Marquam Trail Hike

Overview

The Marquam Trail is one of Portland's great trail assets, connecting the 31-mile Wildwood Trail with Terwilliger Boulevard and further trail/street explorations in Southwest Portland. While the hike is 10.6 miles as a return venture, frequent public transportation connecting the two trailheads (Trimet bus + MAX), makes this an excellent one-way option as well, especially for families. The excursion begins on the edge of the Hoyt Arboretum and then passes other major Washington Park attractions, such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World Forestry Center, Oregon Zoo, and the Children's Museum. Then you'll cross Highway 26 and head up to Council Crest, at over 1,000 feet the highest point in Southwest Portland, from which you'll get far-ranging views on a clear day. The Marquam Trail descends from Council Crest to enter Marquam Nature Park and terminate at Terwilliger Boulevard. The trail is named after Philip Marquam, who was a Multnomah County judge in the 1860s and later served in the Oregon State Legislature. Depending on where you are staying in the Portland area, you can also make this a car shuttle, a car/bus/MAX trip, or simply use public transportation going and coming. The MAX Blue and Red Lines both stop at the Oregon Zoo; several buses run along Terwilliger Boulevard and pass the Marquam Trailhead; also, it's only a short distance from the Marquam Trailhead to Barbur Boulevard, where you'll find more frequent bus service. The beginning of the Wildwood Trail is just across Knight Street from the parking area. Walk up past labeled trees keeping left then right into a Douglas-fir copse. Here, keep straight at a four-way junction and then left at a T-junction. The Marquam Trail heads down above the Vietnam Veterans Memorial past a large-leaved catalpa and a stand of sequoias. At a four-way junction, keep straight to continue above and behind the World Forestry Center. At a garbage receptacle, keep right and make four switchbacks down. You'll see the Children’s Museum to your left and then bear righ

Trail Stats

Photos

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