The Local’s Guide to Trail Running in the Pacific Northwest

Lauren Gastineau has been running in the Pacific Northwest for as long as she can remember.

“I started running with my mom,” says Gastineau, a trail runner and travel blogger who grew up in Portland and is now based in Bend, Oregon. “She was always training for marathons, and she would bring me to the track when I was just four or five years old.” But even after a lifetime spent on the Pacific Northwest’s fern-draped singletrack and alpine ridgelines, Gastineau still feels like she’s only scratched the surface.

“There are so many incredible trails to explore, and many are really close to major towns,” she says. “You can go from the mountains to the coast to the high desert in a matter of hours.” On top of that, each trail takes on a completely different demeanor from season to season. In summer, alpine wildflowers carpet the mountain slopes, while fall dyes the forests red and gold. Sometimes, Gastineau says, it feels like you never run the same trail twice; there’s always something new to discover.

Build the Perfect PNW Running Kit

On top of that, the Pacific Northwest running community is famously tight-knit—and incredibly welcoming, says local runner and content creator Elizabeth Fieser. She would know: though she started trail running 15 years ago, Fieser didn’t move to the region until 2021. She was relieved to find an enthusiastic trail running community that greeted her with open arms. In a sense, the trails did, too—with so many to choose from, the region offers endless options for runners of every experience level.

“If you want big elevation gain, you can find huge peaks right in your backyard,” Fieser says. “And if you want a gentler, non-elevation run, there are incredible forested trails everywhere.”

There’s something else about the region that’s tougher for Fieser to put her finger on: a sense of spellbound enchantment. “There’s a softness to the dirt and a freshness to the air,” she says. “Because it’s always raining, there’s this smell of sweet magic—it’s clean and fresh and fun.”

In the PNW, running partners aren’t hard to come by—just sign up for a local running club, browse local Facebook groups, or join Seattle’s Gearhouse to get plugged into its statewide trail runner Slack channel. New trails aren’t hard to find either. Fieser and Gastinau both rely on Gaia, Instagram, and other apps to track down new routes. But the best source, they say, is always word of mouth. To that end, here are six of their own hand-picked recommendations for top Pacific Northwest trails.

Portland

Forest Park: Portland is called “The City in the Forest” for a reason—and that reason is Forest Park. “It’s one of the largest urban forests in the U.S., and it provides more than 80 miles of trails,” Gastinau says. Because of their low elevation, the trails here remain snow-free for much of the year, making the park a great choice for winter runners, as well as summer runners seeking shade. One of her favorite segments: a six-mile stretch of the Wildwood Trail that runs from the Vietnam Memorial to Lower Macleay Park. As you wind through towering redwoods, you’ll pass the Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, and Witch’s Castle, a 100-year-old stone ruin.

Trail of Ten Falls: “This trail is a favorite,” Gastinau says. The seven-mile track starts in verdant, moss-cloaked forest and winds past ten named waterfalls. “You get to run behind some of these falls, which is a quintessential Pacific Northwest experience,” Gastinau says. Word to the wise: due to all the cascades, the trails here can be slick. Prioritize good traction—Gastinau likes the grippy Brooks Cascadia 18—and pack a rain shell to ward against splashback.

Seattle

Mailbox Peak: This classic local hike was once so steep it was barely hikeable, let alone runnable. But a few years ago, land managers added a brand-new trail stacked with flowy, mellow switchbacks. The modern route is about ten miles round-trip with just under 4,000 feet of elevation gain. “It’s all on beautifully packed dirt, and there’s a literal mailbox at the top,” Fieser says. “I always look inside. Sometimes there are little trinkets in there—whatever people want to give to the mountain.” It’s a nice reward, but not the only one: summiters are also treated to sweeping views across the Cascade Range.

Kendall Katwalk: “This is hands down my favorite trail run in the area,” Fieser says. About an hour outside of Seattle, this stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail is a stunning 12.3-mile out-and-back. It gets its name from Kendall Peak’s knife-edge ridge—a jaw-dropping reward at the end of a steady six-mile climb. “The trail starts in beautiful old-growth forest, and within two miles you get into talus and more alpine terrain,” Fieser says. “At the end, you’ve got the Katwalk, which is wide enough to feel safe but offers 360-degree views over Gold Creek Valley and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.”

Bend

Three Sisters Wilderness: Three Sisters is one of Gastineau’s top picks for high-elevation running near Bend. For a 9.1-mile out-and-back, target the Green Lakes Trail. This scenic stretch of singletrack finishes at a handful of alpine tarns nestled beneath snow-streaked mountains. Need more mileage? For long training runs, “I’m obsessed with the Broken Top Loop,” Gastineau says. The wilderness area’s dense trail network makes it possible to sketch a 23-to-29-mile loop around Mount Broken Top—a rollicking circumnavigation through pristine alpine terrain. “It connects all the quintessential hikes in Bend: Green Lakes, Broken Top, McArthur Rim, and Golden Lake,” Gastinau says. Pro tip: “There are some rockier, dustier portions of trail here,” Gastineau says. “Bring shoes with good traction that won’t slip on the dust-covered rock.”

Smith Rock: “The regular loop around Smith Rock State Park is a classic, but if you head out of the park, there are some amazing options,” Fieser says. Her top pick: the 16-mile out-and-back from the main parking area to the summit of Gray Butte. “It’s cruisy and divine,” Fieser says. “And because it’s high desert, the snow melts fast here, making this a stellar choice even in the winter. I’m smitten.”

Smith Rock Running Trails

From the mountains to the coast to the high desert, here’s what you need to trail run in the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is famous for variable conditions and heavy precipitation, which makes your kit particularly important. “First, you’ll need a good running pack,” Fieser says. “I wouldn’t go out with just a running belt on any of the peaks. I’m all for having a little extra gear just in case.”

For Fieser, those essentials include gloves, extra snacks, water, and a rain shell. “I really like the High Point Waterproof Jacket,” she recommends. “It packs down to nothing, and the material is stretchy but waterproof.” Because the jacket is so breathable, Fieser also sometimes wears it over a wicking tee—like the High Point Short Sleeve—as a wind layer or midlayer in cold conditions.

If you’re running high-desert trails or routes above treeline, sun protection is also a must, Gastineau adds.

“You have to trust what you’re running in,” Gastineau says. “If you don’t, you’re going to be hesitant with each step and not as immersed in the run.” Her shoe of choice for the PNW is the Brooks Cascadia 18. “It has good traction and aggressive lugs, which dig into the trails here.” Paired with a running sock like the Brooks High Point Crew, the Cascadia 18’s cushioned midsole all but eliminates foot fatigue over longer runs. “It’s great for both pavement and rocky terrain alike,” Gastineau says.

Brooks Running creates market-leading performance running footwear, apparel, sports bras, and accessories distributed worldwide. Brooks exists to inspire everyone to run and be active, through innovative gear, tools, and experiences designed to take you to the place that makes you feel more alive. Since 1914, Brooks has been propelled by a never-ending curiosity with how humans move, pushing the limits of motion science, engineering, and technology to create gear that unlocks the power of energy and movement for everyone. Brooks is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Visit brooksrunning.com for more information or follow @brooksrunning.