Urban Trail Picks We Love
Tryon Creek State Natural Area
An urban gem tucked into southwest Portland, Tryon offers lush second-growth forest, seasonal wildflowers, and year-round trail access just minutes from downtown. We chose Tryon for this week’s highlight because it’s a place where TKO has built deep roots—supporting trail maintenance, leading crew leader trainings, and helping host stewardship events for new volunteers.
It’s also one of Oregon’s few state parks within city limits, making it a vital outdoor resource for nearby schools, families, and community groups. From repairing erosion on the Old Main Trail to brushing back overgrowth and maintaining bridges, our work here ensures that Tryon’s trails remain safe and welcoming for all.
Guadalupe Loop Trail
Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey
Just north of Lafayette, this serene loop trail winds through oak savanna, mixed woodland, and peaceful ridgelines with occasional mountain views. The trail is part of a 1,300-acre working monastery, home to Trappist monks who manage a bindery, guesthouse, and bakery. In 2010, the entire property became a wildlife conservation easement—protecting rare Willamette Valley habitat.
TKO helped assess this trail for accessibility and signage improvements, part of our larger commitment to increasing inclusive access across the region. Hikers are welcome dawn to dusk, but please respect the contemplative nature of the site: silence is requested near buildings and ponds, and dogs are not permitted.
It’s a peaceful walk—and a reminder of how trails can nourish both body and spirit.
Keizer Rapids Park Loop
Just north of Salem, Keizer Rapids offers a unique blend of riverside trails, oak savanna views, and historical intrigue. This park sits on land once crossed by wagon in the 1840s by Oregon Trail settler Thomas Dove Keizur, whose name—and many variant spellings—live on in the city today.
Today, the loop trail winds through forested disc golf fairways, alongside ponds and the Willamette River, and past interpretive signs that highlight the area’s cultural and ecological history. Keep an eye out for relics of sternwheeler history and seasonal changes in river height that reveal massive driftwood and flood debris.
TKO volunteers and community partners have contributed to keeping this trail system open and inviting—whether through brushing work, public cleanups, or accessibility improvements. It’s a quiet, often overlooked trail with deep roots and ongoing care.
Trail Spotlight: Bonnie’s Walk to Lovely
Author and trail advocate Bonnie Henderson shares her favorite urban loop through Eugene and Springfield—a choose-your-own-distance journey that follows Pre’s Trail along the Willamette River and ends at a cozy café called Lovely.
From recovery walks after hip surgery to training for longer treks, Bonnie’s walk is a reminder that the hiking mindset isn’t limited to big miles or remote summits—it’s about connection.
“It’s right in the middle of the metro area, linking the two towns… It’s become even more appealing as I’ve been rehabbing. You can walk longer distances, but do you ever, umm, stop and break it up?”
This is a story of discovery, resilience, and hot tea on a rainy day—plus some bark chip gaiter tips.