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Best Lake Hikes near Portland

There are 9 hikes near Portland in our database that fit. They average 7.7 km and 170 m (558 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 21.5 km.

That is 10 percent of the 91 routes we map near Portland. They are shorter than the local average, 7.7 km against 11.1 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 170 m (558 ft) against 245 m (804 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Lake routes give you a natural halfway point, somewhere to swim in summer, and the calmest reflections of the whole week if you get there before the wind picks up. The mix is broad: 5 are rated easy and 2 are hard or harder, so there is something here whether you have two hours or a full day.

Trails

Easy

Cascade Streamwatch Trail

Oregon · United States

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
28 m
Typical duration
19 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
Easy

Horsetail Falls Trail

Oregon · United States

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
43 m
Typical duration
28 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
Hard

Hagg Lake Trail

Oregon · United States

Distance
21.5 km
/ 13.4 mi
Elevation gain
473 m
Typical duration
5 hr 23 min
  • Lake
Easy

Huxley Lake Trail #521

Oregon · United States

Distance
4.4 km
/ 2.7 mi
Elevation gain
97 m
Typical duration
1 hr 4 min
  • Lake
Hard

Lake to Lake Trail

Washington · United States

Distance
19.4 km
/ 12.0 mi
Elevation gain
427 m
Typical duration
4 hr 49 min
  • Lake

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Cascade Streamwatch TrailOregon1.3 km28 m19 minEasyApril to October
Horsetail Falls TrailOregon1.9 km43 m28 minEasyApril to October
Hagg Lake TrailOregon21.5 km473 m5 hr 23 minHardApril to October
Hillsdale to Lake Oswego TrailOregon7.5 km165 m1 hr 48 minModerateApril to October
Huxley Lake Trail #521Oregon4.4 km97 m1 hr 4 minEasyApril to October
Lewis & Clark College to Metzger Park TrailOregon10.0 km220 m2 hr 25 minModerateApril to October
Main Marshall Park TrailOregon0.5 km11 m7 minEasyApril to October
Lake to Lake TrailWashington19.4 km427 m4 hr 49 minHardApril to October
Memaloose Lake Trail #515Oregon2.9 km64 m42 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Cascade Streamwatch Trail, Horsetail Falls Trail, Main Marshall Park Trail. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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