Hiking in Eugene
The Adventure Begins
Eugene is an awesome place to live for lovers of the outdoors. You could easily fill a year's worth of weekends exploring new trails without ever leaving the county. However, without friends who are familiar with the area, it can be quite a challenge to figure out where to go next. We wrote this post to give you a taste of what Lane County has to offer, and hopefully give you some ideas for your next adventure.
Close To Home
While most of the trips that we cover require a bit of a drive out of town, there is still plenty of adventure to be had without ever leaving the Eugene/Springfield area.
Spencer Butte
At just over 2,000 feet, Spencer Butte towers over the Southern Willamette Valley, making it the area’s most recognizable landmark. If you are new to Eugene, or haven’t gotten into hiking yet, this is the perfect place to start exploring in Oregon. You don't have to be in excellent shape to make the easy two mile (round trip) to the top, and the trailhead is only 12 minutes from downtown. Even with its proximity to the city, Spencer Butte provides the illusion of being deep in the woods. That, and the 360 degree view from the top, are what make this hike so awesome. Checkout our post for directions and more information on Spencer Butte.
Mount Pisgah
After exploring Spencer Butte Mount Pisgah is a natural next step. The main trail to the top climbs 1,000 feet from the valley floor through beautiful grasslands and oak savannahs. While the hike may be difficult (more so than Spencer Butte) the view from the top will make the effort worth your while. Mount Pisgah also offers miles of flatter trails in addition to the main one. These are often less traveled, and totally worth exploring. Directions can be found here. Note that parking costs $5, and is heavily enforced.
Ridgeline Trail
Many people in Eugene may not know that Spencer Butte is actually part of a 12 mile long trail system that rings the whole southern edge of the city. This series of trails offers excellent views of South Eugene, and a deep woods feel without leaving city limits. The journey can be done all at once (we'd recommend a shuttle system with a car parked at the start and the finish), or in individual legs. Follow this link for a map of the Ridgeline Trail system.
Riverbank Bike Path
On a sunny day in Eugene there are few better activities than taking a leisurely bike ride along the Willamette River. Almost the entirety of the River's journey through Eugene is surrounded on both sides by city parks, and paved pathways. One of our favorite activities is to take a break halfway through the ride for a drink at one of Eugene's craft breweries. Click here for a map of the Riverbank Bike Path
Skinner Butte
The view of downtown Eugene from the top of Skinner's Butte is hard to beat. Driving is the most popular way to get there, but a few trails on the Butte's north face also makes for a pleasant little hike. To get to the trails, park on Cheshire Ave on the north side of the Butte. Look for a prominent stone staircase that marks the trail head. There are several routes that may be poorly marked, but as long as you keep going up you should make it to the viewpoint!
Dorris Ranch
This is really a hidden treat. Dorris Ranch is a public park, and active farm. The property includes the first filbert (otherwise known as hazelnut) orchard in the country, as well as forested and riverfront sections. It's located only a few minutes outside of Eugene (on the south side of Springfield) but receives very little traffic for its size and beauty. Dorris Ranch is a great place to see fall color, and take a stroll in a beautiful area without many people. Directions and more information on the park's history can be found here.
Farther Afield
Hiking in Eugene is cool, but if you are like us, you live for trips that take you away from people to see astounding things. Here are a few of our favorites, most of which are accessible by car without too much trouble.
We will keep updating this list, so save this page and check back from time to time for more adventures!
Mount June
Mount June is comparable to the steeper trail up Spencer Butte in difficulty, but a little harder to get to. That said, the greater effort leads to a substantially more awesome view. Visit Mount June on a clear day for breathtaking views of the cascades, from Mt. Hood to Diamond Peak! Checkout our post on Mount June for directions and more information!
Blue Pool (ALso known as Tamolitch pool)
Blue Pool is on the must see list for adventurers in Eugene. This geological anomaly is downright gorgeous, as super pure (and super cold) water filters out of lava rocks to form the headwaters of the McKenzie River. The hike to this beauty is rocky, but well marked and easily accessible to anyone who can handle a roughly four mile walk. Directions from Eugene.
Proxy Falls
Proxy Falls is a bit of a photographer's mecca in Lane County. This short (1.7 mile) trail offers a two for one deal, with a pair of spectacular waterfalls that will make you feel like you just wandered into Jurassic Park. These are best visited during fall color, or right after spring rains when the water flow is at its strongest. Checkout our post on Proxy Falls for more information!
Photo Credit: Paul Garrett
Fall Creek
Fall creek is a popular hiking trail in the Cascade Foothills approximately 45 minutes outside of town. On hot summer days Fall Creek offers no shortage of swimming holes along a very interesting creek bed. The area is also known for a small cave, and a burnt section of forest that will give you a close up look at the devastating impact of wildfires. (Rough) directions to Fall Creek from Eugene.