Pittock Mansion Hike

Written By Dakoda Brown

Pittock Mansion

The Wildwood Trail to Pittock Mansion is a popular Forest Park/Washington Park hike that climbs through dense forest to one of Portland’s classic city and Mount Hood viewpoints at Pittock Mansion.​

Basic Route Options

  • The most common version starts at Lower Macleay Park, follows Balch Creek past the Stone House (“Witch’s Castle”), then climbs the Wildwood Trail to Pittock Mansion and returns the same way.​

  • Another well-known option starts from Hoyt Arboretum, crosses the Barbara Walker Crossing over Burnside, then continues on Wildwood to Pittock, making roughly a 3‑mile round trip.​

Distance, Elevation, Difficulty

  • Lower Macleay to Pittock Mansion is about 5 miles round trip with roughly 900–950 feet of elevation gain, generally rated moderate but manageable for most active hikers.​

  • From Hoyt Arboretum, the hike is closer to 3 miles round trip with about 300 feet of elevation gain, making it a shorter, gentler option.​

Trail Experience and Scenery

  • The route from Lower Macleay follows a creek-side forest with big evergreens, ferns, bridges, and the mossy Stone House ruin before joining the Wildwood Trail for a steady climb via switchbacks.​

  • Approaching Pittock Mansion, the forest opens into the parking area and grounds, where you can walk around the mansion and enjoy sweeping views over Portland and, on clear days, Mount Hood and other Cascade peaks.​

Logistics and Tips

  • No trail pass is required for these routes, but some start points (like Hoyt Arboretum or the Rose Garden variants) may have time-limited or paid parking, so checking parking signs is important.​

  • The trail is usable year-round, though it can be muddy and busy; starting early in the day or on weekdays helps avoid crowds, especially on the upper Wildwood switchbacks near Pittock.​

Dakoda Brown
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Bloom Lake Hike