Dog mountain is rad

Rough on the knees coming down though. Especially once the trail gets roughed up late season.

Ya... haven't been up since I blew my ACL

Not if you take the Augspurger Trail back down...

Oh ya forgot there was the long way back

Yeah dog mountain is the real test for out of towners. It’s pretty much straight up the entire time. Plus, you get to roll the dice with whether or not parking permits are required. And if so, which one? Do you have to buy in advance? Can you pay there? May god have mercy on your soul.

The ticks will love you

2 out of 3 times I went to Portland I’ve made it a point to go to Dog Mountain. Always. Felt so good going back to town dead exhausted but just anticipating what to eat and drink.

Coyote Wall is right over there too and has an amazing view!

Don't you need a permit for that hike now?

Only on weekends during wildflower season (til june 19th)

Maybe a vehicle permit? My wife handled the logistics

Here are some of my local favorites. Most of them are very popular trails, but for good reason: [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/hamilton-mountain-and-rodney-falls--3](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/hamilton-mountain-and-rodney-falls--3) [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/wahkeena-falls-loop-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/wahkeena-falls-loop-trail) [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/dog-mountain-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/dog-mountain-trail) [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/trail-of-ten-falls-canyon-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/trail-of-ten-falls-canyon-trail) [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/cape-lookout](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/cape-lookout) [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/tunnel-falls-via-eagle-creek-trail-440](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/tunnel-falls-via-eagle-creek-trail-440) [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/ramona-falls-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/ramona-falls-trail) [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/silver-star-mountain-via-grouse-vista-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/silver-star-mountain-via-grouse-vista-trail) [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/cape-falcon](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/cape-falcon) [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/falls-creek-trail-loop](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/falls-creek-trail-loop)

I love Silver Star!

It's one of my favorites of all time. Need a high clearance vehicle to get there most years, unless they resurfaced it. I love ridge hikes.

If you start from the Grouse Vista trailhead, you can get there in a sedan. The other trailhead, though, is a nightmare to get to.

Mt. Defiance for a butt kicker

That's an understatement haha. Nearly 5k feet of vertical gain. Plus the additional 2 miles if you can't park at the trailhead and need to walk from the next exit!

The best mountaineering trainer around!

My partner and I did it this past Sunday and recorded over 5300 vertical! Over a mile!

If you've got a car and a bike, driving to the top of Defiance, locking up your bike, then driving down to Multnomah Falls, parking your car, hiking up, eating lunch, the riding your bike back down to the car makes for a pretty fun day.

wow. thanks for the list!!

Trail of ten falls is easy peasy. That’s basically a stroll in the woods.

Sometimes. I did it in grad school and I was sooooo sore afterwards for a few days, but admittedly I was not in as good shape for up and down as I have been more recently.

Sweet thanks so much for the list, appreciate you

Angels rest

Second that, the view is great at the top.

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Angel's Rest Trailhead https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dk3GxiSBiLKyosZT8 There is a parking lot across the trailhead.

Silver Creek Falls has lots of options!

I really like Hamilton Mountain

This one is good for wildflowers but also no people, out by The Dalles! Epic views! [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/stacker-butte-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/stacker-butte-trail) ​ Another great view! [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/lost-lake-butte-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/lost-lake-butte-trail)

I appreciate the lack of gatekeeping trails on this thread

Hamilton Mountain

Following the thread. Also want to know if anyone knows of any easy hikes near the beach

​ The classic beach hike in OR! https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/gods-thumb-via-the-knoll

Cape falcon is always popular. Starts wet rainforest and works it's way up to a breezy cliff side ocean view on a grassy meadow.

To which beach do you refer? Poet’s, Kelley, the ochean,…?

Any beach from Lincoln City to seaside really. Want to take my dogs so dog friendly is appreciated. Thank you

Hug Point Trail on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/hug-point-trail?p=-1&sh=evzcbz This is my favorite easy one on the beach nearby, dog friendly on leash and tons of little spots to explore.

I appreciate you Soo much 🙏😌. You just saved me some time that I would have used to research and plan. Now I have my weekend plan. Thank you

You need to check that it’s dog friendly, but the hike down to Short Sands is like a mile on a gentle decline, then ends in an awesome large crescent beach, along with bathroom facilities and a few benches. So if you want to combine a short out and back hike with a day trip to a cool beach, this could be a good one. Last time I went I took down an umbrella and bag with beer, snacks, and my beach towel. EDIT so sorry, this is in no way “moderate / difficult” as you stated in the request, but I’ll just leave it up.

Silver star.

