Pittock Mansion Hike

Pittock Mansion Hike features lush forest, a beautiful creek, a Witch’s Castle, Victorian-era Mansion, and amazing views!

I am finally writing about one of the hikes I love to do in Portland! As I mentioned in a previous blog post, Tryon Creek, Hoyt Arboretum, and Forest Park, especially Pittock Mansion Hike starting at lower Macleay Park, are part of a selected group I call “Happy Places.”

What to see and do

Lower Macleay Park is located 10 minutes from the heart of Portland’s downtown. From there, you can start the hike to Pittock Mansion and additionally is the entrance for other trails part of the massive and beautiful Forest Park.

In this natural setting, you can enjoy hiking, running, watching birds and wildlife, and more. Actually, this is a classic hike to show the beauty and part of the history of Portland.

This hike can be done starting from Pittock Mansion (you have a parking area there) or as I usually do it, starting from Lower Macleay Park. In this way, you will have uphills trails at the beginning and then coming back to the parking area, downhill paths.

Another way to do it shorter is starting from Macleay Park Trailhead or Tunnel Trail, both located on Cornell Rd.

Also, you can take other trails that are connected to this one in case you want to continue exploring Forest Park (Only Wildwood trail has 30.2 miles long).

Lower Macleay Park to Pittock Mansion hike

On this hike, you will walk on Lower Macleay Park trail, Wildwood Trail, Upper Macleay Trail and then another section of Wildwood trail (It seems tricky in words but the trail it’s very well signed).

Lower Macleay Park

Starting at Lower Macleay Park, the total distance of the hike is about 5.7 miles round trip, and it’s considered as a moderate hike. You have a small parking area close to the park, and if you don’t find a place there, you will have to park around the neighborhood (it can be really busy in certain hours and days).

At the beginning of the hike, you will find restrooms, a picnic shelter, and the first part of the path is a universal access trail as far as a stone viewing platform on Balch Creek. After that section, the course starts graveled.

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Lower Macleay Park trail is full of old-growth and tall trees. You won’t believe you are in the middle of the city. In Fall, the colors of the leaves are amazing, and in Spring, you will find gorgeous wildflowers everywhere. But something remains as a constant the lush green!

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Wildwood Trail

You will visit some unique features on this part of the trail. One is a Heritage Tree-labeled Douglas-fir (the tallest tree in Portland), and speaking about famous photography locations, you will find the Stone house or Witch’s Castle (a former restroom built in the mid-1930s).

From the Stone House, you should continue straight on Wildwood trail, and after crossing the bridge over the creek, you will begin climbing out, and later after some switchbacks, you will arrive at Upper Macleay Park.

Finally, when you think you train your legs enough, you have to cross Cornell Rd and start the real climbing.

The second section of the hike after Cornell Road

After crossing Cornell Rd. at the crosswalk, you will continue uphills on the Wildwood Trail. Although this part of the hike is a little more challenging, it worths all the effort in exchange for the wonderful views you are going to have at the end and during your walk.

Keep right and continue on the Upper Macleay trail and then another right selecting the Wildwood trail when you reach the four-way upper junction.

At this point, you are getting closer so keep going!

Eventually, with the Wildwood trail, you will finally find the Pittock Mansion’s parking lot.

The final part: the view

Finally, when you feel your legs are on fire, it’s time to relax and enjoy the perfect view of this location. You deserve it! On clear days you can see the Portland skyline and the Mt. Hood.

In addition to the view and the beautiful gardens, the Pittock Mansion is a Museum and can be visited with a tour (paying a fee). Check hours and prices on its website.

Finally, if you are looking for other forested areas to hike locally in Portland and surrounding areas, you can find more options here: urban forest.

Plan your trip

Main features/Amenities

• 5.7 miles round trip trail.
• Beautiful lush forest.
• Stone House and Pittock Mansion.
• Amazing views of Portland Skyline and Mt Hood on clear days.
• Picnic tables at Lower Macleay Park and at Pittock Mansion.
• Parking areas and Restrooms at Lower Macleay Park and in Pittock Mansion.

Important information and tips

• Location: Lower Macleay Park 2960 NW Upshur St, Portland, OR 97210. Pittock Mansion 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210.
• Pittock Mansion website: http://pittockmansion.org/
• Lower Macleay Park website.
• Family Friendly. Lower Macleay Park can be explored with the little ones. In the second part of the trail, after crossing Cornell Road, you will gain a lot of elevation, so it depends on how experienced your little hikers are. Still, I will guess it is more for older kids (As a reference, I hiked it carrying my daughter when she was four and walking with my son when he was 8).
• Pet-Friendly. Dogs on leash.