filed under: travel and tourism
From Mount Hood to the Pacific Coast: A Signature Trail Experience
Connecting many of northwest Oregon’s iconic attractions and creating a potentially international tourist magnet.
Presenters: Mark Davison, Design Manager, Oregon State Parks; Kristin Dahl, Director – Destination Development, Travel Oregon; Ken Pirie, Senior Associate, Walker Macy
Imagine heading west from Portland, by foot or bike along the Columbia River, all the way to the Oregon Coast. Then, from Tillamook, return to town along the wild Salmonberry River. Now, head east through the Columbia Gorge, to Hood River, up to Mount Hood and back through Estacada– still by trail– all the way to Portland. This ambitious vision of 300 miles of big loop trails, heading out from the metro region in a figure eight, is being called the Infinity Loop. What is new about this vision, however, is the idea of connecting many of northwest Oregon’s iconic attractions and creating a potentially international tourist magnet.
Seven Mile Loop Trail, Florida
This 7.25-mile-long trail offers hikers and cyclists access to some of Florida’s unique habitats – salt marsh, tidal creeks, coastal estuary, oak hammock, and pine flatwoods – as they follow two-track limestone paths left from historic uses of this land.
The Little Miami State Park is a 50-mile rail-trail paralleling the Little Miami River in southwestern Ohio.
Window Cliffs Trail, Tennessee
The Window Cliffs Trail traverses through the Cane Creek Gorge to reach some of the most unique rock formations in Tennessee.
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Highlight: Chautauqua Bottoms in Jackson, Illinois
Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve created accessibility upgrades with RTP funds.
