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Link with Wildwood Trail to see all of Maple Trail while completing a loop in north Forest Park.


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Map Key

10.7

Miles

17.2

KM

Loop

879' 268 m

High

291' 89 m

Low

894' 273 m

Up

897' 274 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek

Overview

This route is featured on some Forest Park Conservancy maps. They highlight the chance to see all of Maple Trail while completing a loop. By linking with Leif Erikson and Wildwood Trail you get to experience the best of central Forest Park.

A couple of short, steep hills add variety to a course that's mostly gently rolling. Downed trees are the most common obstacles, with two easy stream crossings also along the way.

Need to Know

A bridge has been out on Maple Trail for about two years. Signs say to detour onto Koenig and Firelane 4, but if you're OK scrambling out of a small ravine there's no real need.

When hiking along Wildwood toward Maple, you'll encounter a sign that says "To Maple Trail." Ignore this sign; it is a short cut through some brambles. But from here be alert; the actual turn off to Maple is easier to miss, as it's a T intersection where the signs are not optimally placed.

Description

From the trailhead follow NW Saltzman Road for about half a mile, until the junction with Maple Trail. This is one of the more popular trails in the park, and can get busy during peak times.Turn right, and follow Maple until it dead ends at NW Leif Erikson Drive Trail. This section of trail is a gradual climb through the maple canopy.

Turn right again and follow Leif about three quarters of a mile. Enjoy the peace and quiet along the way on NW Leif Erikson Drive Trail - it's easy to zone out as you take in the sounds and sights of the forest, and forget how close you are to the city. The trail surface is generally smooth and wide, so there's room for the many bikes you'll likely see along the way.

After about three quarters of a mile, you'll find Wiregate Trail. Wiregate is a left off of Leif, and runs a short way steeply uphill to Wildwood Trail - National Recreation Trail. Turn left onto Wildwood. This trail provides for a quiet and serene hike through varied and evolving forest ecosystem.

After a little more than five miles on Wildwood, Maple is another left off of Wildwood. Maple will bring you back to NW Saltzman Road where you turned off, and the trailhead is about half a mile to your right.

Shared By:

Todd Johnson with improvements by George Schultz and 2 others

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 9 votes

#1

in Forest Park

#1180

Overall
  4.7 from 9 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Forest Park

#28

in Oregon

#1,180

Overall
50 Views Last Month
6,076 Since Feb 12, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Fog in the trees along Wildwood.
Feb 12, 2016 near West Haven, OR
A hiker and her dog make their way along the Wildwood Trail on a fall afternoon hike in November.
Nov 23, 2015 near West Haven, OR
View of St. Johns Bridge.
Apr 1, 2015 near West Haven, OR
A runner comes to the lower end of Fire Lane 3.
Nov 15, 2015 near West Haven, OR
A runner makes his way along the Maple Trail. The trail is very popular as it runs a little over three miles through the heart of Forest Park. It is very diverse in its offerings of elevation change and varied flora and fauna.
Nov 9, 2015 near West Haven, OR
A runner makes his way up the lower end of Fore Lane 5, just below the Wildwood Trail.
Nov 23, 2015 near West Haven, OR

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