There is nothing quite like fall in Portland.
Whether you’re new to the area, looking to relocate to the Pacific Northwest, or you’re a Portland native baptized in the Oregon rain, there is no denying the pull of autumn in the Portland metro area.
Outdoor enthusiasts from all over come to experience the blushing auburn hues of Oregon’s brilliant foliage, leaves of gold, amber, russet, and sepia up against the deeply verdant needles of old-growth evergreen forests, mountain peaks, and coastal beaches. They come to kayak our rushing rivers, witness our plunging waterfalls, and to hike our wildlife refuges, wetland preserves, and to explore one of the largest urban forest reserves in the U.S.—Forest Park.
Gerald, a freelance writer, who has written for both The Oregonian and The Willamette Week, is the author of Portland’s best selling hiking book, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Portland ($18), and as he noted in a blog titled, Best Fall Colors Hikes Near Portland, there is no better time for a colorful hike than October.
“. . . October is actually my favorite hiking month of the year: cool air, clear days, no bugs, few people, and that special energy of getting it done while you still can.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Here are a few more resources for finding your perfect hike this autumn:
- Oregon’s Fall Foilage Blog
- Oregon Adventurer’s Six Stunning Fall Hikes in Oregon
- Red Tricyle’s List of The Best Places to See Fall Colors in PDX (and Nearby)
- The Broke BackPacker’s 10 Best Hikes in Oregon
- AllTrails’ List of Best Trails Near Portland, Oregon
