every part of this garden and it is well worth it, this is what Hawaii is all about. www.NaAinaKai.com