Columbia River Gorge

Lava River Cave is the longest lava tube in Oregon and is fascinating to explore. Put fresh batteries in your flashlights and head to Newberry National Volcanic Monument, which is in Deschutes National Forest just a dozen miles south of Bend. Walking through Lava River Cave, you will see wild features left behind by volcanic eruptions 100,000 years ago. ...Read more.

Treat yourself to gargantuan ocean views from the edges of Cape Lookout, hiking 5 miles round trip to a viewpoint at the end of this tall promontory on the Oregon Coast. Cape Lookout Trail passes through a temperate rainforest packed with tall cedars. The forest is wild and beautiful and so is the surrounding coastline. Cape Lookout is probably the most impressive cape on Three Capes Scenic Route and this out and back hike serves up great views. ...Read more.

Marquam Nature Park is walking distance from downtown Portland, but is tucked away and remains less well known than other parks in the West Hills. Marquam Nature Park provides ample woodland solitude, despite its proximity to downtown. To explore most of this underused parcel of the West Hills near OHSU, create a a 4.25-mile loop with 500 feet of elevation change that combines multiple trails: Shelter Loop Trail Marquam Trail Flicker Trail Towhee Trail Upper Marquam Hill Trail The loop is oddly shaped and nearly connects at two points along the way, allowing the hike to be shortened to 1. ...Read more.

Shevlin Loop Trail explores pine forests along Tumalo Creek in Shevlin Park, which is just four miles west of downtown Bend. This pleasant woodland trail is mostly easy with a few rolling sections along the bluffs that border the creek. The loop is 4.75 miles long and explores much of Shevlin Park's 647 acres. The hike has 240 feet of elevation change and crosses lovely Tumalo Creek at two points. ...Read more.

Archie Briggs Natural Area presents views over a dramatic stretch of the Deschutes River north of Bend. The river makes a sweeping curve beneath tall cliffs of volcanic rock and is backed by grand mountains like Black Butte and Mount Jefferson. Gaze down the canyon from atop cliffs on the south side of the curve in the river by an intersection of Deschutes River Trail and Archie Briggs Canyon Trail. ...Read more.