Transit: SW Bany & SW Tallac Way on Trimet Bus Line 88
Distance: 4.5 miles round trip
Add-ons: Secret hiking trail
The Westside Regional trail in Beaverton extends from the south side of Tualatin Hills Nature Park through residential areas and ends close to Cooper Mountain. It passes through the neighborhoods of West Beaverton, Sexton Mountain, and Neighbors Southwest. For a four-mile round trip ride, we recommend arriving by public transit or parking on the street near Summercrest Park.
We are calling this a fitness bike ride because it is guaranteed to increase your heart rate. It is not a leisurely ride like many of the local trails along powerlines. There are a lot of hills with 200-300 feet in elevation gain. That also means some fun speedy downhills though.
Starting at Summercrest Park, continue east through the park and nature area until it meets the Westside Regional trail. Turn right and continue along the trail which mostly follows powerlines. There are a couple road crossings, but streets are quiet and most have curb cuts which mean that it is pretty easy to cruise through without much interruption.
As you continue along the trail, elevation will continue to rise with some switchbacks and scenic views. Lots of moments to pause, catch your breath, and enjoy the scenery. We appreciated that the trail was wide and there were lots of trees and vegetation instead of just grass. There are some side dirt trails as well which means those walking can get some space as well.
If you decide to continue to the secret hiking trail, turn right on SW 155th until you see it on your right-hand side. This is a great place to enjoy a moment in nature or do a quick hiking detour. Unfortunately, there is no bike rack so leave your bike at your own risk. As the sign states, the trails were constructed for Murrayhill residents so please respect the nature area as you visit.
After getting your steps in–or just working up motivation to tackle more hills–continue on the Westside Regional trail to head back to Summercrest Park. The first section is uphill but after that it ends with a nice downhill. You deserve a good meal and break after this one!
Leave a Reply