Lower Macleay Trail Head

Here at the Lower Macleay Trailhead, you can experience Forest Park, by taking a stroll through the Balch Creek, where you’ll have wonderful views and potentially be able to spot cutthroat trout, native to the creek.

Taking the trail .8 miles into the forest, you’ll connect to the Wildwood Trail at the Witch’s Castle, the abandoned stone house. You can take the Wildwood Trail south, hiking 2.5miles up nearly 450ft to the Pittock Mansion overlook of the city. If you’re looking for something more mild, you can take the Wildwood Trail south, creating a loop of your own choice.

Lower Macleay Loops
Begin at Lower Macleay Park (2960 NW Upshur St.)
Hike up Lower Macleay to the Stone House at the intersection with Wildwood (.8 mi)
Turn right and hike north on Wildwood to:

HOLMAN (about 1.75 miles)
Turn right on Holman Lane. Take Holman Lane downhill to Aspen Ave. and turn left. Turn right on Franklin St. then left on 32nd Ave. Turn right on Thurman St. Take the stairs just past the Thurman St. bridge down to Lower Macleay Park!

ASPEN (about 2.25 miles)
Continue on Wildwood to Aspen Trail. Take Aspen Trail down to Aspen Ave. Turn right onto Aspen Ave., then left onto Franklin St. and left onto 32nd Ave. Turn right onto Thurman St. and take the stairs just past the Thurman bridge back down to Lower Macleay Park!

WILD CHERRY (about 5 miles)
Continue north on Wildwood to Wild Cherry Trail. Turn right on Wild Cherry to descend to Leif Erikson. Turn right on Leif and take it back to Thurman St. Walk down Thurman about a mile and take the stairs just past the Thurman bridge to return to Lower Macleay Park!

DOGWOOD (about 6.1 miles)
Continue north on Wildwood to Dogwood Trail. Turn right on Dogwood for a steep descent Leif Erikson. Turn right on Leif and take it 1 mile back to Thurman St. Walk down Thurman about a mile and take the stairs just past the Thurman bridge to return to Lower Macleay Park!

ALDER (about 8 miles)
Continue north on Wildwood to Alder Trail. Turn right on Alder for a long, sometimes steep descent Leif Erikson, passing through an Alder grove near the bottom. Turn right on Leif and take it 1.5 miles back to Thurman St. Walk down Thurman and take the stairs just past the Thurman bridge to return to Lower Macleay Park!

FIRELANE 1 (about 11 miles)
Continue north on Wildwood all the way to Firelane 1 (6.8 miles). Turn right on FL1 for a quite steep descent Leif Erikson. Turn right on Leif and take it 3 miles back to Thurman St. Walk down Thurman about a mile and take the stairs just past the Thurman bridge to return to Lower Macleay Park!

If you have any questions about Forest Park, please call us at 503-223-5449 or email us at info@forestparkconservancy.org.