By Madyson Muresan
Arts & Culture Editor

Oregon is known for its hiking culture and good weather three months out of the year. So what better way than to break the seasonal depression than to get out and reconnect with nature? As an amateur hiker and Oregon native, here are my top five spots to hike this summer:

The redwood deck, along the redwood trail. Photo provided by pinesnvines.com.

Hoyt Arboretum

Hoyt Arboretum is home to 2,300 species of trees and shrubs from six continents, including 67 rare or endangered species, deeming it “a living museum”. These trails are unlike others in Oregon due to the diverse vegetation lining the path such as redwood and oak trees. 

This spot is frequently picked by locals for senior pictures, engagements and weddings, all for good reason. I took my own senior pictures here and would definitely recommend it for any new graduates for the perfect backdrop to your achievement. 

There are 12 miles of hiking trails to roam through among the looming trees. Some trails are less than a mile for people simply wanting a scenic walk while others could take two or more hours. It is located less than 10 minutes from downtown Portland, traffic depending, giving it easy access for students in the area. 

Trail at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Photo provided by lclark.edu.

Tryon Creek State Natural Area

This hike offers so much with eight miles of hiking trails, eight bridges and one boardwalk. This natural area offers hiking trails, horse paths and bicycle trails, along with a 0.3-mile fully paved All-Abilities trail, great for people needing mobility devices. There are five different horse paths and two bike paths so you can keep coming back to try them all. Several creeks run through the natural area which can help soothe the stressed mind of a college student. 

Tryon Creek offers educational programs and guided hikes throughout the year for folks wanting to learn as they walk. The natural area is located along the border of Portland and Lake Oswego and is nearly 15 minutes from downtown Portland, near Lewis & Clark College.

View of Mt. Hood from Sherrard Point. Photo provided by Christine Auerbach off AllTrails.

Sherrard Point Trail

No pain, all gain. This hike is 0.6 miles round trip, and is an out and back, which means you hike to the point and back the way you came. This trail takes you straight to Sherrard Point on Larch Mountain, giving you an unobstructed view of the Cascades, including Mt. Hood. With views that serious hikers would spend an hour climbing to, less experienced hikers can experience the awe-inspiring view for a measly 30 minutes. 

This hike is all uphill, with 170 feet of elevation gain, but is fully paved with steps. It is a relatively easy hike, and while it is uphill, the incline is manageable. The trailhead is located at the Larch Mountain Picnic Area. 

Ramona Falls. Photo provided by oregonhikers.org.

Ramona Falls

While this is a moderate level hike, it is long, being 7.1 miles round trip. A hike through the woods of Mt. Hood National Forest is as deep into nature as you can get in the metro area. Through numerous pines, babbling brooks and a chill to off-put the blaring heat of Oregon summer, lies a stunning waterfall cascading down the rocks below. This is a frequently used hike by locals due to the general proximity to Portland and the uniqueness of the waterfall. It has a gradual elevation increase making it easy on the knees and not too tiresome which is needed to balance out the length of the complete hike. It is located near Mt. Hood and begins at the Ramona Falls trailhead.

Lower South Falls along the Trail of Ten Falls. Photo by Jennifer Carr, sourced from jennifercarrphotography.com.

Silver Falls State Park

Silver Falls is one of the most well-known state parks in Oregon and the largest. It is famous for its “Trail of Ten Falls” where you gain the opportunity to walk behind four of the ten waterfalls. Personally, this is my favorite summer attraction in Oregon as the nature you see there is a much needed escape from city life. Where else in Oregon can you walk behind four waterfalls in one hike? 

The trail itself is 8 miles round trip, but contains cutoff trails that create shorter loops. It is located east of Salem at Silver Falls State Park.