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Portland Hill Walks: Twenty Explorations In Parks And Neighborhoods
Portland Hill Walks is no ordinary guidebook. No restaurant ratings, no rehashed explanations of how the city got its name. Instead, in twenty meandering, view-studded strolls from forested canyons to cityscape peaks, this lively travelogue answers questions you may never have thought to ask, such as: What street used to be a row of floating homes? What eastside peak, with its "healthful air," was home to tuberculosis sanatoriums? What happened to the lake in Guilds Lake? What Portlander modeled swimwear in the U.S. Senate? Explore the city's streets, stairs, trails, and hidden passageways to discover the stories and spirit of a town rated among the country's most livable places.
280 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 20, 2012
A few entries ago, I mentioned that I was working through the book Portland Hill Walks. I finished the book as the winter set in, taking the last few walks in unpredictable weather. Even now, as I flip through its pages to try to choose an exemplary walk to talk about, I get lost in the pleasantness of many of them, unable to select one single experience.
Due to the different focal points of the two Foster books I've gone through so far, this one is farther ranging than the other, frequently taking me along the outer rim of the city, through the ring of hills that define it. Another Foster book which I haven't yet gotten to is The Portland Stairs Book, more recent than Hill Walks, but Foster's interest shows in the older writing. By the third or fourth walk, I was convinced that Foster never met a staircase she didn't like. There were the steep stairs used for training by the Portland Fire Department in King's Heights, the surprising and damp stairs downhill and to the west of Council Crest, the well used steps of Mt. Tabor, the narrow, truant-sheltering stairs leading up and down the Alameda Ridge. And it's not just hidden staircases: a one point, when doing a walk in Portland Heights, I saw a small planked bridge over a ravine and found myself surprised the route didn't cross it, as it seemed just the sort of thing which would catch Foster's attention. But I needn't have worried: she included it at the end of the walk. I just needed a little more patience.
On that same walk (or perhaps it was the other one in Portland Heights) I stopped with my daughter and dog for gelato at the locally loved Lamb's/Strohecker's. As we sat outside, we were charmed by the employee who came bearing doggie treats. On another walk, a woman stopped me on Cumberland to ask if I was using the Foster book and to talk about a walk she'd taken guided by Foster (nothing but kind things to say!), and later, another woman approached me as she saw me looking at the Simeon Winch house on Cornell. She told me of growing up in the neighborhood, and of the descendants of the Winch family (I believe) whom she remembered living there. She then spoke of the new owners and the work they've done on the house, taking me up the sidewalk to a spot where I could best appreciate how they'd been faithful to the historical period of the kitchen design. She was very happy to report that these new owners hadn't bowed to the current marble counter craze.
On the Linnton walk, I wound up interweaving my stroll along Leif Erikson with the path of a family, and we walked down the fire trail across Germantown Road together. Later, I was sized up by some salty locals as I had lunch in a neighborhood pub. I have a wonderful story with photographic illustrations of a baby squirrel running up my jeans on the Eastmoreland walk, much to its mother's outrage. I encountered, chatted with, and gave directions to an itinerant new to the streets of Portland in old Albina, and I'm fairly certain he'd just gotten off a hopped train.
In other words, this Foster book too is a gem. I can't get enough. I wish there were a Foster walk in store for me five days a week. I don't think I would ever get bored, and that's saying something. Once again, I am very grateful to have found these books, and to Ms. Foster for the new appreciation she has given me of my adopted home.
Due to the different focal points of the two Foster books I've gone through so far, this one is farther ranging than the other, frequently taking me along the outer rim of the city, through the ring of hills that define it. Another Foster book which I haven't yet gotten to is The Portland Stairs Book, more recent than Hill Walks, but Foster's interest shows in the older writing. By the third or fourth walk, I was convinced that Foster never met a staircase she didn't like. There were the steep stairs used for training by the Portland Fire Department in King's Heights, the surprising and damp stairs downhill and to the west of Council Crest, the well used steps of Mt. Tabor, the narrow, truant-sheltering stairs leading up and down the Alameda Ridge. And it's not just hidden staircases: a one point, when doing a walk in Portland Heights, I saw a small planked bridge over a ravine and found myself surprised the route didn't cross it, as it seemed just the sort of thing which would catch Foster's attention. But I needn't have worried: she included it at the end of the walk. I just needed a little more patience.
