The Beautiful Trails in Our Hillsboro Neighborhood

Our Stay in Hillsboro, OR

Starting from Home ...

When we lived in Hillsboro, OR, having beautiful trails nearby in case we didn’t want to drive the distance but still wanted some fresh air, some outdoor light, and some miles in was a blessing. We have walked these well-paved trails and beautiful parks in all four seasons, and we discovered something new each time. The trails encouraged us to go out often, even on rainy days.

From Home to Orenco Woods Nature Park

Over a century ago, Orenco Woods Nature Park was the site of the Oregon Nursery Company (ORE-gon, N-Nursery, CO-company), the largest nursery on the West Coast, renowned for its Orenco apples.

The historic Malcolm Macdonald House, once owned by the nursery’s founder, still stands within the park. The distinctive “Seeds of Orenco,” a metal statue, is a lasting tribute to the nursery’s significant role in the region’s history.

Head over Heals

Another pleasant piece of artwork we discovered in the park is Patrick Dougherty’s. It’s interactive—children run through and around the artwork. He used willow and red-twig dogwood saplings to shape this Stickwork sculpture, Head over Heals.

Dougherty’s Stickwork sculptures often feature whimsical and surprising forms. He periodically builds a new sculpture in a different community, and his art installations can be found in many American states and various countries.

From Evergreen Pkwy to NW Wilkins street, walking part of the Rock Creek Regional Trail (5 miles)

The Rock Creek Regional Trailfollows the scenic Rock Creek Greenway for nearly two miles, from Rock Creek Blvd north of HW 26 south to NW Wilkins Street through Orchard Park. When I walk here, I know I am in the middle of the suburbs, but I hardly notice it. The trail offers beautiful wooden bridges, woodlands, and meadows. This trail is well-maintained and comfortable to walk. Parking and restroom facilities are available at two locations: Cherry Lane Trailhead and Orchard Park. Orchard Park is a well-visited community park. It has a (first in Hillsboro) public disc golf course, which is frequently used by the locals. It also has a playground where small children like to climb and play. We love the park because a separate path leads through open and wooded natural areas with boardwalks and viewpoints. The trail ends at NW Wilkins street, our turning point when we want to walk 5 miles in total.

From Evergreen Pkwy around the Rock Creek Golf Course (5.5 miles)

Another choice is walking through a beautiful suburb near the Rock Creek Golf Course. Instead of following the Rock Creek Greenway south, we go north crossing Evergreen Pkwy! In the end, we go left following the NW Rock Creek Boulevard to NW Rock Creek Powerline Trail. Sometimes we see young kids playing soccer at one of the four soccer fields. On bright days, we can see the top of Mount Hood! A little further, we walk on the golf course, which is allowed as long as you stay on the trail. At Bethany Lake Park, we turn right on NW Columbia Ave, and after about 1 mile, we turn right at NW Melrose Drive. Back at the Rock Creek Greenway, we go south again.

Trailhead Ross Lake Trail
Mountain View
Dam and Ross Lake
Ross Dam
The Skagit River

DateS

From July 2018
to July 2020

Distances

6.16 miles

Moving Time

2:53:52 hours

Weather

68 °F, light breeze, sun and clouds