Portland/Vancouver
There are a lot of great spots to run in my hometown. Here are just a few of the best.
- Wildwood Trail:
The Wildwood Trail is a 30 mile trail that spans the length of Forest Park. There are several points of access to the trail, including the Oregon Zoo and Lower Macleay Park. The trail is very runnable, and blue diamonds on the trees show mileage on the 1/4 mile. The best maps are provided by The Art Of Geography. (They should be reposted in 2011). - Leif Erickson Dr:
This old road runs parallel to Wildwood for 11 miles one way. It has a gravel surface, which is great for mountain bikes and for the days it is so wet that the trails are a mess. Mile markers every 1/4 mile make it easy to tell how far you've gone. While it is not as pretty as Wildwood, it is a great option for a faster run. - Waterfront loop:
With the completion of the East side promenade, Portland's waterfront is very runnable. I have mapped a 3 mile and a 10 mile loop. - Terwilliger:
With spectacular views of the city, challenging hills and a pretty roadside path, Terwilliger is a great run to do from downtown. Map. - Vancouver
A spectacular run on a calm day. The winds can make it a bit challenging, but you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Columbia River, Mt Hood and the airplanes coming in to pdx. You can even run through Fort Vancouver, which is well worth the trip in its own right. One of my favorite places to run. Map.
I'm only putting completed trail runs on here. There are a lot of great trails that I need to get out and explore; I will add to my list as I do them.
- Salmon Creek:
A fairly short drive from Portland, this trail has plenty to offer. Salmon Creek and the Salmon River are both gorgeous, and the trail alongside them is forested and tranquil. The trails meanders alongside the shore for a few miles and then cuts up the mountain with a wormburner of a hill. You are rewarded with stunning view of open cliffs and the forest below. The trail stretches on for many miles, so you can make a long run of it. Map to the trailhead. 19 mile loop map from Trail Factor (pdx's ultra group).
Salem
- Minto Brown:
Located along the Willamette River, Minto Brown offers miles of paved trails for running. I would often see Governor Kitzhaber running these trails with his wife and/or bodyguard when I first started running. The trails are especially pretty in summer, but they are often flooded during the winter. Map.
Bend
I have done a bit of local running in Central Oregon. These are the trails and spots I've enjoyed the most when I'm visiting.
- First Street Rapids Park:
I love parking here and running the trail out towards Archie Briggs canyon. The river is stunning, the air fresh, and I can't help but smile when I'm on the trail. Map (download the Deschutes River Trail Map). - Pilot Butte:
You know that when ultrarunning badasses like Sean Meissner and Krissy Moehl like to do PBR repeats, you've got a great place to train. Pilot Butte is a 500 ft, 1 mile climb to the top. Your lungs will feel it, but your heart won't mind when you see the peaks all around you. They like to repeat the feat; you might only want to do it once! Map.
