Portland is home to the nation's largest wooded urban park—Forest Park. A short hike in, and you'll find it hard to believe that civilization is just steps away. With 70 miles of trails winding through the forest and offering views of the Willamette River, you'll often have nature all to yourself. However, you're also likely to run into locals jogging or walking their dogs—expect to be greeted with a friendly "hello." If you have the time, hike up to Pittock Mansion, a stunning French Renaissance-style château that once belonged to Henry Pittock, a prominent publisher and businessman. Today, the mansion serves as a historic house museum open to visitors, offering panoramic views of the city. Another popular destination within Forest Park is the so-called "Witch's Castle"—the moss-covered ruins of an abandoned stone house. Despite its eerie name, there’s no record of witchcraft here. However, legend has it that its original inhabitant was the first person in Oregon to be sentenced to execution for murder in 1859.

All the cultural relics excavated from the Three Gorges area and other historical collections of the original city museum are housed here. With high-tech facilities, the museum vividly displays the geologic features, species, changes in local culture and customs, as well as models of the massive Three Gorges Dam Project.

Get some fresh air and enjoy the Basque landscape. The Takamaka team at Sports Nature equips you with everything you need for an exciting day out: bikes, surfboards, or kayaks can be borrowed, and you can even book a canyoning or sky-diving trip! The experienced team helps you with hiking maps and advice for day routes.