Moderate hikes
Under our rating system we define the following as moderate gain, and steady activity levels. Bring a lunch or a few snacks and maybe something to sit on, these hikes are some of the ones you may just want to hang out for awhile with. These hikes can also great in the winter as snowshoe routes and usually good for cross country-skiing.
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.
Need help on how to train for hiking?
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.
Need help on how to train for hiking?
Barclay Creek - HWY 2, Washington
8.4miles/1700gain/2422 lake elevation. This trailhead is just off of HWY 2 as you pass out of Baring. Great hike up to the fire tower. Hike the tower to get a great view. If you do be prepared for someone to be living up there. This is one of those out of the way areas that the Forest Service rents out to peeps from time to time. Usually its a ranger present but very friendly. make sure you sign the book if you are there.
Larch Mountain - Columbia Gorge, Oregon
5.5 miles/200 gain/Columbia RiverGorge off of exit 22 on HWY 84. This is a trail you can park a car at the bottom of and hike from the top of LarchMountain down to the bottom of Multnomah falls, or go from the bottom up. You can also do the 5.5 mile loop within its self. You will wind your way past some pretty dense old trees and the view from the top is pretty incredible. As long as its a clear day you can see Mt Rainier, St Helens, Adamsand Hood all from the same spot.
Photo by our photographer Sabrina Eickhoff
Photo by our photographer Sabrina Eickhoff
Mirror Lake - Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
5 miles/Cascades, I-90, top of Snoqualmie pass. This is a great trip along the PCT just south of Snoqualmie Pass.You can follow the PCT through blueberry fields and marshes up the path to a great lake that is provides a beautiful reflection of Silver Peak, this trail only takes you about 2 miles round trip, we went via the bottom down by Twin lakes and up. Water is cold, but there are a number of camp areas in this location - great place to rest for the night when going along the trail, or just a good place to head to for the weekend. Green Trails map Snoqualmie Pass #207 trailhead C3468
Mt/Lake Margaret - Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
7.4miles/1200gain/5600 summit elevation/Cascades off I-90 corridor off exit 52 on road 4832. Great trip. Kinda tricky with kids but very nice day get away. You'll love the lake, jump in if you don't mind swimming with a couple frogs. You can see the bottom forever, there is nothing like a cool lake in the heat of summer. Green Trails map Snoqualmie Pass#207 trailhead B4284
Multnomah Falls - Oregon
2.5 miles/ColumbiaRiver Gorge 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.
Oneonta Gorge - Columbia Gorge, Oregon
1 mile round trip/Columbia River Gorge exit just past Multnomah Falls on HWY 84. You can park at Horsetail falls (and walk .3 of a mile) or just over the bridge to the West of Horsetail falls. This trail/creek is found just past the roadside tunnel under the bridge, take the stairs down. Best shoes to do this in are Keens, or something of the like. Flip-flops I found out don't work so well, tend to spend more time chasing after them as they float down stream. If you are trying to stay on the "trail" you can follow it for as long as you can, eventually you will find yourself in water. The water will be quite chilly no matter what time of year you go. Its nice to try to time it so the sun is overhead and you get some heat in there otherwise ... you'll be a little chilly all around. As you wade your way up stream you will find yourself crawling up over big rocks, log jams and in some parts up to your chest in water. IT'S GREAT!!! Your reward at the end is quite beautiful, watch out overhead for falling rocks... happens a little more often than you'd think.
If you want to extend your trip and warm up a bit, at the bridge head down stream. You will crawl your way to the Columbia River, time you'll be in the sun (hopefully) past a lake and through a tunnel of your choice. Adventurous older kids love this one.
If you want to extend your trip and warm up a bit, at the bridge head down stream. You will crawl your way to the Columbia River, time you'll be in the sun (hopefully) past a lake and through a tunnel of your choice. Adventurous older kids love this one.
Pratt Lake - I-90 Corridor, Washington
9 miles/1600 gain/4,080 lake elevation/Cascades I-90 corridor. Great easy day in the mountains, great area to take friends or family that like to hike but haven't done too much of it. You can bring up a fishing pole, inner tube or just the fact that there is some great camping up in this area. Just make sure you fill out the permit at the bottom and bring a can of bug off, at times those little suckers can be kinda nasty.