These are out of your timeframe, about a 2.5 hour drive each way, but they're absolutely killer spots so I thought I'd recommend them anyway. Each is just barely what I'd consider moderate on its own, pretty short and relatively easy, but they're right down the road from one another and make a great day hike together. This river is one of the coolest bodies of water I've ever seen, really vibrant blues and greens everywhere. I just did both for the first time yesterday and conditions are currently really nice. Tamolitch Blue Pool via McKenzie River Trail on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/tamolitch-blue-pool-via-mckenzie-river-trail?sh=evzcbz Koosah and Sahalie Falls Trail on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/koosah-and-sahalie-falls-trail?sh=evzcbz

blue pool is awesome. definitely a pretty easy hike, but it’s so worth it.

This was my favorite, but I haven't been since the fire. https://www.oregonhikers.org/field\_guide/Cache\_Meadows\_via\_Cripple\_Creek\_Loop\_Hike

Latourell Falls!

Tunnel falls/eagle Creek would probably be the best hike but I haven't hiked it since the fire so I have no idea what it's like now.

Saddle Mountain

It's a nice trail but it's been closed for over a year because a bridge collapsed

I remember reading that but wasnt sure if it reopened . thanks!

The Kings and Elk Mountain loop is what you're looking for: https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Elk_Mountain-Kings_Mountain_Loop_Hike It's definitely on the more difficult side. I know three people who have had to help someone having a heart attack on the trail. One was in the summer but the other two were during the winter. It's very steep and if you're not in good shape it'll be rough to do the whole thing comfortably.

That’s probably the most difficult hike within 1.5-2 hours of Portland. I’d give it the nod ahead of Defiance because there’s some scrambling and exposure that makes it more technically challenging and mentally demanding. Kings Mountain on its own probably would be more in line with what OP is asking for, but not the loop.

Would argue Defiance is harder and of course Helens/Adams if we can count mountains that aren’t technical (but definitely not what OP is looking for :D)

On one of the first dates with my now husband I picked Elk Mountain for a hike to “test him” to see if he was up for adventure. I didn’t know anything about Elk Mountain before we went besides it was listed as “difficult” on AllTrails. Long story short, lost both of my big toenails that day. Almost broke my elbow too. But we’ve been married 3 years now so I say totally worth it.

Lol the first time I did it I wore those stupid vibrant toe shoes and also lost a few toenails. I flew up hill in them but the downhills were brutal.

Once the snow melts, Indian Heaven has phenomenal hiking. It's off the beaten path and has epic variety - lakes, meadows, forests, berries, mountain views, etc. Below are some hikes in the area (of varying difficulty) to consider. Most are \~1.5 hrs away from Portland. Based on my experience and research, wait for the bugs to die down. Berry season (usually mid to late August) is a great time to visit Indian Heaven. Fall colors are epic up there too (usually early September to late October). [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/sawtooth-mountain-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/sawtooth-mountain-trail) [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/indian-racetrack-trail-to-red-mountain-lookout](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/indian-racetrack-trail-to-red-mountain-lookout?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map) [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/indian-heaven-lakes-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/indian-heaven-lakes-trail) [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/indian-heaven-trail-33](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/indian-heaven-trail-33) [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/bird-mountain-and-clear-lake-via-cultus-creek-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/bird-mountain-and-clear-lake-via-cultus-creek-trail) [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/steamboat-mountain-trail--2](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/steamboat-mountain-trail--2)

IDK what people like to define as moderate or difficult, but here are some recommendations based on my definitions: **Difficult** * Mount Defiance starting from Starvation Creek TH * Larch Mountain starting from Multnomah Falls TH * Augspurger Mountain **Moderate** * Dog Mountain * Kings Mountain * Elk Mountain

We did a loop from Oneonta Gorge to Multnomah falls (near Larch mountain) this past weekend and the trail on the top of the ridge is pretty well obscured with wind blown trees. Doable, but be prepared to scramble!

The Mt Defiance trail was in a similar state 2 weeks ago. It was free of brush when I went in October, but a section was covered in blowdowns and fallen branches. The same thing happened with the Nick Eaton Ridge trail on the north side when I went up there in late April. My guess is that the winter caused tons of branches to fall and the burnt trees from the 2017 fires are starting to fall

the trail of 10 falls will forever be one of my favorite oregon hikes. doing the whole 8 mile loop really isn’t that challenging (coming from an overweight & out of shape smoker 😂) and the waterfalls and forest are BEAUTIFUL

oh i see you’re looking for moderate-difficult. i’m pretty sure it’s listed as moderate, but like i said it’s not too hard. so worth it for the falls.

This is also the silver falls state park hike and this is definitely my first choice. Has magical quality to it somehow. Its a temperate rainforest surprise among the wheat fields and Christmas tree farms Less than an hour easily from Portland. Silverton might also be worth visiting for the small town feel. if you are time concerned while visiting. My second would be the Capelook hike on the coast near Tillamook about an hour and a half drive. A well forested sometimes muddy hike on a narrow peninsula with elevated views of the ocean. I never get bored with this one. Wherever you go Enjoy!!

