You don’t need to drive to the Gorge to burn off all those mashed potatoes. Here are my favorite spots for a short (or long) hike in our own PDX backyard.
East Side
- Laurelhurst Park | Nice and accessible with wide, paved paths and adorable views of bobbing ducks on the lake.| Open 5 am – 10:30 pm | SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd & Stark St
- Mt. Tabor Park | This is my favorite spot for night walks now that the sun deserts us at this ungodly hour! The upper and lower reservoirs are ringed with lights. This is the ideal spot to watch the sun set over the city. | Open 5 am – Midnight | Enter at SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street
- Peninsula Park | The showy rose blooms may be over for the year but it’s still a beautiful park for North PDXers to stroll or play tennis year round. | Open 5 am – Midnight |700 N Rosa Parks Way
- Pier Park | St. Johns’ crown jewel featuring mega tall trees and a massive disc golf course. Extend your walk by trekking over to the scenic Cathedral Park under the St. Johns Bridge. | Open 5 am – Midnight | 10325 N Lombard St
West Side
- Hoyt Arboretum (In Washington Park) | Get lost in the trees! Over 2,300 tree species from 6 continents. 12 miles of hiking trails over 189 acres. |Open 5 am – 10 pm | 4000 SW Fairview Blvd
- Forest Park | Bring the binoculars for birdwatching as you hike part of the 30-mile Wildwood Trail, which passes by the pristine grounds of the Pittock Mansion (The Mansion interior is closed Thanksgiving Day tho)| Open 5 am – 10 pm | NW 29th Avenue and Upshur Street to Newberry Road
- Tryon Creek State Natural Area|8 miles of hiking trails and a paved, all-abilities trail. 8 bridges and a wetland boardwalk. The only Oregon state park within a major metropolitan area! | Open 7 am – 5 pm | 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd
East AND West
Tilikum Crossing | Experience Bridgetown … on a bridge! In fact, it’s the first major bridge in the whole USA to say Yes to public transpo, bikes and pedestrians but NO to cars. The bridge connects the South Waterfront to the Central Eastside district.
Hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving. See you on the trails!
susieknowspdx.com 