Council Crest - Hewett

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Portland, OR, US

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Route Overview

BikePortland.org

The best roads — and backroads — in the Portland region.

19 mi.

1,566 ft.

Looking for a quick escape from the office or a memorable weekend jaunt? This loop takes you on one of Portland's most iconic climbs and delivers low-traffic roads, windy flats, and breathtaking views.

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Route Details

From downtown Portland, make your way on **SW Broadway** and head south. This is the most direct route out of town and it has a bike lane the entire way. In the last section (near Portland State University) you'll actually get to ride in one of the city's protected bike lanes. (Keep your head up in this section, since campus-goers tend to wander into the path.)

Continue south on Broadway across I-405 and follow the green-painted bike lane to continue south on SW 6th Ave. 6th will become **SW Terwilliger** you'll head briefly west. @point[Take a left at the gas station](99,0.948) to stay on Terwilliger (it turns into SW Sam Jackson Rd if you go straight). Now the fun begins with a gradual climb on Terwilliger.

You'll stay on Terwilliger for about two miles, weaving through a lush, green landscape that will remind you why this road used to be called Terwilliger Parkway.

At about mile 4, @point[veer right](439,1) onto **SW Westwood Drive** to start the big climb. You'll ascend 462 feet in 1.5 miles as you wind your way up to **SW Fairmount**.

Fairmount will give you time to rest before the final pitch up to the @slice[rim ride around Council Crest summit](1617,60).

After checking the views (look east for Mt. Hood!), you'll head northwest and connect onto **SW Hewett Blvd**. At the end of Hewett, you'll continue northbound by rolling over a sidewalk that dumps you onto SW Scholls Ferry Road. Head north over Highway 26 on Scholls Ferry and it turns into **SW Skyline Blvd**. There's @point[a Starbucks and a gas station](2055,0.176) here if you need to re-fuel.

*This is a narrow section of Skyline and it's a climb, so use caution.*

From Skyline, you'll go right (east) onto **SW Fairview Blvd** which will take you right into Washington Park. At about mile 12.0 you'll go right onto **SW Knights Blvd** for just a few tenths of a mile. Then you'll go left on **SW Kingston**.

Enjoy the downhill on Kingston which will drop you right to the world famous **Portland Rose Garden**. This area can get crowded on sunny weekends, so be advised. To continue on the route, turn right off Kingston onto **SW Sherwood Blvd**.

Sherwood ends at a water reservoir and comes to **SW Sacajawea Blvd**. Take a right onto Sacajawae for only about 100 feet, then go left up onto a sidewalk near the fountain. Go left again at the next sidewalk and cross **SW Lewis Clark Way**. Once you cross Lewis Clark you'll head down a shaded path and you need to @point[make the first hairpin right turn](2886,0.443). Now you're on a secret path that only locals use, so slow down and be aware of walkers and other path users. The pavement is really bad too, so just take your time and enjoy the trees, sounds, and shade.

This path drops you right onto **W Burnside**. If you like urban riding, you'll love this section. Burnside is a busy street, so just take the lane and soak up the urban scenes. If you don't like busy Burnside, you can find any number of sidestreets that will get you back into downtown. I prefer to take Burnside to **SW Stark** which has a big green bike lane and leads right back to SW Broadway to complete the loop.

Other routes by BikePortland.org

BikePortland.org

The best roads — and backroads — in the Portland region.

Portland, OR, US

This is my off-road version of "De Ronde PDX." It's 3 of the steepest climbs in Forest Park (with a fourth thrown in for extra credit) all rolled into one. For your pain and suffering you get precious for...more

This is my off-road version of "De Ronde PDX." It's 3 of the steepest climbs in Forest Park (with a fourth thrown in for extra credit) all rolled into one.

For your pain and suffering you get precious forest solitude, fun descents, and a big sense of accomplishment. (less)

BikePortland.org

The best roads — and backroads — in the Portland region.

BikePortland.org

The best roads — and backroads — in the Portland region.

Council Crest - Hewett - Zoo Loop

Route Overview

Route Details

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