The Portland peninsula bills itself as the “Gateway to nature.” What many Portlanders consider to be one of the farthest, tumbleweed-laden, lawless outposts of the Rose City is in reality a fine place to get a little fresh air via bicycle. From the bluffs of Willamette Boulevard to the serene Smith and Bybee Lakes, there’s a lot to appreciate on this 18.4-mile bike ride around North Portland.
Start: Kenton Park on N Brandon Avenue
Distance: 18.4-mile loop
Riding time: 1 to 3 hours
Best bike: Road bike
Terrain and trail surface: Paved road and bike path
Traffic and hazards: High traffic on Lombard Street
Fees and permits: None
Restrooms: Kelley Point Park, Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
Maps: Oregon Road & Recreation Atlas: Page 106 C4
Getting there: From downtown Portland, take I-5 North to exit 302C and merge onto North Greeley Avenue. Turn right onto Lombard Street and left onto North Brandon Street. Kenton Park will be on the left. If you’re taking the MAX from downtown, hop on the yellow line heading toward the Expo Center; get off at the Kenton/Denver Avenue stop. The loop begins right there on Denver Avenue. GPS: N45° 35.010' / W122° 41.347'
The Ride
Due to the nature of a loop ride, you can start at a myriad of spots. But if you’re traveling to North Portland, a great way to begin is by taking the MAX to the Kenton Station and beginning your journey there. From the charming downtown area of Kenton, head north on Denver Avenue for a quick 0.5 mile to the Columbia Slough Trail. Heading west, the paved path leads away from traffic along the tree-lined slough. You’ll pass the Heron Lakes Golf Club and head north on the paved path paralleling North Portland Road. The Smith and Bybee Lakes are off to your left here, shielded from view by trees.
At the 3-mile mark you’ll turn left onto a bike path that gets you even closer to the lakes, delivering you to the official Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area. If you feel like taking a leg stretch, there are restrooms here, as well as a few pedestrian-only paths with interpretive signs that lead through the wetlands.
Continuing on the paved path, now paralleling North Marine Drive, you spit back out onto the road around the 6.5-mile mark and almost immediately arrive at the entrance to Kelley Point Park. Unless you’re crunched for time, take a ride along the paved path that loops through the park. This is where the Willamette and Columbia Rivers join forces, and it’s another nice spot to stretch your legs or visit the restroom.
Once outside of the park, the main road becomes North Lombard Street. Shortly after it changes to North Columbia Boulevard, look for a paved bike path on the right leading into Chimney Park. Take this path through the park and over a pedestrian bridge into Pier Park. Continue through Pier Park and back out onto Lombard. Next up is the St. Johns neighborhood. Once its own town before Portland swallowed it up, St. Johns is heavy on charm, and the little main street is worth checking out. In addition, Portland’s best bridge is here. Look right on North Philadelphia Avenue as you pedal through town to catch a glimpse.
After St. Johns the loop makes its way onto Willamette Boulevard, where you’ll be treated to views of Forest Park, the Willamette River, the University of Portland, and, if conditions are right, sweeping views of downtown and Mount Hood. Willamette banks a hard left and becomes Rosa Parks Way. A left onto Denver Avenue brings you back into Kenton and completes the loop.
Miles and Directions
0.0 Start from Kenton Park and head east on North McClellan Street.
0.1 Left onto North Denver Avenue.
0.1 Bear left at the Paul Bunyan statue to stay on Denver.
0.5 Take a path to the right that circles under the MAX bridge and head east on North Schmeer Road. Be mindful of oncoming traffic.
0.7 Take the paved path on the left onto the Columbia Slough Trail.
2.4 Follow the path as it turns to the right and parallels North Portland Road.
3.1 Use the crosswalk to cross North Portland Road and pick up the bike path on the other side of barricade.
4.1 The bike path exits the Smith and Bybee Wetlands. Stay on the paved path.
6.5 The path ends at North Marine Drive. Carefully cross the road and make a left.
6.5 Make a right onto North Kelley Point Park Road. Make loop around Kelley Point Park.
8.6 Make a right onto North Lombard Street.
8.9 Cross Lombard onto the paved sidewalk/bike path.
10.4 Cross Lombard and bike over the bridge in the bike lane.
10.9 Continue onto North Columbia Boulevard.
11.3 Take the paved bike path into Chimney Park.
11.6 Take the pedestrian overpass bridge. Stay on path through Pier Park and around the baseball field.
11.5 Turn left onto North James Street.
12.2 Turn right onto North St. Johns Avenue.
12.5 Turn left onto North Lombard Street.
13.4 Turn right onto North Richmond Avenue.
13.6 Turn left onto North Willamette Boulevard.
16.7 Make a hard left onto North Rosa Parks Way.
17.3 Turn left onto North Denver Avenue.
18.3 Turn left onto North McClellan Street.
18.4 Arrive back at Kenton Park.
Local Information
Things to see: Willamette River, University of Portland, Kelley Point Park, Smith and Bybee Lakes
Restaurants along the ride: PoShines, 8139 N Denver Blvd., Kenton; Signal Station Pizza, 8302 N Lombard St., St. Johns