Portland

Smack in the middle of town, Forest Park, Portland’s 5,200-acre urban wilderness, is laced with 80 miles of hiking trails. An hour’s drive to the south, in Silver Falls State Park, the 7.8-mile Trail of Ten Falls hosts ten waterfalls that trickle down steep canyon walls. Elk Meadows Loop, in Mount Hood National Forest, offers alpine flavor.

Denver

For most people, the capital of Colorado is all about getting some altitude, and the nearby trails don’t disappoint. Mount Bierstadt, one of Colorado’s most accessible fourteeners, and the famed alpine of Rocky Mountain National Park, are both within two hours of downtown.

Washington, D.C.

The nation’s capital doesn’t have a reputation as an outdoor town. A quick jaunt into centrally located Rock Creek Park—a 1,754-acre hardwood forest crisscrossed by 32 miles of hiking trails—is enough to change most people’s minds. Check out the Rock Creek Ramble, a creek-side stroll through a section of the park that was frequented by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Los Angeles

Look at a map of L.A. and you’ll discover that the city is surrounded by green, and that means great hiking. The 6.1-mile Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak, in the Santa Monica Mountains, offers a little elevation and big views of the surrounding mountains and coastline.

Cite…

When it comes to planning a trip, it might seem like one has to pick between the freedom of the great outdoors and the hustle and bustle of a city. But, that’s not always true — you don’t have to pick.

There are cities around the world that are unexpectedly good for hiking, which means you can have your city adventure and your country escape at the same time. There are so many incredible cities, both domestic and international, that are backed up against a mountain, or beside a river, or next to a preserve.

Having the ability to stay in a city, while having access to miles of trails is a pretty epic double-whammy, and gives you way more bang for your buck than you thought possible.

Here is a list of cities that have truly natural hiking trails in walking distance or a very short ride from their urban center. Get the most out of your trip by choosing a dynamic location where your adventures are aplenty.

Even if you’re not into hiking, you can use the trails for other activities like birdwatching, biking, and in some cases, horseback riding. Not to mention, spending time in a new city can be exhilarating, but it will be nice to know that if you need a literal breath of fresh air, you can get it.

Here are some of the best international cities to hike in…

The centerpiece of the famed Pittock Mansion Hike is Forest Park – the city’s own 5,157-acre park – while the crown jewel is Pittock Mansion itself, a 102-year-old home that stands proudly over Portland.

The mansion was home to Henry and Georgiana Pittock, two Portlanders who were pioneers in more ways than one. Henry, a born Englishman, traveled to Oregon in 1853 and began work at the Weekly Oregonian, a paper he took ownership of only seven years later.

Local streets take you up to the mansion, but the hike to the spot is absolutely fantastic, easily one of the best hikes (if not the very best) in Portland.

This lower part of the hike is nothing short of magical. The storybook stroll leads under moss-covered trees, over quaint wooden bridges and past dozens of miniature waterfalls on Balch Creek. As the trail intersects with the famous Wildwood Trail, it even leads past the Stone House (sometimes known as the Witches Castle), a ruined stone building.

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Built atop an old volcanic cinder cone, Mount Tabor is beloved by runners, walkers, cyclists, stroller-pushers, hikers and even soap box racers. Paved roads, staircases and trails form a network of pathways throughout the park, weaving through a forest of tall firs and wide open meadows.

Finding your way to the top is as easy as wandering uphill, but for those who want some guidance there are three official hiking loops: the Red Trail, Green Trail and Blue Trail – all starting and ending at the kiosk by the main parking area in the northwest corner of the park. The Red and Green trails offer shorter, easier walks, but if you’re able to climb hills and stairs, you can’t beat the 3-mile Blue Trail loop, which offers a comprehensive tour of scenic Mount Tabor.

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