Rattlesnake Ledge - I-90 Corridor, Washington
4 miles/1200 gain/Cascades I-90 corridor. This hike takes you part way along the 11+ mile trail to the top of the Mountain. The ledge is also known as an approach to a climbing area. The trail is actually only about 2 miles in then 2 out, but if you are packing all your climbing gear it could seem like forever. This is a great winter hike, a pair of instep crampons will make your trip much easier, it will keep you from sliding down on your tush, you'll also get looks from other sliders like you are Jesus walking on water (it's fun messing with their minds).
Shi Shi - Olympic Penn, Washington
3 miles.
Silver Falls - Salem, Oregon
Jaunt to 8.7 miles of loop trails/up to 200ft gain per trail/falls/I-5 to Silver Falls State Park. Great place for the kids and the adventurous adult alike. You have the privilege of picking how long you'd like to hike around, where and what falls you'd like to see, pick one or pick them all. We of course went for all in one shot, beautiful, very well worth it. With over 9,000 acres of forest you won't be bored, you can hike, ride, bring a horse or just poke around in historical areas, we chose to hike. Depending on what end of the park loop you start at you will either gain more elevation or loose elevation. Considering you are hiking along a path of waterfalls, the terrain ascends or declines as the water pools and flows over the next set of falls and so forth. Most of the falls are within a short distance of each other, some a little farther apart either way there are 10 beautiful waterfalls in an 8 mile loop. Of course the best time to see the falls are when they are in full running, so either Spring, Fall or after a good hardy rain. The trails are dirt, gravel in parts, a couple are paved and a few stairs to help with the hills. The inner trails you can take and their distance are as follows: Trail of Ten Falls/Canyon trail (8.7miles), Rim trail (2.7 miles), Maple Ridge trail (1 mile), Winter Trail, Howard Creek loop (3miles), Campground trail, Buck Mountain loop (6.2 miles), Smith Creek Trail (2.5 miles), Cutoff trail (.7 miles), 214 trail (1.7 miles), Perimeter trail (seasonal - 5.9 miles), Rackett Ridge trail (seasonal - 2.2 miles), Lost Creek trail (3 miles). There is a bike trail that goes along the rim of the trial that is about 4 miles of paved trail. Also you will be provided a map on entrance to the park in trade for your $3.00 donation, $25 yearly.
Smith Rocks - Terrabonne, Oregon
1 - 10+ miles/1300 gain/Central Oregon, this is a Climbing mecca of the US of A. Even though there is lots to climb here, there are plenty of places just to hike around. This is also a popular mountain biking area. You park in the upper lot, make sure you pay for your day pass or you'll get a ticket. Hike down into the canyon and follow the trail over the Crooked River. From here you can jaunt along the river either way or head straight up for a more birds eye view. Its a good idea to know exactly were you are headed first. There are plenty of tricky areas that the local climbers have no trouble getting up but for the day hiker with no climbing gear or experience you'll end up in trouble. Bring a camera, there are Eagles that nest up in some of the walls, very fun to see. Also the river is not suitable to drink or even wade in, it is mainly run off from farm lands containing many of chemicals, thus the marking on the rocks you will see, its just there to look at. Smith also provides great camping for those multi-day adventurers.
Lake Talapus - I-90 Corridor, Washington
4.8 miles/1,000 gain/Cascades I-90 corridor. Also a great easy day in the mountains, great area to take friends or family that like to hike but haven't done too much of it. Good one for older kids and those that have never backpacked before. You can bring up a fishing pole, inner tube or just the fact that there is some great camping up in this area. Just make sure you fill out the permit at the bottom and bring a can of bug off, at times those little suckers can be kinda nasty.
Triple Falls - Columbia Gorge, Oregon
4.5 mile loop/700 gain/Exit 35/Ainsworth Park. Park at Horsetail falls. This is the first of many waterfalls on your journey. Trailhead is just south and east of the parking lot and falls, you should be shot if you can't see it. Follow the trail as it switch-backs up the hillside and into Ponytail falls. Continue up trail as it meanders its way through the hillside and past more water. When you reach an intersection follow to your left, this will take you up into Triple falls. The trail continues on if you want to keep heading in. This will take you on a much larger loop and will require possible multiday equipment, so make sure you are prepared. If you head right at the intersection this will take you back down to the scenic hwy and entrance to Oneonta Gorge. Also possible to get back to your car by way of the road. When you hit bottom just go to the right.
Wildwood trail miles 5 - 9.5 (53rd drive) - Portland, Oregon
30 miles/0 - 800 gains and loss/Portland Oregon just west of downtown. GT map no 426s. Mile 5 is the parking lot, the first mile in goes down and up a very scenic route, very popular section of the trail, hills for sure in this area. 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.
