15 Recommend Bike Trails in and around Portland OR

The Eastbank Esplanade is one of Portland’s most scenic routes for pedestrians and cyclists and it’s personally one of my favorite. The 1.5-mile-long walkway stretches along the Willamette River and offers some fantastic river views. I’d suggest even bringing your iPhone or camera and capturing a few Instagrammable moments along the way.

The esplanade starts at the Steel Bridge and ends at the Hawthorne Bridge, connecting to the Springwater Corridor and different neighborhoods on the east side of Portland.

For a scenic cycle along the river and a glimpse into urban renewal projects along the way, the Eastbank Esplanade is the route you should take. Stop along the way to take pictures of the river or check out the unique floating walkway—although you may want to walk your bike for that section.

Laurelhurst Park stretches over 26 acres in Portland’s Laurelhurst neighborhood. The park was designed according to the City Beautiful movement’s principles, which emphasized beauty’s importance in public works projects.

Laurelhurst Park features many trails for walking and cycling, including the Park Loop that takes you past the lake. The park is also a center for like-minded community members who enjoy cycling.

On the weekends, the Parks & Recreation department helps organize a Bike Gallery that assists with minor bike repairs and helps novices make the most of their machines.

Skyline Boulevard in Forest Park is one of the best bike trails around Portland, Oregon. This bike route is not for the faint of heart as it involves a fairly steep incline, but if you are an experienced cyclist and have the energy, the views are more than worth it.

Getting to Skyline Boulevard starts with a steep cycle up through Portland’s famous Forest Park. Once you reach the boulevard, you’ll be rewarded with a gentle road that’s nice and shady, thanks to all the trees.

You can follow the boulevard into the Oregon countryside or take it as far as you need to get gorgeous city views.

However, a word of caution before you go: Skyline Boulevard is also an active, quiet road, so you will need to share the road with vehicles.

The Banks-Vernonia State Trail combines trails and rails—the course goes alongside an abandoned railroad track. The trail follows 21 miles between Banks and Vernonia, two small towns about an hour outside Portland.

The trail, designed for cyclists, pedestrians, and horseback riders, takes you through scenic areas of the Oregon countryside.

Highlights along the way include several bridges, views of farmland, and the novelty of riding alongside the train tracks. Be sure to stop in either Banks or Vernonia at either end of the trail because both are picturesque small towns.

If you are passionate about mountain biking, you must visit McKenzie River Trail, even though it is a few hours’ drive outside Portla. This 25-mile trail through rugged terrain is a favorite for mountaineers and lovers of impressive scenery.

The McKenzie River Trail is not for the faint of heart or beginners. The first few miles are black-diamond rated as you must navigate through rock gardens.

You can also start at the middle of the trail, which is easier to navigate, and enjoy plenty of gorgeous scenery. Highlights include nearby Tamolitch Pool, waterfalls, and miles of old-growth forest.

Fanno Creek Trail is located in the Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation District, just a few miles west of Portland proper. This trail is short but famous, thanks to its ADA accessibility, which makes it a good choice for cyclists and pedestrians of all abilities.

The trail follows Fanno Creek and takes you through several landscapes, including forests and wetlands. Stop at any point along the path to check out nearby parks, observe the birds, or take in the scenery.

If you are starting at the head of the trail, check out the Garden Home Recreation Center, which offers special programming for children.

The Springwater Corridor is another trail in the Portland area that follows an abandoned set of rail tracks. It is part of the 40-mile Loop, which will eventually connect many of Portland’s major parks and recreation areas.

The Springwater Corridor is worth a trip because of the diversity of its scenery. Part of the trail passes through Portland’s vibrant neighborhoods, but you also cycle through majestic natural vistas, including buttes and wetlands.

The corridor connects several of Portland’s major parks, including the Leach Botanical Garden and Powell Butte Nature Park, so extend your trip with a visit to any of those.

The Hawthorne Bridge stands out even in a city with as many bridges as Portland. This truss bridge is the country’s oldest bridge with a functioning vertical lift. Its distinctive green and red color makes it easily recognizable along Portland’s waterways.

Although Hawthorne Bridge is a busy vehicle crossing, it is also a popular cycling path for commuters and recreational cyclists. Cross the bridge to say you’ve gone over this iconic piece of Portland’s landscape.

Extend your journey after you cross the bridge by continuing along the Eastbank Esplanade.

Terwilliger Trail is divided into two segments. One starts in downtown Portland and ends along I-5. The other segment has one endpoint on Terwilliger Boulevard and ends at scenic Lake Oswego after passing through Tryon Creek State Park.

Both sections of the trail offer excellent scenic views and plenty of tree cover while still feeling close to city life.

It is an easy route for cyclists of all levels, so this is an excellent option if you want to start taking your bike out on trails but don’t feel confident yet.

The area around Portland used to be heavily industrialized, so many trails, including Row River Trail, follow abandoned railroad tracks.

Besides a railroad track, the Row River Trail is distinctive because it is part of the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway. The trail takes you past the historic covered bridges of Lane County, which has the highest concentration on this side of the country.

However, the Row River Trail is not just important for its artificial landmarks. Check out the beautiful natural landmarks along the way, including the Cascades foothills and a scenic mountain lake.

Burnt Bridge Creek Trail, just over the state border in nearby Vancouver, Washington, is a popular destination for cyclists and nature lovers from the Portland area.

The trail takes you through a varied landscape that includes forests, grasslands, and even a few of Vancouver’s residential neighborhoods.

The trail is nice and flat, perfect for cyclists still building their endurance.

Marine Drive Trail is located alongside the scenic Columbia River, which forms some of the most beautiful vistas in the Pacific Northwest.

The trail is wide and paved without much elevation changes, perfect for a leisurely cycle.

Marine Drive Trail takes you by the river in several sections, giving you uninterrupted water views. Different sections of the trail provide access to a beachfront area or take you through wetlands home to migrating bird species.

Leif Erikson Drive in Forest Park is a favorite destination for Portlanders looking to get in a workout without leaving their city. Cyclists have to share the trail with runners and pedestrians, but there is plenty of space for everyone on this 10-mile trail.

The trail is surrounded by trees, offering plenty of shade cover if you are trying to get away from the sun (or the drizzle).

The trail has many elevation changes, making it a bit more challenging, but technically, it is very well maintained.

Rocky Butte is one of the extinct volcanoes in Portland. Not many cities in the United States can boast of having one volcano, let alone several, but Portland has a few extinct cones and buttes within its city borders.

Rocky Butte is the best for visitors searching for great views of Portland. It is one of the highest and doesn’t have trees on top, offering clear views of the city and the famous peaks of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens.

Rocky Butte is extinct, so you don’t have to worry about lava when you go there, although your legs may feel as if they are burning—this is a pretty steep trail!

Mount Tabor is another one of Portland’s extinct volcanoes. Unlike Rocky Butte, its slopes are covered in trees, which obscure the views somewhat but make for a more pleasant cycling experience.

Don’t forget to check out the picturesque reservoirs or go to the top of the mountain for a view of Mount Hood.