Walk There! 50 treks in and around Portland and Vancouver
Sustainable living › Walk there! › 50 treks in and around Portland and Vancouver
Explore regional neighborhoods and discover things that you never expected. The walking guide leads you through regional history and fresh-air exercise at a pace that lets you stop and smell the roses.
Walk There! is Metro's guide to great places to walk in the Portland-Vancouver area. The book leads you on 50 explorations of newly acquired urban natural areas, scenic parks, historic neighborhoods and fascinating main streets. Detailed maps and route descriptions help you discover the region's rich history and varied landscapes while you enjoy the benefits of walking.
Walking is one of the easiest and most effective ways to tighten your wallet and your waistline. If you drive less, you save more by avoiding the costs of gasoline and parking. Walking is one of the safest activities you can do to maintain your health. Mile for mile you burn as many calories walking as you would jogging, but with far less stress on your joints. Walking also helps the environment. You can reduce your carbon footprint by shifting short trips from your car to your feet.
Metro developed the guide in partnership with local governments and community groups and with support from Kaiser Permanente. The 50 walking route maps and descriptions are available to purchase for $9.95 in a pocket-sized book or can be downloaded for free below. The book can also be checked out at Multnomah County Library branches.
Getting there
Every Walk There! route begins and ends near a bus or MAX stop.More about public transit
North region
Enjoy city views and boost your heart rate climbing hidden public stairways in the lovely Alameda neighborhood or walk the beaches of Swan Island which offer close-ups of resident geese and osprey and the occasional bald eagle, beaver and even river otter.
| D | N | P | C | H | L | |
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4.0 |
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5.0 |
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6.2 |
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4.4 |
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0.9 |
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2.8 |
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4.6 |
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1.9 |
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3.5 |
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| 1.0 |
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2.1 |
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3.3 |
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| 5.6 |
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2.2 |
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D-Distance in miles | N-Nature walk | P-Power walk | C-City cruise | H-History walk | L-Lunchtime stroll
East region
Hike through Gresham's largest natural area with its mature forest and abundance of wildlife, then follow the Springwater Corridor Trail through the original Gresham town site or view the Brooklyn rail yards where trains have run since 1868.
| D | N | P | C | H | L | |
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2.2 |
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1.6 |
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3.7 |
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5.2 |
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2.4 |
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| 4.0 | ◊ | ◊ | · | · | · | |
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7.8 |
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2.4 |
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2.5 |
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3.2 |
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4.6 |
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| 2.3 |
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3.8 |
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4.0 |
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2.1 |
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D-Distance in miles | N-Nature walk | P-Power walk | C-City cruise | H-History walk | L-Lunchtime stroll
South region
Ride one of the nation's only municipal elevators, stroll a bluff-top promenade overlooking thundering Willamette Falls and pass some of the state's oldest homes or picnic along the confluence of the Tualatin and Willamette rivers while watching herons and sandpipers eat their lunch.
| D | N | P | C | H | L | |
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4.4 |
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2.6 |
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1.5 |
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1.6 |
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| 3.4 |
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1.0 |
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2.8 |
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D-Distance in miles | N-Nature walk | P-Power walk | C-City cruise | H-History walk | L-Lunchtime stroll
West region
Enjoy stunning views of downtown and the Cascades, 19th century homes, wooded paths and a ride on Portland's only subway or explore the charms and art scene of downtown Hillsboro.
| D | N | P | C | H | L | |
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| 3.95 |
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2.6 |
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4.0 |
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4.0 |
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4.7 |
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2.8 |
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| 2.4 |
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2.4 |
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3.2 |
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2.2 |
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5.4 |
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2.3 |
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D-Distance in miles | N-Nature walk | P-Power walk | C-City cruise | H-History walk | L-Lunchtime stroll
Safety responsibility
Walking routes depicted are advisory and illustrative. Metro has not undertaken any independent safety review of the sidewalks, trails and facilities. Users of this guidebook expressly agree that their use is at their sole risk. Guide users also assume the entire risk as to the quality and accuracy of the guide. Metro disclaims any responsibility for errors, omissions or inaccuracies in this guide. In no event shall Metro be held liable for any damages or loss of any kind related to the information in this guidebook.
To view PDF files, download free Adobe Reader. To translate PDF files into text to assist visually-impaired users, visit Access.Adobe.com.Walk There! files require Adobe Reader 5 or above.
walk there! partners
Kaiser Permanente
Walk There! is made possible in part by a grant from Kaiser Permanente. Partnering to create the walking guide is just one way Kaiser Permanente works to help individuals and communities thrive. Before or after you take a walk, take a moment to check out their wellness resources and information. Visit the Kaiser Permanente site
10,000 Steps® Program
Reap the benefits of a healthier lifestyle with an online program designed to help you increase your physical activity level and work toward a goal of walking 10,000 steps each day. Visit the 10,000 Steps® Program site
Need assistance?
Lake Boggan
503-813-7574
lake.boggan@oregonmetro.gov
Files and related materials
Files that are downloadable from this page
- Walk There! map legend 167K JPEG image | Published May 23, 2008
- Walk There! cover art 4.1M JPEG image | Published July 8, 2008
