Very kid-friendly, the trail is flat and easy, with a number of beaches that invite boot removal.

Much of Oregon was once blanketed with immense, centuries-old trees. Free from major human interference, these ancient forests nurtured a staggering amount of life, fauna to flora to fungi. Today, less than 10 percent of this old-growth remains.

Which makes the Old Salmon River Trail such a gem. Here, about an hour from Portland just off Highway 26 on the way to Mount Hood, a soft path snakes past gargantuan Douglas firs, western red cedars, and western hemlocks. As soon as you start out, the canopy closes over you. Thick, gray-green tangles of old-man’s beard sway from the branches above. Carpets of moss look soft enough for a nap. Sword ferns, trilliums, salmonberry, and vine maple adorn the understory. It feels, dare we say, magical.

The flat, easy trail heads south and hugs the Salmon River. One of Oregon’s officially designated Wild and Scenic Rivers, it rages in places and widens and eddies in others. A couple of small sandy beaches invite boot removal. At about the half-mile mark, a relatively calm, emerald-hued pool comes into view, perfect for a dip on a hot day. 

On the trail, the rich humus underfoot has a certain give, and footfall has a deeper resonance. Stop along the way to marvel at nurse logs, the fallen trees that offer a leg up for seedlings that would struggle to take root amid the thick moss of the forest floor. As they decompose, these logs also provide habitat for everything from beetles to banana slugs to bears (though on this trail you’re more likely to spot a chipmunk). Then turn your eyes to the sky, where birds flit among the tallest tree crowns. Life happens on all levels here.

Centuries-old trees stretch into the sky, providing habitat for all sorts of creatures.

After about two miles, you’ll meet the southern trailhead. Between the trailheads are road pull-outs with easy access, creating opportunities for shorter hikes and car shuttles. Be aware that the trail, while very kid-friendly, does pop briefly onto the road a few times. Traffic tends to be light. 

Interested in a longer, more challenging hike? Where the Old Salmon River Trail ends, the Salmon River Trail picks up, reaching 14 miles into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness and offering spectacular viewpoints and backcountry camping options. 

Post-Hike Watering Hole

Not even 10 minutes from the trailhead, Koya Kitchen in Welches has sushi, poke, and soba noodles, along with picnic benches and hammocks set among huge trees. Those on the move can snag to-go sake or craft cocktails (hello, Pink Lotus Saki-Tini).

Drive Time: 70 minutes
Distance: 3.8 miles out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Peak Season: Hikeable all seasons; snow-free almost year-round
Fee: Northwest Forest Pass or $5 day-use fee