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Lower Macleay Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 732 Google reviews · Running trail in Portland, Oregon · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 80 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Lower Macleay Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Public park featuring hiking trails, a public restroom, and picnic tables, plus Pittock Mansion.
What runners say about Lower Macleay Park
“A nice little park with clean bathrooms, flushable toilets soap and water available!”
“We walked from the upper MAcleay trail past the witches castle and were pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the hike to this park is.”
“It’s a peaceful, beautiful place to begin a trail run or hike, and there are bathrooms right at the start.”
Quick little hike down to the Witch's Castle. Round trip was 1.5 miles and 240 feet elevation gain. You could keep going if you're wanting to but I chose to just check out the castle. Trail was busy but not too crazy. Parked at Macleay Park.
A small park with a trail head to Forest Park. I come here running a lot and I enjoy the peacefulness of this area and of course the gorgeous Forest Park. There is also a public restroom which can come very handy or runners like me.
Beautiful trail. Nice, wide, well kept path. Some areas with soft shoulder near the creek, so keep littles close. The "witches castle" is about 1.25 miles from the trailhead. We packed a picnic lunch and played at the old stone mill for over an hour.
Excellent hike to check out the Witches's Castle, and old building that was built in the 30's by the Conservation Core. It's a shame about the graffiti that is on what is left of the stone building as the workmanship of the stone walls is just wonderful. The hike walking along the stream was very nice and relaxing.
Trail conditions & character
“We walked from the upper MAcleay trail past the witches castle and were pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the hike to this park is.”
“Having said that there is a lot on construction going on at the head of the trail and the small parking lot and about a block leading to the parking lot is blocked off for parking.”
“It's a very steep, narrow trail, that is about a half mile up.”
“One port-a-potty placed next to the locked restroom building was an odd choice but I was still glad for it.”
“There's no playground but room for kids to play and dogs to be walked.”
“5 miles and 240 feet elevation gain.”
“It’s a peaceful, beautiful place to begin a trail run or hike, and there are bathrooms right at the start.”
“The path is paved but still quite muddy and slippery in sections.”
“The path is paved but still quite muddy and slippery in sections.”
Plan your run at Lower Macleay Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance80 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteportlandoregon.gov
- Phone+1 503-823-7529
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 5 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Portland
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Leif Erikson Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 260 reviews
Popular place to hike, walk and run, with a mostly gravel path flanked by trees.
Macleay Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,362 reviews
Part of Forest Park, this preserve offers a variety of trails for hiking, biking & horseback riding.
NW 53rd Dr trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 144 reviews
Trail access point to explore a 5,200-acre urban forest park with roadside parking.
Waterfront Park Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 109 reviews
Riverside pathway featuring waterfront views, picnic tables, and access to several parks.