Overlook Trail

Overlook Trail

A wide, consistent paved surface with  gentle grades. The trail offers elevated views of the Arboretum’s western slope and Portland’s west hills and  a nearby gravel-surface viewpoint featuring views of Mount St. Helens and other mountains on clear days.

Quick Facts:

A trail marker post with Overlook Trail highlighted in green at the top

Surface: Paved Asphalt

Grade: Under 5%

Elevation Gain/Loss: 110 feet (loss from the Visitor Center, gain from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Oregon.

Length: ½ mile (one way)

Number of Benches: 2 benches and 2 low walls for resting

Minimum Trail Width: 72 inches

Accessing Overlook Trail

There are 2 main access points to Overlook Trail, one from the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center, and one from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Parking Lot. 

A crosswalk marked with white painted lines leading from a parking lot to the start of a wide paved trail framed by low stone walls to either side and abundant foliage from shrubby and tall trees all around it. A parking meter is to the left side of the crosswalk.The Visitor Center trailhead is accessible directly from the parking lot adjacent to the Visitor Center on Fairview Blvd. This location has the most accessible bathrooms and water fountains at Hoyt Arboretum, and is a great place to grab a map and get some trail advice. From here, head uphill toward the south corner of the parking lot and start the Overlook Trail from the long paved path that begins to the right of the pay-to-park meter.

There are 2 ADA parking spaces in this larger lot, and 1 in the smaller lot across Fairview Blvd.

A section of a small parking lot that shows 3 handicapped parking spaces marked by blue painted squares with a white handicapped symbol in the middle, separated by access aisles marked with white striped paint. There are trees and shrub plantings all around the parking lot, and there is a sidewalk along the front edge of the parking spaces.To begin from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial parking lot, you can reach the Overlook Trailhead by crossing Kingston Blvd. at the southeast corner of the parking lot (the opposite direction from the Memorial entrance).

There are 6 ADA parking spaces in this lot.

A wide paved trail with a low stone wall to the right and an area of dry grass to the left of that trail which is leading toward a crosswalk marked by a yellow sign. A combination of shrubby and tall trees both evergreen and broadleaf frame the edges of the image from the right and into the background.If arriving by TriMet Max, exit the station by following signs toward the World Forestry Center and take the elevator. From there, follow the sidewalk uphill along Knights Blvd, and into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial parking lot, to the right. 

 

The front of the Visitor Center showing the Washington Park Free Shuttle stop.Washington Park Free Shuttle

The Washington Park Free Shuttle loops around the whole park and stops in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center. Shuttles run every 15 to 30 minutes from 9:30 am – 7 pm April through September, and 10am – 4pm October through March. All Washington Park Shuttles are wheelchair accessible.

Track the shuttle in real time.

Known Obstacles and Usability

The Overlook Trail is entirely paved. You’ll experience sweeping views of the surrounding hills as you move along this switchback trail that is roughly ½ a mile long (one way). The trail is gently sloped, with some up and downhill stretches.

The trail features both conifers and deciduous trees. As a result, you may encounter pinecones or fallen leaves in late summer and through fall.

There is a viewpoint just off Overlook Trail down a short, packed gravel path. At this section, the paved Overlook Trail surface transitions to packed gravel which opens up to a widened area with interpretive signage about the geology of the area.

The paved Overlook Trail intersects with a packed gravel section leading to the Overlook Viewpoint. The Overlook Viewpoint with 3 interpretive signs describing the geology of the area set in a widened, packed gravel outcropping near Overlook Trail and the Holly Loop.

There are a few optional trail shortcuts that involve shallow, wide stairs. Some of the grassy areas along the trail are on a steeper slope than the trail itself.

Resting spots

There are two benches and two low, long walls that can be used for resting along the trail.

 

A bench on the right-hand-side of a paved trail that is bending to the left around a trail marker. There are many small shrubs near the bench and a vista of tall conifers in the background.

Questions?

Please reach out to Hoyt Arboretum Friends for more information about trails including accessibility concerns.

[email protected]
503.865.8733

Web Design by Watermelon Web Works
Skip to content