Ridge Trailhead — Attraction in Portland

Nice long hike close to St. Johns. There are several forks, so download the map if it's your first time so you don't have to guess at navigation. We parked at the tiny parking area south of the stairs. The first part of the trail (to the 1st fork) was sad with thickly grown (almost overgrown) invasive Himalayan blackberries and ivy. There was a lot of noise from the road & bridge. After hiking past Northwest Leif Erikson Drive (utility/fire road), the remainder of the trail was lovely with an awesome array of native plants, trees, and birds. We especially enjoyed seeing huge native elderberry bushes, native Oregon blackberry (which I saw here for my 1st time ever!), and nice a variety of ferns. We even found some huckleberries to eat. Trail was nice & dry, and it's fun to log some extra miles where the trail is easy & mostly flat. There is another way to access the loop by heading west on the bridge, turning north on NW Bridge Ave, and picking taking the small trail on the left just before the road goes over a small gully. If you're crossing the bridge, I recommend this route so you can see a different part of the trail that is less traveled (because there is no parking nearby). The trail was moderately busy: we saw approximately 4 dozen people, but it was spread out for the most part. We'll definitely do...

This past Saturday, I explored the Ridge Trailhead, where the views of the river and St. Johns Bridge truly stand out. From the very start, the scenery feels like a gift—a perfect place for photos, whether it’s an engagement or senior shoot. You don’t need to hike the full three-and-a-half miles, because the best view greets you right at the trail’s start. But if you do go farther, the beauty keeps unfolding with Forest Park’s signature charm in every step.

In December, the trail can get a little slippery, so sturdy boots are your best bet to hike safely. Parking isn’t easy—you’ll need to leave your car across the river and walk across St. Johns Bridge, which is worth it for the pedestrian path alone. The view from the bridge adds its own magic, even if the sound of traffic hums in the background.

As always, Forest Park never disappoints. This spot is perfect for both wandering and capturing moments, a blend of natural beauty and urban views that will leave you coming...

Great view of St. John’s bridge We came here and there was a ton of graffiti near the entrance plus a homeless campsite literally a foot from the trail. Hiked for about 4 minutes and my wife had a really bad feeling in her gut, so we turned back.

When we started our car, it tumbled really loud, so I checked and in that short time frame our catalytic converter had been cut out. In broad daylight at like 4pm.

We looked around and saw tons of little broken glass in at least 10 different spots that we overlooked when we parked (probably from smashed car windows). Luckily our windows were fine.

I’m sure it used to be safer, and I’m sure the rest of the hike is beautiful, but Portland isn’t what...