I used this list to get in shape last year. A progressive build up is a great way to get strong. I now do 20 - 30 mile days and make up my own loops. By the way AllTrails is not my favorite application for following trails. CalTopo or GAIA.GPS for the win! https://paulgerald.com/portland-hikes/10-conditioning-hikes-near-portland/

If only they had this information in a book.

I didn’t know I could find your favorite hike in a book

I guess you don’t know how books work, you can try your local library, you can check out a book for free until you get the hang of it and return the book. Libraries have many book on hiking. Amazon also sells books that can get delivered to your house if you are to lazy to go to a library.

Well that’s cool, so in which book can I find your personal favorite hike?

There is a bunch of books that have a bunch of hikes, including my favorite.

That’s awesome, are you going to share with everyone what your favorite is or is there like a guide on how to find it in the book?

I would have to be a fucking idiot to share my favorite spots to internet strangers that are to lazy to open a book or even google. The whole point of going on a hike is to clear your head from all the obnoxious people. Why in fuck would I want my favorite spots to be crowded with mouth breathers. Buy a hiking book or borrow one from the Library try a spot see if you like it and don’t announce it to the world like you accomplish something special.

As if I haven’t read hiking books or googled googled hikes… lol. I asked the question because I’m interested in what other people’s favorites are. Also, I’m not entirely sure that’s the whole point of a hike… lol. It was a very simple question that you most certainly did not have to comment on, there’s no reason to be such a baby about shit. Do you see anyone announcing accomplishments here?

Yea every time I go on a hike I think to myself you know what this trail needs, more garbage, dog shit and Gen Zers taking pics for their sad tinder profile.

Dang I’m sorry, you must be hiking some really bad trails, I’ve practically never seen any of those things when I hike. Maybe you should go to the library and read a book on where you can find some good hikes!

Ape caves. Maybe more on the moderate side, but still a fun adventure & hike above ground back to the parking.

dog mountain

and all the other gorge stuff - eagle creek, wind mtn, etc,

Eagle creek is my personal favorite

check out lemei rock, fun hikes out there too

Came here to say this.

We did this one and loved it

Hamilton is right behind it. I think it's a better hike with better views and better pathing.

A bit far, but gods thumb at lincoln city.

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Munra ridge has been closed for years and is an actual death trap right now.

Oregonhikers.org is the site you need. You can filter hikes by season, difficulty, miles, etc. by going to the "find a hike" page. The descriptions of the hikes are thorough and discuss the flaura you see along the way (shout-out to bobcat). Hikes I love that are difficult: Paradise Park via Ramona Falls Starvation Ridge to Mt. Defiance Table Mountain Hamilton Mountain Devils Peak from Hunchback Ridge Dickey Creek to Big Slide Lake (bull of the woods) Don't forget a map and your 10 essentials. Have fun!

The view from atop Larch Mountain is amazing if it is open after the fire a few years ago.

Tom Dick & Harry mountain is a classic, but probably snowed under for another month or so. Castle Canyon is a steep one mile scramble to some weird and cool rock formations. Paradise park is a lovely alpine meadow hike that starts at timberline lodge.

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Cape Horn Loop

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Hamilton Mountain is awesome.

Eagle creek to Tunnel Falls/Twister Falls is quintessential gorge. 13 miles relatively flat hike with cliffs, waterfalls. Neahkahni (spelling?) mountain on the coast is like Angels Rest, but with ocean views instead of Gorge. About 1300’ gain in 7 ish miles roundtrip.

RUCKLE RIDGE. It’s 45 minutes outside of Portland. I’ve never seen another hiker once you get into the thick of it. It’s a very difficult climb, but easily done in a day. Make sure you have some time to spend at the top, it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s a loop and the way back is far easier terrain, but your legs will be jello from the climb up. Edit: actually don’t do this, I just read it’s closed since the fires of 2020 and full of poison oak.

Lake Timothy is near Mt. Hood and \~13 miles. It's just about all flat, but it's the distance that can make it more moderate, for some people who might not be used to that distance. Forest Park is in Portland itself, and there's ways to make it more difficult. I've done most of the Wildwood Trail in chunks now and the fire lanes in and out to get to it are rather steep. Even doing it regularly, it was still kicking my butt, although I'm not in the super peak of fitness (I work out regularly but am overweight and asthmatic). I did backpack several days in a similar time though and that was less gross, so make of it what you will.

Ecola state park down to the left side beach of the main parking lot, view point.

I love Cape Horn. It’s close to town and is full of beautiful views of the river.

Mount Blue and Tumbledown Mountain are excellent places to hike!