{"id":97204192,"date":"2019-03-27T20:14:06","date_gmt":"2019-03-27T20:14:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/?p=97204192"},"modified":"2021-04-21T16:21:11","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T16:21:11","slug":"best-hikes-in-portland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/best-hikes-in-portland\/","title":{"rendered":"Want to Immerse Yourself in Nature Near Portland, Oregon? Here Are the Best Places to Hike"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Pacific Northwest is full of beautiful natural sites, from mountains to lakes to forests. While the beauty of nature might be the first thing people think of when someone says \u201cWashington\u201d or \u201cOregon,\u201d that might not be the case if someone mentions \u201cPortland.\u201d Portland is Oregon\u2019s largest city, and while it certainly has a beautiful city skyline, you can easily be swept away in nature if you\u2019d like.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a list of some of the best places to go if you&#8217;re looking for cheap flight deals to spend some time recharging in the natural world in Portland!<\/p>\n<h2>Mount Hood National Forest<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Mount-Hood-National-Forest.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-97204194\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Mount-Hood-National-Forest.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Hood National Forest \" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Mount-Hood-National-Forest.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Mount-Hood-National-Forest-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Mount-Hood-National-Forest-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mount Hood is one of the most iconic landmarks in Oregon. Known as the state\u2019s highest peak, it reaches as high as 11,239 feet. The Timberline Trail offers great hiking options on the mountain itself, or you can visit in the winter for some skiing at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skibowl.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mount Hood Skibowl<\/a>. And, if you want to see the sites without hiking too much, hop in the car and drive the Mount Hood Scenic Loop. It\u2019ll take you a half a day to drive it, clocking in at about 105 miles round-trip, with beautiful sites along the way. Aside from the mountain, the national forest offers waterfalls, hot springs, and great picnic spots!<\/p>\n<p>Nature enthusiasts can hike in other locations and set their sights on Mount Hood. Within the national forest, there are six great spots to hike and take in the breathtaking views of the beautiful snow-capped mountain.<\/p>\n<h3>Serene Lake<\/h3>\n<p>Guests can hike the Serene Lake and experience its views at the end of the trail in the national forest. Hikers can also experience unique wildflower meadows and other lakes as they make their way to the coveted viewpoint.<\/p>\n<h3>Paradise Park<\/h3>\n<p>If you visit Paradise Park on a clear day, you might get lucky enough to see Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters. No matter what the weather&#8217;s like, you\u2019ll be able to count on excellent views of Mount Hood. Take a picnic and plan to have a fun and relaxed afternoon at your leisure when visiting.<\/p>\n<h3>Mirror Lake and Tom, Dick &amp; Harry Mountain<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/tomdick-and-harry-mountain.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-97204199\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/tomdick-and-harry-mountain.jpg\" alt=\"woman hiking Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/tomdick-and-harry-mountain.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/tomdick-and-harry-mountain-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/tomdick-and-harry-mountain-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Mirror Lake trail is roughly four miles of switchbacks that bring you to the lake in which you can see a vibrant reflection of towering Mount Hood, hence the name \u201cMirror Lake\u201d. Once you arrive\u00a0at Mirror Lake, don\u2019t turn back! Continue on to Tom, Dick &amp; Harry Mountain (if you can)! Your hike might get harder, especially near the summit, but you&#8217;ll be rewarded with a great view of Mount Hood from the top.<\/p>\n<h3>Burnt Lake<\/h3>\n<p>You may ask, why &#8216;Burnt Lake&#8217;? The lake is named after a 1904 forest fire. The Burnt Lake Trail is filled with nature of all types.\u00a0Countless intricate creeks and tons of wildflowers will greet you throughout a summer hike. Once you get to the lake, you\u2019ve got a full view of Mount Hood waiting for you, but many take this trail to experience the beautiful East Zigzag Mountain.<\/p>\n<h3>Ramona Falls<\/h3>\n<p>Hiking to Ramona Falls will not only give you an up-close view of Mount Hood, but you\u2019ll also see waterfalls cascading down the mountain. Hikers are warned to be careful and turn back if the Sandy River looks too high or dangerous to cross.<\/p>\n<h2>Oneonta Gorge and The Columbia River Gorge<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Oneonta-Gorge-and-The-Columbia-River-Gorge.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-97204196\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Oneonta-Gorge-and-The-Columbia-River-Gorge.jpg\" alt=\"Oneonta Gorge and The Columbia River Gorge\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Oneonta-Gorge-and-The-Columbia-River-Gorge.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Oneonta-Gorge-and-The-Columbia-River-Gorge-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Oneonta-Gorge-and-The-Columbia-River-Gorge-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>One of the most beautiful sites in the region, Oneonta Gorge is part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/crgnsa\/recarea\/?recid=29960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Columbia River Gorge<\/a>. Oneonta Gorge is covered in gorgeous green vegetation, giving off a truly breathtaking view. Throughout all of the Columbia River Gorge, you can drive along the Columbia River Highway and see beautiful waterfalls; there are plenty of trailheads to venture off on as well!<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>You may also like: <a href=\"https:\/\/cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/6-underrated-u-s-national-parks-you-have-to-visit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">6 Under-the-Radar U.S. National Parks You Have to Visit<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Oregon Coast<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Oregon-Coast.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-97204197\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Oregon-Coast.jpg\" alt=\"Oregon Coast \" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Oregon-Coast.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Oregon-Coast-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Oregon-Coast-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you love water, then we can\u2019t recommend taking <a href=\"https:\/\/visittheoregoncoast.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a trip to the coast<\/a> enough. Just 90 minutes from Portland and over 300 miles long, you are sure to find something here to enthrall you. From whale watching to admiring seals to simply making sand angels and taking captivating images, Oregon\u2019s coast is a nature enthusiast\u2019s dream. Visit Ecola State Park\u2019s Indian Beach or Oswald West State Park\u2019s Short Sands for some beginner surfing if you\u2019re up to it!<\/p>\n<h2>Ridgefield Refuge<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Ridgefield-Refuge.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-97204198\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Ridgefield-Refuge.jpg\" alt=\"Ridgefield Refuge\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Ridgefield-Refuge.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Ridgefield-Refuge-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Ridgefield-Refuge-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Wildlife fan or birdwatcher? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fws.gov\/refuge\/ridgefield\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ridgefield Refuge<\/a> is the place for you. This national wildlife refuge is an important place to spot migrating birds. You\u2019ll be able to get up close to these creatures as well as other wildlife species without the need for binoculars. The best way to embrace this natural beauty is by driving along the four-mile gravel road known as the \u201cS-Unit.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Also, if you&#8217;ve found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/deals\/cheap-round-trip-flights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cheap round trip flights<\/a> between May 1 and September 30, the Kiwa Trail at the refuge will be open, giving you a chance to walk part of the refuge and encounter the animals that inhabit the wetland.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Have you ever explored any of the nature that Portland has to offer? Tell us about it in our comments section below!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Pacific Northwest is full of beautiful natural sites, from mountains to lakes to forests. While the beauty of nature might be the first thing people think of when someone says \u201cWashington\u201d or \u201cOregon,\u201d that might not be the case if someone mentions \u201cPortland.\u201d Portland is Oregon\u2019s largest city, and while it certainly has a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":355,"featured_media":97204201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1777],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-97204192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sustainable-tourism"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97204192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/355"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97204192"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97204192\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97212704,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97204192\/revisions\/97212704"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97204201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97204192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97204192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97204192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}