→ If you are traveling by yourself or want to learn about the area, do this guided Arboretum and Wildwood trail origins hike with a local. The Arboretum is open from 5 am to 10 pm daily, while the Visitor Center is open from 9 am to 4 pm during the week (10 am to 4 pm on weekends). The guided tours leave at 11 and 1 and have a suggested donation of $3 for non-members. If you want more of a guided experience, you can join a group walk on a Saturday or Sunday from April through October. This 1.3-mile route takes about two hours to do. One popular loop is made from the Overlook, Wildwood, Hawthorn, Maple, Wildwood, and Holly Trails (tip: park near the Visitor Center where you can snag a trail map). Many trails loop back on themselves, so you could really spend hours walking around in the park. Hoyt Arboretum has 12 miles of hikes in total. There are also a few benches in that spot so you won’t lose your balance while staring straight up. This is a raised deck that gives you a woodpecker’s eye view of some enormous redwood trees. One of the most striking areas has to be the redwood deck. Over 2,300 species of trees and shrubs currently reside in the park, and there are some fantastic ones to look at. Hoyt Arboretum’s mission is to foster endangered plant species and educate the public. It’s also well-maintained and has many great spots for picnics and bird watching. It’s close to the city but far enough to have massive trees. Portlanders love going to the Hoyt Arboretum. Hoyt Arboretum: One of the Most Educational Hikes Near Portland However, dogs need to be leashed up when on the trails. There is an off-leash area just adjacent to this viewpoint as well, which is awesome. Council Crest has an amazing view of downtown Portland, and on clear days, you can even see four mountains in the Cascade range: Hood, Adams, Ranier, and St. If you continue past the end of the Marquam trail (by just crossing the street where it ends) you’ll end up in Council Crest Park. Most trails end up in other parts of the surrounding neighborhood, so just keep track of where you turn if you want to explore more of the area. There are a number of trails in this park, but there’s only a couple of loop trails. This main trail takes you through a forest and up about 650 in elevation. The Marquam Trail winds around Marquam Park which is just south of downtown.