Complete Guide for Your First Solo Travel Adventure in Portland, Oregon
Traveling alone can help you trust yourself more. Read all about WHY this is: Solo Travel as a Pathway to Self-Trust.
So, you’re ready for your first solo travel adventure…
Why choose Portland, Oregon?
Portland, OR is the perfect destination for your first solo travel adventure. It’s the perfect blend of city and nature. It’s an easy city to get around in by car, public transportation, bike, or my favorite - walking.
You can literally stumble into a forest on accident. And, I highly recommend you do.
Whether you’re a coffee drinker or like me, prefer tea - there are tons of fun coffee shops + teahouses.
Portland is a foodie city so come hungry. There are many fun areas to explore as well as countless day trips from the city to escape into even MORE nature.
Just make sure to check the weather first! Summer is the best time to go if you want to avoid dreary + rainy days.
I’ve created a FREE PDF Guide for you to check out the city of Portland.
The city is great.
But what is EXTRA SPECIAL about Portland, is the access to nature.
Magical forests, moody beaches, snow caped mountains, eerie fog, and SO. MUCH. GREEN.
Once you’ve completed City Day in PDX Itinerary, you’re ready for a day with more time in nature.
Here’s your Nature + City Day Itinerary:
Your day begins in the Hawthorne area with a quick stop to stock up for the drive into nature time.
Breakfast sandwiches at Fried Egg I’m In Love
Head across the street to Seven Virtues Coffee for a coffee/tea.
Get ready for one of the most stunning drives along the Columbia River Gorge.
Multnomah Falls is about 45mins from Portland and a good place to turn back around.
This area tends to get busy so you can choose to get out and do some hiking, just walk to the waterfall, or venture away from the crowds a bit.
Head back to the city for lunch.
Lunch at Lil’ Shalom
The menu rotates. If you’re lucky, they’ll have Burnt Ends Hummus.
Time to get back to nature. This time, without having to drive too far.
First up: Washington Park
Lots to explore inside the park. Including trails that connect into the forest, Rose Garden, Arbortum, and the Japanese Garden.
Now, it’s time to fuel up with some boba tea! Even if you don’t usually like boba tea, I’d put money on it that you change your mind with this place.
Across the street, there is a cute little park with a lotus pond.
If you’ve still got energy, you can head towards Forest Park.
Boasting 5,200 acres of native northwest forest.
Plenty of beauty to drive through if you’re legs are tired.
If you’re up for a hike, you can walk to Witch’s Castle
If you’re ready for good views without the hike, you can drive up to Pittock Mansion. You can tour the mansion or not, either way, the views are spectacular.
Take some time to rest + recover at your hotel or Airbnb.
Once you’ve recovered and ready for dinner in Nob Hill area.
Cocktails at Pope House Bourbon Lounge
Cool vibe inside an old home
Walk down 23rd Ave to Grassa for some handcrafted pasta
Finish the day with an ice cream flight at Salt & Straw
Want even more nature + hiking?
Here’s a list of my favorite hikes in the greater Portland area.
>>>
Best spots if you’re new to hiking or solo hiking:
Each of these spots have easy parking with a visitor center (bathrooms) and stay pretty busy with people.
You can get good views without strenuous hiking.
Multnomah Falls (Easy-Moderate; lengths vary) - 45mins from Portland
The Trail of Ten Falls (Easy-Moderate; 7.5 miles) - 1.5hrs from Portland
Smith Rock State Park (Easy to Moderate; lengths vary) – 3hrs from Portland
Crater Lake (Easy-Moderate; lengths vary) - 4hrs from Portland
>>>
Columbia River Gorge Area
This area definitely has some challenging hikes if you’re wanting to push yourself a bit.
Some of these hikes are on the Oregon side of the Gorge and some are on the Washington side.
The drive along the Gorge is worth it for stunning views even if you don’t want to hike.
Hood River, OR is about an hour east of PDX with views of the Gorge the entire way. It’s a great place to grab some lunch and turn back around to PDX.
Multnomah Falls (Easy-Medium; lengths vary) This is a pretty famous waterfall. Pretty accessible to get to the waterfall viewing and then there are many trails you could explore from there.
Dog Mountain Trail (Hard; 6.5 miles)
Hamilton Mountain Trail (Hard; 5.5 miles)
Cape Horn Loop Trail (Moderate-Hard; 6.5 miles)
Mount Defiance Trail (Very Hard; 12 miles)
Angel’s Rest (Moderate, 8 miles)
>>>
Mt. Hood Wilderness Area
Ramona Falls Trail (Medium; 7 miles) You can cut this one short if you want a shorter hike and still get great views of Mt. Hood.
Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain (via Mirror Lake Trail) (Hard; 8 miles) Great views of Mt. Hood.
>>>
Oregon Coast
You can get to the beautiful coast of Oregon in approximately 1.5hrs from Portland.
Lots of fresh seafood and other great restaurants and coffee shops.
Then you can drive along the coast to small beach towns.
Haystack Rock (located at Cannon Beach)- iconic Oregon coast landmark
South Neahkahnie Mountain Trail (Moderate; 3.5 miles)
Cape Falcon Trail (Moderate; 4.5 miles)
Arch Cape to Cape Falcon Trail (Moderate; 7 miles)
Lower Cascade Head Trail (Moderate; 4 miles)
>>>
Silver Falls State Park
The Trail of Ten Falls (Easy-Moderate; 7.5 miles) Great spot to get to see all the waterfalls that Oregon is known for.
>>>
Crater Lake National Park
About a 4-hour drive south of Portland. But it’s totally worth it if you have the time.
Mount Scott Trail (Moderate; 4 miles)
Crater Lake Lots of easy-moderate hikes you can do surrounding the lake. There is lots of parking and amenities right at the lake so you can get incredible views w/o having to hike much at all.
>>>
Bend, OR + Surrounding Area
Bend, OR is about 3.5hrs from Portland.
The drive in between the two cities is one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen.
Smith Rock State Park (varies)
Lots of trails to explore.
Can get some really great views with minimal + easy hiking.
South Sister Trail (Hard, 11.5 miles)
Historic Black Butte Trail (Hard, 10miles)*
Deschutes River Trail (Easy; lengths vary)
Pilot Butte (Moderate, 2 miles)
Great spot in Bend to catch a sunrise or sunset.
You can hike the circular path up to the top or drive your car.
