Spring is on its way and with the improved weather and the start of Daylight Saving Time (March 12), there’s no reason to stay inside. Tualatin Valley offers plenty of great running, hiking, biking and walking trails — perfect for anyone training for a race or just looking to see the sights while they exercise.
Places to run in Tualatin Valley
Rock Creek Trail
If you training program has you on shorter mileage day or you are on a couch-to-5K plan, the Rock Creek Trail is a fantastic 3.5-mile trail in Hillsboro. In just a few miles, you’ll run past forests, wetlands, meadows and a variety of recreation areas.
The Rock Creek Trail is the site of the weekly Parkrun, which is part of a global community. The runs started in England in 2004 and now hosts more than 2,000 events around the globe, including 57 in the US. The Rock Creek Trail parkrun boasts 1,133 different finishers who have collectively completed 3,983 5Ks. Finishers have traveled from all over the world to partake in the park runs, including from Russia, New Zealand, Wales, South Africa, Ireland, Germany, England, Australia, and from all over the United States. For more information on the Rock Creek Trail parkrun, visit here.
Tualatin Hills Nature Park
Easily accessible by the MAX light rail (Merlo Road/SW 158th Station), this trail is perfect for a woods-y run. The trail is a 3.4-mile loop through 222-acres of natural area that’s home to plenty of wildlife you may spot along your way.
Cooper Mountain Trail
If you want views while you train, head to Cooper Mountain, which overlooks Tualatin Valley and the Chehalem Mountains. There are 3.5 miles of trails of varying difficulty to get you ready for any race.
Fanno Creek Trail
Beaverton, Tigard and Tualatin are connected by this 18.6-mile trail that’s perfect for running. There are several entry points to the trail, including from Main Street in Tigard. You can pass over the Tualatin River via the Ki-a-Kuts Bridge, with a gorgeous view of the river below. A great approximately 3.5-mile option is to start at the trail head (with parking!) at SW Denney Road. Run along the trail, crossing SW Hall Blvd. and through Greenway Park to the trail head at SW Scholls Ferry Road and then turn back.
Banks-Vernonia State Trail
The car-less 21-mile trail may be a runner’s perfect training ground. A wide and paved path provides plenty of room for runners, cyclists and the occasional equestrian to take in the scenic views of this rails-to-trails project.
Henry Hagg Lake Loop
If you’re looking a longer run, take on the perimeter of the lake and its outlying parts for 13 miles of dual hiking and biking trails. There are plenty of scenic rest stops with the park’s observation sites.