Biking

Portland is one of America’s most bicycle-friendly cities, with miles of paved paths used by bike commuters and recreational bicyclists. Riding a bike around town, you’ll definitely feel like a local, exploring out-of-the-way neighborhoods, pedaling along the banks of the Willamette River, and visiting bike-friendly businesses. In 2017, the city installed hundreds of rentable bikes throughout the city (see biketownpdx.com), making it easier than ever to pedal around town on your own but only for half an hour at a time.

An all-day bike rental is something to consider if you want to explore the city and environs over a period of several hours. Waterfront Bicycles, 10 SW Ash St., Ste. 100 (www.waterfrontbikes.com; [tel] 503/227-1719) rents bikes for $9 for 1 hour or $35 per day.

In Tom McCall Waterfront Park, at the foot of SW Salmon Street, you can rent a variety of unusual, family-friendly cycles from Kerr Bikes (www.kerrbikes.org; tel. 503/808-9955), including three-wheeled and four-wheeled cycles and surreys that carry as many as four adults. Rates range from $15 to $35 per hour. Kerr Bikes is open from March through October; hours vary with the month.

At Bike Gallery, 1001 SW Tenth Ave. (www.bikegallery.com; tel. 503/222-3821), you can rent a classic commuter bike (with fenders in case of rain) for $35 for 4 hours or $55 for 24 hours.

For mountain-bike rentals, head to Fat Tire Farm, 2714 NW Thurman St. (www.fattirefarm.com; tel. 503/222-3276), where bikes go for $70 to $200 for a 24-hour rental. Straight up Thurman Street from this bike shop, you’ll find the trail head for Leif Erickson Drive, an old gravel road that is Forest Park’s favorite route for cyclists and runners (the road is closed to motor vehicles); the trail is 12 miles long.

Hiking

Hiking opportunities abound in the Portland area. For shorter hikes, you don’t even have to leave the city; just head to Forest Park, the largest forested city park in the country. Within this urban wilderness, you’ll find more than 70 miles of trails. The 30-mile Wildwood Trail is the longest trail in the park and will take you all the way up to Pittock Mansion in northwest Portland and Hoyt Arboretum in southwest Portland. Trail maps are available at the arboretum’s visitor center, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd. (www.hoytarborteum.org; Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, Sat–Sun 11am–3pm). To get there by car, drive west on West Burnside Street from downtown Portland and follow signs to the arboretum; the MAX stop is Washington Park. Forest Park PDX is a downloadable app that covers all the trails in Forest Park.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.