From Portland city’s bustling heart to the peaks, rivers and vineyards that surround it, Oregon’s coolest region is catnip for anyone with a sense of adventure. While Mount Hood grabs the headlines – what climber could resist the call of its 3,429m summit? – the wider Portland area has more subtle, wildlife-rich charms in abundance.
Kayak with herons and egrets along the Willamette River, swish through farmland and fir forests on the Crown Zellerback cycling route, and take your pick from thousands of miles of lush hiking trails: through the Killin Wetlands, the Tualatin Valley, and even the city of Portland itself. Yes, this isn’t your average metropolis: Portland is a fun, free-spirited place, renowned for its live music, great festivals, and insatiable appetite for artisan food.
Read on for inspiration, information and everything you need to know before heading to the Portland Region...
There are more than 200 parks within the city limits of Portland
Portland is one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world
Portland is home to Powell’s City of Book, the world’s largest independently owned bookstore
Oregon has over 450 wineries, and the Tualatin Valley is home to over 30 vineyard estate winery and tasting rooms
In the Spring, you can snowboard on Mount Hood in the morning, water ski in downtown Portland in the afternoon and surf in Seaside in the evening.
Portland is also known as City of Roses and the International Rose Test Garden features more than 10,000 bushes/600 varieties
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