Leif Erikson Drive to Saltzman Road

Portland, Oregon

4.7/5

based on 3 reviews

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Distance

11.47 miles

Elevation Gain

1608 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Rachel Davidson

11.5-mile run along a gravel fire road that is a popular weekend destination for runners, hikers, and bikers. It's also within 3 miles of downtown Portland and has mile markers every ¼ mile.

Leif Erikson Drive is a wide dirt road running through the heart of Forest Park that is closed to motorized vehicles…making it a magnet for those looking to add some relatively easy and scenic distance to their workouts.

The road itself is nicely graded and well maintained. It has relatively good drainage, so it’s a good go-to destination if you’re looking for a more scenic run during wet weather.

If you’re looking to add some adventure to your runs, Leif Erikson features several access points to the beautiful and heavily forested Wildwood Trail. Wildwood runs parallel to Leif Erikson, so you have the opportunity to create a limitless number of trail loops.

For this particular run, start at the trailhead at the end of NW Thurman St, follow the trail north through the park. Turn around at the intersection of Saltzman Rd and return to the start.

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Fitness

Running

Dog Friendly

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Forest

Scenic

Leif Erikson Drive to Saltzman Road Reviews

Explorer

Rachel Davidson

Explorer

Leif Erikson Drive to Saltzman Road

12/22/16

The quarter-mile markers make it easy to track your time and progress, without fussing with your phone or watch. My only beef is that parking is difficult - there's space for about 10 cars at the end of Thurman St. where the trail starts, which is why you'll see a lot of runners park further down the road and run up.

5.0

Explorer

Madison Sankovitz

Explorer

Leif Erikson Drive to Saltzman Road

06/29/16

I love Forest Park because you can escape from the city easily and quickly. This is a beautiful running spot!

5.0

Explorer

Sarah Horn

Explorer

Leif Erikson Drive to Saltzman Road

03/14/16

This is a go-to trail for me when I want to get a long run in that isn't full of steep up hills and downhills. Great for dogs too. The only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars is because you don't get that many great viewpoints along the way.

4.0

Leave No Trace

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Leif Erikson Drive to Saltzman Road

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Leif Erikson Drive to Saltzman Road Reviews

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Lower Macleay Park to Pittock Mansion

The Witch's Castle

Photograph Downtown Portland From Pittock Mansion

Portland Japanese Garden

Hoyt Arboretum

International Rose Test Garden

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