Beginner Hikes

One of the most common questions on Oregon Hikers comes from people just beginning to hike. This is a list of beginner or "newbie" hikes recommended by Oregon Hikers members. Drive time is from Portland.

Hike	Distance	Elevation Change	Season	Drive Time

Ancient Juniper Loop Hike	3.1 miles	120 feet	Year round	240 minute drive
Flat hike among junipers and sagebrush in the Badlands Wilderness east of Bend




Angels Rest Hike	4.6 miles	1450 feet	Year round	35 minute drive
One of the area's most popular hikes, this trail leads up to a 1600 foot, 270 degree view of the west Columbia River Gorge.




Babyfoot Lake Hike	2.4 miles	360 feet	May-Oct	330 minute drive
Short hike to a mountain lake in the Siskiyous




Bald Hill Loop Hike	3.1 miles	440 feet	Year round	85 minute drive
Rural hike on the outskirts of Corvallis with wildflowers and views to the Coast Range




Beacon Rock Hike	1.8 miles	680 feet	Year round	60 minute drive
Take stairs and gangways to the top of the volcanic plug. Handrails make this trek safe for all but the tiniest children.




Big Tree Loop Hike	3.7 miles	1380 feet	Mar-Nov	330 minute drive
Loop from the Oregon Caves through mountain forest and lush meadows to visit a massive Douglas-fir




Bird Creek Meadows Loop Hike	6.6 miles	1415 feet	Aug-Sep	140 minute drive
Loop around stunning mountain meadows with views of Mt. Adams. On Yakama Nation land: open only about one month a year




Boy Scout Tree Hike	5.7 miles	1000 feet	Year round	360 minute drive
A whole forest full of magnificent old-growth redwoods in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park




Canyon Creek Meadows Loop Hike	7.5 miles	1560 feet	Jul-Sep	210 minute drive
Through stunning wildflower meadows to the shoulder of Three Fingered Jack




Cape Disappointment Hike	2.9 miles	385 feet	Year round	135 minute drive
Coast headland hike to gun batteries, an interpretive center, and a historic lighthouse




Cape Falcon Hike	4.8 miles	160 feet	Year round	105 minute drive
Hike out to a windswept headland in Oswald West State Park




Catherine Creek Arch Loop Hike	3.4 miles	500 feet	Year round	90 minute drive
The natural rock arch is worth the trip, but there's an historic cattle corral and collapsed cabin, as well. The real highlight of this hike is the wildflower display in early spring.




Dalles Mountain Ranch Loop Hike	6.9 miles	1310 feet	Year round	95 minute drive
In spring, these open slopes on an old ranch are ablaze with wildflowers




Garfield Peak Hike	3.5 miles	1115 feet	July-Oct	265 minute drive
Steep hike to get magnificent views over Crater Lake




Hand Lake Loop Hike	2.9 miles	190 feet	July-Oct	270 minute drive
A lake, a shelter, a lava flow, and an old wagon road near the McKenzie Highway




Hobart Bluff Hike	2.4 miles	360 feet	May-Oct	320 minute drive
Rocky summit with views in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument




Hoffer Lakes Hike	2.5 miles	340 feet	July-Oct	300 minute drive
Hike to a trio of lakes in the Elkhorn Range of the Blue Mountains




Horsetail Falls Loop Hike	2.6 miles	610 feet	Year round	45 minute drive
Low altitude loop with views of several waterfalls. You'll pass behind Ponytail Falls and cross a bridge over Middle Oneonta Falls. Consider side trips to Triple Falls and Lower Oneonta Falls.




Indian Racetrack Hike	4.6 miles	760 feet	June-Nov.	85 minute drive
Hike in the Indian Heaven Wilderness through huckleberry woods to an old tribal racetrack in a meadow




Iron Mountain Hike	2.4 miles	650 feet	June-Oct.	150 minute drive
Prime early summer wildflower hike above the South Santiam River




June Lake Hike	2.5 miles	440 feet	Jun-Nov	110 minute drive
Secluded lake on the slopes of Mt. St. Helens




Juniper Gulch Hike	1.7 miles	380 feet	Year round	470 minute drive
Admire rhyolite formations and honeycombs in the Owyhee area




Little Strawberry Lake Hike	6.5 miles	1395 feet	June-Oct	345 minute drive
Hike past Strawberry Lake and a waterfall to Little Strawberry Lake nestled under rugged crags




Lower Table Rock Hike	4.9 miles	800 feet	Year round.	270 minute drive
Basalt tableland above the Rogue River with rare plants and views




Mirror Lake Hike	2.9 miles	780 feet	Jun-Nov	90 minute drive
Family hike to a gorgeous lake with great views of Mount Hood




Mountaineer Trail Loop Hike	2.7 miles	1065 feet	Jul-Oct	90 minute drive
Summertime freeform, loose exploration of the trails between Timberline Lodge up to Silcox Hut. In winter, all of these trails disappear under feet of snow and people ski here.




Paulina Lake Loop Hike	7.3 miles	430 feet	Jun-Oct	245 minute drive
Walk the entire shore of a lake inside a large caldera and visit hot springs




Pool of the Winds Hike	2.2 miles	700 feet	Year round	60 minute drive
Hike to two waterfalls in Beacon Rock State Park




Punchbowl Falls Hike	3.8 miles	500 feet	Year round	45 minute drive
Punchbowl Fall is one of the most photographed locations in Oregon. There's a summer swimming hole just below the falls. The hike includes sections of trail blasted out of rock cliffs. Probably not the best for small children, dogs or people with severe height phobias.




Roxy Ann Peak Loop Hike	3.5 miles	730 feet	Year round	280 minute drive
Circle Roxy Ann Peak among ponderosas and madrones in Medford's Prescott Park




Scout Camp Trail Loop Hike	2.3 miles	700 feet	Year round	210 minute drive
Steep hike down rimrock benches to the Deschutes River; hot in the summertime




Shore Acres Loop Hike	4.7 miles	230 feet	Year round	270 minute drive
Coves, clifftop views, coastal woodland, and a botanical garden near Coos Bay




Soapstone Lake Loop Hike	3.2 miles	305 feet	Year round	75 minute drive
Loop around an isolated lake in the Clatsop State Forest, Oregon Coast Range




Tamolitch Pool Hike	4.2 miles	350 feet	May-Nov	150 minute drive
Stunning blue pool in lava flows on the McKenzie River




The Twins Hike	6.7 miles	1910 feet	Jul-Oct	190 minute drive
Ascend a cinder cone volcano near Waldo Lake for views of the Cascades




Upper McCord Creek Falls Hike	2.0 miles	400 feet	Year round	45 minute drive
Easy trail through handrailed cliffs to Upper McCord Creek Falls. You'll have views of Elowah Falls from above, then a chance to take another trail to the base.




Wahclella Falls Hike	2.0 miles	200 feet	Year round	45 minute drive
You can reach out and touch the water in Munra Falls from a footbridge. Then, after a few stairs, you'll see the remains of a 1980s landslide, before coming to Wahclella Falls.




Warrior Point Hike	7.0 miles	0 feet	Year round	20 minute drive
Casual water-level stroll on a closed road or an open beach to a small lighthouse on Sauvie Island




West Metolius River Hike	5.3 miles	215 feet	May-Nov	180 minute drive
Quiet hike along a serene stretch of the Metolius River

Beginner Hikes

Beginner Hikes

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide