Wending its way through a patchwork of city parks and greenspaces, the Marquam Trail stretches over five miles through peaceful, secluded forests in Southwest Portland. As part of the city's 40-Mile Loop trail system it connects the Terwilliger Trail in the south with the Wildwood Trail to the north. This Field Guide entry details the southern portion of the trail, from Terwilliger Blvd. to Council Crest. The majority of the hike is in the Marquam Nature Park, and the upper third of it is on a section of trail that is also part of the Council Crest Hike, which starts from a different trailhead.
Easily one of Portland's best close-in hikes, the Marquam Trail is as pleasant as any in Forest Park and features an outstanding four-mountain view from Council Crest Park, once the site of a popular amusement park. The hike has about 1100 feet of total elevation gain, so it's perfect for anyone looking for a good workout without expending the time or gas to reach hikes farther afield. It's also a perfect winter hike for those rainy, foggy days when you can't buy a view in the Columbia Gorge. Bonus: the trilliums are outstanding in early spring!
