Trolley Trail Loop

Named for the Portland Traction Company interurban trolley that operated from 1893 to 1968, the Trolley Trail opened for recreational use in 2012. The 20-mile Trolley Trail Loop follows this and two other multimodal pathways - the Springwater Corridor and I-205 Multi-Use Path. With 17 miles (84%) of the route following paved, multi-use paths separated from automobile traffic, this mostly flat ride makes it the perfect choice for families and riders looking for an easy ride that takes you through picturesque parks and quaint, urban neighborhoods.

Start your ride on the Trolley Trail at the terminus of the MAX Orange Line. Each MAX light rail train is outfitted with up to 8 designated bike rack spaces making a cycling-train combination a fun and eco-friendly way to start your journey. Alternatively, the park-n-ride at SE Park Avenue and SE Mcloughlin Boulevard offers 401 free parking spaces (be aware that weekdays are the busy-time for this parking area as many commuters use it for their work week).

Bike north on the Trolley Trail and you will soon encounter work by local artisans created and installed in conjunction with the opening of the MAX Orange Line. There’s a chainsaw carved bear catching salmon, a waterwheel sculpture symbolizing the hard work of early settlers, as well as other unique sculptures that usher you along your route.

Soon you’ll arrive at Milwaukie Bay Park, located on an 8.5 acre site nestled between the Willamette River to the west and Milwaukie’s downtown to the east. Saunter over to the Klein Point overlook tucked in the northwest corner of the park for outstanding river views as Johnson Creek flows into the Willamette River.

Just north of Milwaukie Bay Park the route jogs to the left and leaves the Trolley Trail at the intersection of SE 17th Avenue and SE Mcloughlin Boulevard. Stay on the pathway that parallels SE 17th for approximately one mile. At SE Linn Street take a right and connect to the Springwater Corridor for 4.5 miles of pancake flat cruising along another former rail corridor. Part of Portland’s 40-mile loop system and inspired by a 1903 Olmsted plan for a system of parkways and boulevards to connect greenspaces, this 21-mile paved trail from Portland to Boring is one of the regions premier trails. A pleasant break is the Tideman Johnson Natural Area, a 7.5-acre plat just west of SE Johnson Creek Boulevard and directly accessible from the Springwater Corridor. It is a noted destination for bird watching, as the location attracts herons, kingfishers, mourning doves, owls, pigeons, and woodpeckers.

From Tideman Johnson City Park continue traveling east on the Springwater Corridor. If you need a pick-me-up, stop at Cartlandia, a bike-friendly food cart wonderland located at 82nd and Springwater Corridor. This food and drink mecca offers over 30 international carts, (including a Voodoo Doughnuts), a family friendly beer garden and live music Thursday – Sunday.

About one mile past Cartlandia, you will intersect the third pathway: the I-205 multi-use path, which spans 18.5 miles through five cities and 15 neighborhoods along interstate 205. Recent trail improvements include wayfinding signage and overhead path lighting. As you continue paralleling interstate 205, the routes halfway point at the Clackamas Town Center offers another opportunity to grab a bite or refill the water bottle.

After crossing SE Sunnyside Road and SE Sunnybrook Boulevard continue on the I-205 path to 82nd Drive where the path crosses to the east side of the interstate. Take the bike lanes on 82nd for approximately one mile to Hwy 212 (listed as Carver Road on Ride w/ GPS map), where you will cross back over the interstate and reconnect to the I-205 multi-use path just before SE McKinley Ave. Stay on the I-205 multi-use path south to the City of Gladstone where you will transition back SE 82nd Avenue. Take the 82nd bike lanes down to the circular drive, where you’ll enter Cross Memorial Park. Located along the Clackamas River, this hidden gem has been upgraded with permanent restrooms, picnic tables and paved walking/bicycle paths down to the Clackamas River. Depending on water level and time of year, you might spot boats fishing for salmon, steelhead and trout.

The short trail at Cross Park puts you out onto East Clackamas Blvd, where you’ll quickly re-connect on a trail through Charles Ames Memorial park. Follow this until it turns back into East Clackamas Blvd, then a quick right on Portland Avenue takes you north up to the Trolley Trail. Starting at the Gladstone Senior Center (if you hit Abernethy Ln, you’ve gone too far as this parallels the trail just to the north), take the Trolley Trail until it ends at Abernethy Lane, then take that north to the Jennings Avenue intersection. You’ll be back on the Trolley trail at this point, so cross Jennings so you finish on the west side of McLoughlin Blvd, continuing NW along the trail.

At 16.8 miles, you’ll pass Stringfield Family Park, where there are restrooms and a water fountain to fill up. About 1.5 miles ahead, take a right on Arista Drive, as you ride through Oak Grove, a pleasant community with a quaint downtown offering coffee shops, restaurants, bars and shopping. Re-connect with the Trolley Trail at Courtney Avenue, where you’ll finish out your ride back to the MAX Orange Line. Lather, rinse and repeat for those looking for more miles, or pack it up and ride the MAX back from whence you came.