Grab your trusty walking stick and resolve to explore our beautiful state in 2014, one hike at a time. Whether you live to drag snowshoes through thick powder, or would rather veer off road on a mountain bike, we’ve got a perfect hike for the occasion and season. 

JANUARY

Save on gas and witness reforesting efforts firsthand on the Wilson River Trail just west of town. Be sure to look for spawning Coho on Wilson Creek Falls or press on deeper in the Tillamook Forest Center to scope out more waterfalls.

FEBRUARY

Buckle your skis and hit some fresh powder on these backcountry ski hills on the Pocket Creek Ski Trail just southeast of the Mt. Hood Meadows.   

MARCH

Load your canoe to the top of your car and head out to Tillamook County Water Trail for some paddling in this diverse waterway with plenty of otters and bald eagles to behold.

APRIL

Witness spring blooms on the golden hills of the School Canyon Trail and Ball Point. You’ll want to belt out some impromptu Sound of Music tunes amidst the flowery hillside.

MAY

Give your Instagram feed an upgrade with epic panoramas from the former look out at the summit of Cedar Butte Trail.
 
JUNE

Dust off your boots and try the Hood River Mountain Trail with it’s off the beaten path, rugged splendor. After your trek, watch the sunset with a cold beer in hand at Parkdale’s Solera Brewery.
 

JULY

Head deep into Gorge wilderness with this challenging, 11–miles day hike. The Rock of Ages Trail is riddled with jaw dropping rock formations, some (like the Devil’s Backbone) you can even scramble up.
 
←If you’re muscles aren’t screaming from the Rock of Ages Trail, put your geocaching to the test with our handy map circumnavigating Mt Hood by foot or bike Map. 

AUGUST

Enjoy the long summer days pedaling the fifty mile loop around Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway Trail. Combining bike and roadways, this scenic loop dotted with rolling hills links Hillsboro’s Rood Bridge Park to rustic Vernonia.

(And, if you haven’t popped your tent this season, get out in these long days of summer with our guide to Oregon’s Best State Parks).

SEPTEMBER

Hike uphill to a retired fire lookout on the Cool Creek Trail in Zig Zag and take in some incredible vistas, all while munching ripe huckleberries along the way.

OCTOBER

Round up your old BMX buddies and head out to the Eight Mile Loop Trail #496. This well worn bike trail is easy on the beginners but the steep drops satisfy seasoned mountain bikers as well, making it the perfect group expedition in the last days of fall.
 

NOVEMBER

When the rain kicks in again, give the trails a break and upgrade your tent to one of these Rolling Retreats, where you can enjoy nature from the warmth of your wood stove.

DECEMBER

Strap on your snow shoes and burn off some of those holiday cookies on Mt. Hood’s Inspiration Loop. You can even do some cross–country skiing down Cloud Cap Road as you head to your post hike watering hole, Crooked Tree Tavern.