When you think of Ashland, images of great theater typically dance in the heads of the average visitor. After all, this is home to the world-famous Shakespeare Festival. But did you know that Ashland is also a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts? We are in Oregon, after all!
Tucked in the foothills of the Siskiyou National Forest and the southern Cascade Mountain range, this area is brimming with scenic vistas, making for fantastic hiking trails. Soak in the sights and sounds of the forest and get your hike on!
Here are the best hiking and biking trails in the Ashland area.
Lithia Park
We begin right here in the heart of Ashland. Lithia Park is a 90-acre jewel of a nature park perfect for a peaceful stroll. There are a variety of ponds and waterfalls made possible by Ashland Creek, which runs right through the park. Trails lead all around and back to downtown Ashland and shade can be found under magnificent Sycamore trees.
When you want to relax, stroll the Japanese garden, take a rest at one of two duck ponds and a rose garden. Bring a friend or the entire family and indulge in the tennis court, sand-pit volleyball court, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
Grizzly Peak Trail
For something a little more challenging, try this moderate hike that features two viewpoints. It is a 5.2-mile hike with about 800 feet of elevation to tackle. Located about 14 miles northeast of Ashland, this hike is particularly beautiful in late spring when the meadows overflow with wildflowers such as Baker’s Violet and Siskiyou Onion.
Burn Viewpoint is where you can see the remnants of the 2002 East Antelope Fire. At Ashland Viewpoint, you are treated to a spectacular view of the city, as well as Mt. Shasta, Mt. Ashland, and Pilot Rock. Note that this trail is typically open from May through November.
Grouse Gap Trail / Pacific Crest Trail
For some serious nature time, hikers of all skill levels will delight in Grouse Gap. Located 23 miles south of Ashland, you’ll see several fire scars that relay the long history of Southern Oregon and its wildfires. Today, the Ashland Forest Resiliency Stewardship Project keeps these trails safe by reducing the risk of large-scale fires and working to restore healthy ecosystems in the forest.
For hikers who want a challenge, Grouse Gap connects to the more difficult Summit Trail, as well as the famous Pacific Crest Trail, which runs 2,600 miles from Mexico to Canada. The PCT was featured in the hit 2014 film, Wild, and the best-selling memoir of the same name. This hike brings you close to the summit of Mt. Ashland and offers some of the very best views of Oregon.
This trail is great all year long, with wildflowers blooming in the warmer months, and a great opportunity for snowshoeing when the weather gets cold and snowy.