Hiking at Hoyt Arboretum

Hoyt Arboretum has 12 miles of trails through a forest of trees from around the world, two miles from downtown Portland. The easiest walk is the 0.5-mile Fir Trail loop from Stevens Pavilion. The most popular short hike is the 0.9-mile Spruce, Wildwood and Redwood loop to the Redwood Deck. Trails mix paved, dirt and gravel with some hills and stairs, and leashed dogs are welcome.

The Three Marked Loops

Hoyt Arboretum Friends marks three loops on its trail map. All start near the Visitor Center.

30-Minute Loop: Fir Trail (0.5 mile)

Follow the triangle symbols. It starts at Stevens Pavilion across the street from the Visitor Center and is fairly level. You skirt a dark spruce forest, pass through the Red Pine Collection and walk through hedges of salal and stands of fir before ending back at the pavilion. Hoyt Arboretum Friends calls it an easy stroll.

1-Hour Loop: Spruce, Wildwood and Redwood (0.9 mile)

Follow the squares. From the pavilion the route passes spruces from around the world and the Wedding Meadow, then drops into tall redwoods and stops at the Redwood Deck. This is the loop most first-time visitors want. See Redwood Trail and Deck.

2-Hour Loop: The South Side (1.25 miles)

Follow the circles. Overlook, Wildwood, Hawthorn, Maple, Wildwood and Holly trails take you through broadleaf trees and conifers, open meadows and changing elevation in the southeast part of the arboretum. Hoyt Arboretum Friends recommends a side trip to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. In October and November this loop passes the Maple Trail's fall color.

Longer Hikes

• The Wildwood Trail. It starts at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and runs 2.85 miles through the arboretum before crossing W Burnside on the Barbara Walker Crossing. About half a mile past the arboretum's north edge you reach Pittock Mansion. See Wildwood Trail and Pittock Mansion.
• Hike with Hoyt. Free volunteer-led hikes from June to October cover up to 4 miles on paved, dirt and gravel trails with ups and downs and occasional stairs. Sign up the same day at the Visitor Center. See tours.

What the Trails Are Like

• Surfaces: paved, packed dirt and gravel. Some routes have stairs, steep grades and roots.
• Hills: the Redwood Trail, for example, is mostly downhill from the Visitor Center with a short pitch of up to 25 percent; you climb back.
• Signs: wooden posts at junctions show trail names and distances. Carry a map anyway.

For paved, wheelchair-friendly routes see paved and accessible trails.

Good For

• A forest walk inside the city, with redwoods, giant sequoias, spruces and firs.
• Families, on the short marked loops with restrooms at the Visitor Center.
• Dog walks, on leash.
• Runners linking into the Wildwood Trail and Forest Park.

Maybe Skip If

• You want to ride a bike. Bikes stay on the roads. Forest Park has fire lanes open to bikes.
• You need a fully flat route. Stick to the paved Overlook Trail and Visitor Center Loop.

Safety

Coyotes live in the arboretum and are often seen in daylight. Portland Parks & Recreation advises keeping children close and dogs on leash, and making loud noise if one approaches. For problems call Park Rangers dispatch at 503-823-1637, or 911 in an emergency.