Milwaukie Trolley Trail

The Milwaukie Trolley Trail is the right-of-way passing through neighborhoods from Milwaukie to Gladstone. It actually starts at the intersection of River Road and McLaughlin Blvd. This is a dirt trail paralleling McLaughlin as you go up the hill, but the “hidden” trail starts at Park and gives one an opportunity to imagine what it must have been like riding the real trolley many years ago.

There is a section between Courtney and just past Oak Grove Blvd. where the trail is lost – that is, it is paved over and part of the street. But south of Oak Grove Blvd. it picks up again on the left. It’s easy to miss, so watch the telephone wires overhead and follow them when they cross Arista at an angle – that is where the trail picks up again and continues for about three miles down to Borchard. Here it turns back into a street again (Arista) and dumps you back out onto McLaughlin at Jennings. Following the wires overhead, you will cross McLaughlin and continue on.

Eventually, it reaches Portland Ave. in Gladstone, where you turn right and head down Portland to the Clackamas River. The old trolley bridge is still there, but is closed. Turning left, you go up to a pedestrian bridge that takes you across the river and into the back bay area. This trail leads you into Oregon City, where you can come back up McLaughlin for about a half mile and turn left at the beginning of River Road.

Although not for the first mile, River Road is a shady, relatively quiet street with a bike lane that is often 4-5 feet wide. It will take you back to your starting point in Milwaukie. Supposedly, in 2010 the trail will be ugraded and paved, making it very family-friendly. For now it is in a more natural state, although some times of the year it can be quite muddy, but enjoyable nonetheless!

There are also two parks along the trail: Risley Park, just west of the trail by 1/2 block between Swain and Risley, and a new park, right along the trail about one mile south from Risley Park.

Trailhead: About 300 feet west of McLaughlin Blvd and Park, on Park, headed south. Look up and follow the telephone lines overhead; the path is directly beneath them.

Seasons: All