All Trails lists the most popular rails trails in Oregon with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
The hike follows an old rail bed from the Columbia River up the Deschutes River, part of the rails-to-trails system. This is just the beginning of the Oregon Desert so bring fresh water. Trail is flat. The area is close to Celilo Village, the tiny fishing community called Oregon’s oldest town. Salvage archeological digs prior to the completion of The Dalles Dam confirmed that Indian people had continuously occupied the village site for at least 11,000 years.
Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast
Klickitat Trail – A Washington State Rail – Trail
The Klickitat Trail runs 31 miles through stunning Columbia River Gorge country between Lyle and the Goldendale plateau. As it leaves the Columbia to follow the Klickitat River, the gentle trail leads cyclists, hikers, birders and, in some places, equestrians through dramatic Swale Canyon.
This trail will appeal to railroad buffs, as it runs along the historic rail bed of the Spokane, Portland, Seattle Railway (SP&S). Later owned by Burlington Northern, this part of the rail line was sold in 1993 to the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy, which, in turn, gifted the trail to State Parks in 1994.
Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast
Banks-Vernonia State Trail is the first “rails-to-trails” park in Oregon. The trail follows an abandoned railroad bed that stretches 21 miles between the cities of Banks and Vernonia.
The trail consists of a paved 8-foot wide hiking and bicycle trail alongside a gravel trail for horses that’s about 4-foot wide in most sections. Trail highlights include 13 bridges and views from the 733-foot long, 80-foot high Buxton Trestle.
Chehalem Ridge and Yamhill Vineyards B&B
The Springwater Corridor is a scenic, 21-mile paved trail from downtown Portland to Boring. The trail is popular with walkers, hikers, runners and cyclists. The paved surface is approximately 10 to 12 feet wide, most of which is separated from public roads.
The trail passes wetlands, buttes, agricultural fields and pastures, as well as residential neighborhoods and industrial areas. A wide variety of wildlife can be found along the corridor.
Fulton House B&B
The Cazadero State Trail is an ongoing project using railroad rights of way to connect the Springwater Corridor with Estacada and the Clackamas River.
Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfasts
We learned about this trail while seeking geocaches in the Disappearing RR Blues Series, GC5ANXN Disappearing RR Blues: Interurban Elk Creek Trestle.
Row River National Recreation Trail
First, Row is pronounced like “Cow.” From Cottage Grove (Exit 174 on I-5), the trail heads east and loops around Dorena Reservoir with wildlife galore, covered bridges and Hollywood movie history. In 1926, “The General” with Buster Keaton was filmed along the tracks. In 1985, it was “Stand by Me” with Keifer Sutherland and the late River Phoenix. blm.gov/visit/row-river-trail
Astoria Riverwalk: Cyclists of a “certain” age may recall that Astoria was the filming location for the 1985 “Goonies” movie. There’s level cycling in this hilly city along the Riverwalk, along with lively waterfront dining and craft breweries. Check out the Columbia River Maritime Museum. astoriaparks.com/riverwalk.aspx
Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail
Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail System
Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade (+ Tilikum Crossing)
Minto-Brown Island Park Paved Path and the Riverfront Trail
OC and E Woods Line State Trail
Explore the popular rails to trails in Oregon and then please share with us your favorite.
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