The best 5 fall hikes in and around Portland
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Doesn't get much more autumnal than that. Photo: Craig Tuttle/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Hiking in the Pacific Northwest is unparalleled any time of year, but fall is when our region truly shines with waterfalls and vistas framed in the dramatic oranges, yellows and scarlets of the season.
- We've put together a list of five of our favorite fall hikes within an hour of Portland.
Silver Falls
Marion County
Difficulty: Moderate
The Trail of 10 Falls is easily one of the most scenic hikes in the state, with the South and North falls bookending this 7.2-mile loop.
- Throw in fall colors and you'll have a camera roll brimming with everything that makes Oregon so lovely this time of year.
- This is a popular hike, for good reason, so you'll find the most solitude in the mornings and on weekdays.
Glenn Otto Community Park
Troutdale
Difficulty: Easy
You don't need to go on some day-long trek to soak in the best of fall colors, especially at Glenn Otto Community Park.
- Grab yourself a seasonal snack at Sugarpine Drive-in and meander along the Sandy River for a perfect long lunch to break up the day with some striking foliage.
Warrior Rock Lighthouse
Columbia County
Difficulty: Easy
Did you know Sauvie Island is home to Oregon's smallest lighthouse?
- A relaxing 6-mile roundtrip stroll winds you through the quiet forest along the Columbia River — with sweeping views of both Mount Hood and St. Helens — before opening up on a beach where you can get an up-close look at the historic 28-foot tower.
Silver Star Mountain
Skamania County, Washington
Difficulty: Hard
If you're the kind of person who needs to work hard for a spectacular view, this 6.5-mile trek delivers with a nearly 2,000-foot climb to the summit. Your reward? A 360-degree view of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
- The real treasure may just be the crisp, autumn air and leaves fluttering to the ground along the way.
Maple and Wildwood Loop
Portland
Difficulty: Moderate
Don't knock staying close to home. Forest Park is made up of nearly 50% bigleaf maples — aka the trees with leaves that turn magnificent shades of golden yellow and crimson orange.
- This nearly 8-mile loop takes you through the center of it all. Expect some steep, muddy sections after a rainy day, though.