Portland Trail

Distance: 3.5 - 4.2 miles (loop)

Uncompahgre National Forest, near Ouray in Southwest Colorado

View of the Amphitheater

View of the Amphitheater

 

This short, easy loop hike explores the basin below a huge amphitheatre of eroded cliffs rising above the eastern side of Ouray and features scenic viewpoints to appreciate the formation along with the peaks rising to the south and west of town
See Trail Detail/Full Description

  • Distance: 3.5 miles (loop) to Portland Trail
  • Elevation: 8,500-ft. at Trailhead
    9,250-ft. at Portland Trail
  • Elevation Gain: 750-ft. to Portland Trail
  • Difficulty: easy
  • More Hikes in:
    Ouray / Southwest Colorado

Why Hike Portland Trail

The Amphitheatre, a huge sculpted gray cliff face formed from highly eroded volcanic rock, rises above a large bowl-shaped valley on the eastern side of Ouray. A short, easy loop hike, combining the Portland Trail with a portion of the Upper Cascade Falls trail, explores the basin below the amphitheatre and features scenic viewpoints to appreciate the formation along with the peaks rising to the south and west of Ouray. The walk is a good option for those with limited time or on a day when the weather precludes hiking at higher elevations.

The Portland Trail can be extended into a longer hike when combined with the Upper Cascade Falls trail. See the description of the Upper Cascade Falls trail for more information.

Elevation Profile

Elevation Profile for the Portland Trail

Best Hiking in Southwest Colorado around Ouray, Telluride and Silverton

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Trail Resources

Trail Detail/Full Description / Trail Photo Gallery / Trail Map

Basecamp(s) Information:
Ouray

Region Information:
Southwest Colorado

Other Hiking Regions in:
Colorado