Oregon is a state known for beautiful natural views and lush foliage, as well as having four distinct seasons each year. As the weather warms up, people want to be outside enjoying the sun and the easy outdoor access. While there are many hikes that tend to be quite popular, there are plenty of other underrated hikes to look into this spring.
About an hour drive from Portland is Zigzag Mountain Farm. It’s located at the base of Mt. Hood, and is a campground with little cabins and yurts you can stay in, but it also offers some beautiful hiking trails that lead you to a clear view of the mountain. Steve O’Neill, one of the Culinary Arts teachers here at Franklin High School, says this is his favorite place to visit when he’s not teaching. “It’s peaceful, beautiful, quiet, and so close to Portland,” he says. There are a variety of different hiking trails ranging from 1.1 miles to 24.4 miles. There is something for hikers of different levels of expertise, but all trails lead up Zigzag Mountain.
Another hike is Watson Falls, which is located in the Umpqua River Valley. This hike is about a one mile loop that takes the average person 41 minutes to complete, according to an All Trails article about the hike. The trail leads to a wooden bridge that takes you to a 272 foot waterfall over basalt lava cliffs, the highest waterfall in Southwest Oregon, and the third highest in the state. It’s open all year-round, but in the spring the waterfall has the highest water flow. This is a family friendly hike and allows leashed dogs.
Lost Lake is a 3.4 mile loop that tracks around a lake near Mt. Hood, and provides amazing views of the mountain. Lost Lake was known to the Hood River Indians as “Heart of the Mountains.” William L. Sullivan, the author of 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon, wrote, “When an expedition of men had trouble finding the legendary lake in 1880, they declared they were not lost; the lake was.” Since then the scenery has changed: Forest Service projects added a half-mile long boardwalk as well as expanded the campground that is at the lake. This hike has many different botanical sightings from wildflowers to western red cedar trees. It’s a family friendly hike and has many clear spots to take pictures.
Angel’s Rest is a moderate length hike of 4.6 miles round trip that takes an average of two hours and 51 minutes according to an All Trails article. This hike overlooks the western Columbian Gorge and is a scenic route with wildflowers covering the forest floor. Once at the top of the rugged gorge cliff at about 1,500 feet, there are mountain, river, and waterfall views. It also offers a 270-degree view of the gorge that includes Beacon Rock, Silver Star Mountain, and other landmarks.
Netarts Spit, Cape Lookout, is a 10.6 mile hike with an easy trail. It is located in Tillamook, Oregon. It is described as a peaceful hike with lovely beach views according to a review on All Trails. Cape Lookout is a trail that goes along the beach and has great views of the bay, the town of Netarts, and the Pacific Ocean. There are many waterfalls to come across and other views of nature.
Near the Columbia River Gorge you will find Mount Defiance. Miguel Oliva, a sophomore at Lincoln High School, says, “The 11.6 mile hike is long and tough, but the beauty of the views are worth it.” He says there is a beautiful clear lake and an amazing view of Mt. Hood. However, he also explains that the hike is slightly desolate, so if someone is hurt, it would be hard to reach them quickly. Trails gain nearly 5,000 feet of elevation, and they’re full of woods and pretty views.
Hikes provide good exercise and can be a relaxing way to get away from crowds and society. If you’re looking for new hiking trails as the warmer days are drawing close, try these ones out! You might be surprised by what these beautiful hikes offer.
