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Home/Walks/Walking Portland: Iconic Northwest Loop + Willamette Heights

Walking Portland: Iconic Northwest Loop + Willamette Heights

This mostly easy 3-mile Walking Portland route includes four NW Portland neighborhoods (Pearl District, Northwest District, Nob Hill, Slabtown), three gorgeous parks (The Fields, Tanner Springs, Couch), an optional 2-mile extension into the Willamette Heights neighborhood, and iconic NW 21st and NW 23rd streets.

It’s a great winter walk, with tons of visual interest, a stunning bridge crossing, numerous local coffee respites, popular eateries, and interesting shops along the route.

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The Fields Park, Beautiful In All Seasons

The walk launches from Portland’s Pearl District, slips under I-205, and heads east to the shopping district locals call Nob Hill and/or The District.

Northeast 21st and 23rd Avenues are the heart of this lively neighborhood and are packed with eateries, bakeries, taverns, coffee enclaves, funky-cool shops, local folks, and the local scene. And you don’t want to miss the Curiously Delicious Ice Cream.

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I-405 Overpass Between Pearl District & Northwest District

But to get to The District, you must bypass one blaring, four-lane freeway above. Heading east, at NE 15th Street, put your hands to your ears and walk fast. At 16th Street you’ll be in the Northwest District.

Wallace Park in Portland's Northwest District.
Beautiful Wallace Park in Northwest Portland

From there you’ll head to NW 21st and NW 23rd streets where you’ll find at least five local coffee shops and two iconic tea meccas. Definitely check out Steven Smith Tea’s flagship shop on the avenue. It’s a stunner. But first experience Stenzel Healing Garden while you’re nearby.

Stenzel Healing Garden, Good Samaritan Hospital
Legacy Healing Garden

After you’ve toured NW 21st and NW 23rd streets, the route heads a few blocks west and then north to NW Thurman Street, at which point you can head back through Slabtown or take the optional route further west into the Willamette Heights neighborhood. If you have time, definitely head west.

Walking Portland Lower Macleay Trail 3 1
Balch Gulch Bridge Above Macleay Park Trail

Willamette Heights is a world removed, serene and lovely in all seasons. Plus spectacular views of the city and river below. You’ll be rewarded with a very cool bridge crossing, spectacular views, and some of the loveliest homes in Portland.

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Willamette Heights Neighborhood

Online Interactive Walking Route Map

WALKING PORTLAND ICONIC NW LOOP WILLAMETTE HEIGHTS
Iconic Northwest Loop + Willamette Heights

Our route maps are designed so you can both follow and keep track of where you are on the route from your iPhone while walking. On your computer, save the route map to your bookmarks bar and then open that link from your iPhone.

While walking, open the Legend field on the map to get turn-by-turn directions. If Google Maps is tracking properly (occasionally, in some areas, it glitches) you’ll see a small blue ball that represents you on the map. That helps to keep track of where you actually are on the route.

Walk Details

ROUTE MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aFaLojhf88fl3GGiHE4AOUTCE6g&usp=sharing

ROUTE MAP IN REVERSE: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=18Iz-bMx_ToY0i8eb0-kOxVmJBikwmjhF&usp=sharing

PARKING: Paid street parking near Ovation Coffee. Or hop onboard Portland Streetcar and debark at NW Johnson (across from Tanner Springs Park).

DISTANCE: 3-5 miles

TIME: 2-3+ hours.

TERRAIN: Mostly flat, city sidewalks, some of which are in dire need of repair. Caution!

DIFFICULTY: Mostly easy. And fun!

PARKING: Paid street parking near Ovation Coffee. Or hop onboard Portland Streetcar and debark at NW Johnson (across from Tanner Springs Park).

WALKING PORTLAND: JOHNS LANDING, GIBBS STREET PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, SOUTH WILLAMETTE GREENWAY
Preparing for an upcoming SkyBlue Portland group walk. We’re your team!

Monthly Group Walks

SkyBlue Portland Real Estate Group hosts monthly group walks through some of Portland Metro’s most beautiful, uplifting, and interesting neighborhoods.

For info on our Portland Metro walking tours, check out our Facebook page, Women Who Walk and corresponding Meetups (PDX Women Who Walk and West Linn Women Who Walk). And join us!

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PDX Women Who Walk: Oaks Bottom, Westmoreland Park, Garthwick Loop

Willamette Heights Photo Gallery

Walking Portland Lower Macleay Trail 3
Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
Walking Portland Lower Macleay Trail 4
Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
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Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
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Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
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Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
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Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
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Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
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Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
WILLAMETTE HEIGHTS KINGS HEIGH 1
Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
WILLAMETTE HEIGHTS KINGS HEIGH 2
Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
WILLAMETTE HEIGHTS KINGS HEIGH 3
Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
WILLAMETTE HEIGHTS KINGS HEIGH 4
Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
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Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
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Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
WILLAMETTE HEIGHTS KINGS HEIGH 7
Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
WILLAMETTE HEIGHTS KINGS HEIGH 8
Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon
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Willamette Heights, Portland, Oregon

Northwest District Photo Gallery

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Centennial Mills, Portland, Oregon
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I-405 Overpass, Northwest District, Portland, Oregon
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Wallace Park, Portland,
Oregon
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Northwest District, Portland, Oregon
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Northwest District, Portland, Oregon
WALLACE PARK 2020 02 10
Northwest District, Portland, Oregon
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Serratto, NW District
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Ken’s Artisan Bakery, NW District

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Sterling Coffee, NW District
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Route Planning. SkyBlue Portland
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Coffee Time, NW 21st
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Coffee Time. NW 21st
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Sterling Coffee, NW 21st
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Sterling Coffee, NW 21st

Written by:
Susan S. Bradley
Published on:
February 1, 2022
Thoughts:
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Categories: Walks, Walking PortlandTags: #this northwest life, Northwest District, NW Portland, PDX, Pearl District, Portland neighborhoods, Slabtown, walking Portland, walking tour, Willamette Heights

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This Northwest Life is a celebration of all the reasons we call Oregon and Southern Washington Home. There’s adventure at every turn, from hiking, running, biking, boating, paddle boarding, and kayaking to top-notch restaurants, thriving coffee scene, and award-winning beer and wine culture. Add entrepreneurial fervor, artisan/craft everything, botanical gardens, glorious parks, long stretch of coastline, a whopping big river, and temperate climate and it’s easy to see why.

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