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Portland Forest UC

Updated: Dec 3, 2025


Forest Park - Portland's green pause button
Forest Park - Portland's green pause button

The Walk Itself


During our vacation to the Pacific NW, I introduced my family to the stunning Portland Forest Park. As the Forest Park Conservancy says so succinctly, "Forest Park offers an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to experience a true Northwest forest without leaving the Portland city limits." And what a stunning array of old growth Douglas Firs and Giant Sequioa trees for hugging! This takes me back to a time in my twenties when I spent a couple of months "job searching" in Portland. What I was really doing was just walking Forest Park trails daily. But don't you worry, urbanites! This UC has enough Portland intrigue amongst the trees to keep everyone satisfied.


Distance in Presence


This walking route is 8.5 miles roundtrip.


Mindful Reflection


The forest isn't quiet. It just hums at a different frequency.



The Journey Unfolds


Grab a baked good at Ken's Artisan Bakery, a cappuccino at

Good Coffee, and your curiosity and head to The Freakybuttrue


Calm you nerves after your musuem experience with forest bathing in Portland's Forest Park. Stop and take some deep breathes, hug some

amazing fir trees, and meditate to the sounds of running water.


Explore all the offerings of Washington Park from the Portland Japanese Garden to the International Rose Test Garden 


In stillness we remember at the Oregon Holocaust Memorial 


Then take a leisurely stroll down NW Everett St. observing architectural wonders at every turn back to the start.



Start Here and Go There


Portland Forest Urban Camino Map, Circa 2025


 Google My Maps – Portland Forest Urban Camino with Legend


Along the Way (Stops worth making)

🏛️ Historical & Cultural

  • Pittock Mansion - 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210

  • Oregon Holocaust Memorial - SW Washington Way and Wright Ave, Washington Park, Portland, OR

  • Sacajawea Statue - SW Washington Way and Wright Ave, Washington Park, Portland, OR

  • Lewis and Clark Column - 6200 SW Sacajawea Blvd, Portland, OR 97205


🏺 Museums

  • The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum - 2234 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97210


🎨 Art & Expression

  • Kindness Rock Exchange – 1937 NW 28th Pl, Portland, OR 97210

  • Art School PDX Mug Exchange - Outside Slabtown Square (inside the block bordered by NW Pettgrove St., NW 21st, NW Raleigh and NW 20th)

  • "Pigs in Nob Hill" – 937 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210


🌳 Parks & Gardens

  • Bamboo Forest in Hoyt Arboretum - Within Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221

  • Hoyt Arboretum - 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221

  • Portland Japanese Garden - 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205

  • International Rose Test Garden - 400 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205


☕️ Food, Coffee & Craft

  • Ken's Artisan Bakery – 338 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209

  • Creo Chocolate – 629 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

  • Good Coffee – 2175 NW Raleigh St #106, Portland, OR 97210

  • The Dragonfly Coffee House – 2387 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97210

  • Salt & Straw – 838 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

  • Elephants Delicatessen – 115 NW 22nd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

  • Breakside Brewery –  1570 NW 22nd Ave, Portland, OR 97210


Just So You Know (the Inside Scoop)


  • Again, limitations of Google My Maps: There is a pedestrian walkway that passes right through the middle of NW 22nd Ave and NW 21st Ave from NW Quimby St to NW Thurman St instead of walking up NW 22nd St. There is a market and a coffee shop for refueling along the walkway!




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