Singletrack options can be a bit scarce within Portland’s city limits. One beaming exception is Powell Butte. It might not provide the miles of singletrack offered over at Sandy Ridge, but there’s enough variety and sharp descents to hold your attention. Trails transition quickly from open meadows into tight, western red cedar–lined singletrack. Unlike some other city parks, most of the trails at Powell Butte are bike friendly.
Start: SE Ellis Street and 145th Avenue
Distance: 4.4-mile loop
Riding time: 0.5 to 2 hours
Difficulty rating: Easy to intermediate
Trail surface: Singletrack, dirt roads, asphalt, gravel
Elevation gain: Maximum single gain of 350 feet
Land status: City park
Hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Seasons: Best July through Oct; trails closed in muddy conditions
Nearest town: Portland
Other trail users: Hikers, equestrians
Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted
Wheels: Suspension recommended
Fees and permits: None
Restrooms: At visitor center
Maps: Oregon Road & Recreation Atlas: Page 107 E7
Special considerations: Please be respectful and adhere to bike restrictions on the Dogwood-Holgate, Dogwood, Fernwood, and Hawthorn Trails, as well as Reservoir Lane. Everything else is open season. Also bear in mind that many trails on Powell Butte have recently been renamed, so make sure you acquire an up-do-date map online or stop by the visitor center to familiarize yourself with the layout. There’s also an updated map placard at the trailhead.
Getting there: Take SE Holgate Boulevard east to SE 136th Avenue. Turn right onto SE 136th Avenue and then left onto SE Ellis Street. Ellis Street turns to the right and becomes SE 145th Avenue; park here. The paved entry to the park on the Cedar Grove Trail is on the east side of the street. GPS: N45° 28.932' / W122° 30.876'
The Ride
From the Cedar Grove Trailhead, ride a quick 0.1 mile to where the trail forks. From this point Powell Butte becomes a choose-your-own adventure. For the described route, turn left at the fork and begin a slow, steady ascent up the Cedar Grove Trail. After 0.5 mile of total riding, you’ll reach a junction with the Elder-berry Trail. A hard left onto the Elderberry Trail is a completely viable option, but for now continue straight as the Cedar Grove Trail joins the Elderberry Trail. Shortly thereafter you’ll reach a T junction at Meadowland Lane. Turn right here and enjoy the now-level trail and views of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens.
After a little over 1 mile of total riding, you’ll have another decision to make. At a four-way junction you can either go left or straight to ride Summit Lane or turn right onto the Douglas Fir Trail. Save the trip down Douglas Fir for later, and this time continue straight onto Summit Lane. Pass a junction with the Hawthorn Trail, not open to bikes, and make a right at the next junction with the South Trail. The descent begins mildly at first but picks up steam after a large hairpin turn.
The path continues downward as it straightens out. Make a right onto the Cedar Grove Trail and then another right onto the Douglas Fir Trail and begin the curved, forested ascent of the butte. At the top you’ll encounter a familiar junction. Turn right onto Summit Lane, and then right again to head down the South Trail a second time. This go-round you’ll stay straight at the junction with the Hawthorn Trail, continuing onto the Cedar Grove Trail. When the Cedar Grove Trail splits, turn left and arrive back at the trailhead. If you prefer straighter ascents and winding descents, you can run the course in reverse, going up the South Trail and down the Douglas Fir Trail.
Miles and Directions
0.0 Start on the paved path onto the Cedar Grove Trail.
0.1 Make a left, staying on the Cedar Grove Trail.
0.5 Stay straight onto the Elderberry Trail.
0.85 Make a right onto Meadowland Lane.
1.1 Stay straight onto Summit Lane.
1.3 Turn right onto the South Trail.
2.2 Make a right onto the Cedar Grove Trail and stay straight for 0.2 mile, passing a junction leading back to the trailhead and arriving at a junction with the Douglas Fir Trail.
2.4 Make a right onto the Douglas Fir Trail.
3.1 Turn right onto Summit Lane.
3.3 Turn right onto the South Trail.
4.2 Make a right onto the Cedar Grove Trail.
4.3 Turn left to stay on the Cedar Grove Trail.
4.4 Arrive back at the trailhead.
Local Information
Post-pedal food and drink: La Costita, 17102 SE Powell Blvd., Portland