

Related Read: The 10 Best Scenic Drives in Oregon 1.

Be sure to look up the current status of the Cascade-area trails below, or call the local ranger station for up-to-date information, before you attempt to hike them.Īs always, don’t forget to follow Leave No Trace principles when hiking, like minimizing your impact and properly disposing of waste. Opal Creek and Abiqua Falls are two such beloved trails that were heavily damaged by the fires and will remain closed for a time while the landscape heals. The catastrophic 2020 Oregon wildfires have affected many trails in the region. You’ll find this to be a wide-ranging selection of trails that can be found everywhere from the steps of the state capitol buildings to the heights of Mount Jefferson’s timberline, and everywhere in between. Outside of town, escalating foothills rise up to the Cascade and Coast mountain ranges where rainforests, waterfalls, and volcanic rock formations await to be explored. There are numerous parks within the city that are decorated with enchanting trails along the area’s biologically diverse riverfront wetlands. As such, Salem-area trails are home to some of the most scenic hikes in the state. Sure, Portland has Mount Hood, but you can’t see the mountain when you’re on top of it. The Cherry City has plenty going for it, though, especially in the realm of outdoor exploration. Known as Oregon’s state capital, but otherwise overshadowed in many respects by big brother Portland, Salem is like a diamond in the rough.