On that same walk (or perhaps it was the other one in Portland Heights) I stopped with my daughter and dog for gelato at the locally loved Lamb's/Strohecker's. As we sat outside, we were charmed by the employee who came bearing doggie treats. On another walk, a woman stopped me on Cumberland to ask if I was using the Foster book and to talk about a walk she'd taken guided by Foster (nothing but kind things to say!), and later, another woman approached me as she saw me looking at the Simeon Winch house on Cornell. She told me of growing up in the neighborhood, and of the descendants of the Winch family (I believe) whom she remembered living there. She then spoke of the new owners and the work they've done on the house, taking me up the sidewalk to a spot where I could best appreciate how they'd been faithful to the historical period of the kitchen design. She was very happy to report that these new owners hadn't bowed to the current marble counter craze.
On the Linnton walk, I wound up interweaving my stroll along Leif Erikson with the path of a family, and we walked down the fire trail across Germantown Road together. Later, I was sized up by some salty locals as I had lunch in a neighborhood pub. I have a wonderful story with photographic illustrations of a baby squirrel running up my jeans on the Eastmoreland walk, much to its mother's outrage. I encountered, chatted with, and gave directions to an itinerant new to the streets of Portland in old Albina, and I'm fairly certain he'd just gotten off a hopped train.
In other words, this Foster book too is a gem. I can't get enough. I wish there were a Foster walk in store for me five days a week. I don't think I would ever get bored, and that's saying something. Once again, I am very grateful to have found these books, and to Ms. Foster for the new appreciation she has given me of my adopted home.
June 6, 2019
This book has become dated as the time has passed. Some of these walks are no longer available and/or need detours. Some are not safe. The history is intriguing and the idea of this book is fantastic. Hope she will update.
November 18, 2021
Simply one of THE best books I've read this year (43 so far). Well organized, well written, informative, something to learn about my home town (since 1984) at almost every turn of a page. I LOVED it, and recommend it to anyone who calls Portland, OR (or its metro area) home. Even if your NOT a walker, read it. And it is not very outdated, given it was published in 2005. My only regret is my mother gave it to me as a birthday gift back in 2006... I was too busy with work to read it before I retired, and, alas, my mother is gone and I cannot share with her my joy in reading this book.
August 12, 2013
I liked this guidebook enough to make a note to come back to it, but not enough to carry it around on an actual walk. It's really HEAVY, printed on high-quality, glossy paper. I like Foster's writing style a lot, but the book I'm actually going to buy and carry around with me is her The Portland Stairs Book, a much lighter, smaller book with similar walks in it.
October 15, 2012
This book is invaluable to me and my family. You learn historical facts while going on beautiful walks... It's almost like a guided scavenger hunt with views and secret stairways the prize. Get it!
May 3, 2020
I bought this book when I moved to Portland and it was the best investment ever! Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed going out on these walks with my little dog and discovering hidden stairs, pathways, and vistas. Every time I try to establish a favorite walk from this book, I can't do it. (Although, there were a few I liked a little less). I really appreciate the history that Foster includes as it makes the experience that much richer. This book also contains information about where to stop for food and water on each walk. Portland Hill Walks is the perfect companion for exploring Portland and learning it's history. I just think it's the bee's knees!
January 7, 2022
Fun facts at every turn.
October 23, 2016
I loved the walks and the snippets of history that accompany them. What a great way to get outside. I really wanted to give this 5 stars, but could not with a clear conscious as the book is not up to date. Some of the walks can't be completed due to things such as road closures,missing staircases etc. In fact,2 of my first 3 walks had to be amended on the fly. Also, one walk is through a toxic cleanup site and no longer recommended, something I was quite alarmed to discover.
A map is included so you can usually find another route but to be safe bring a more detailed Portland map and/or a Trimet app to help navigate back to somewhere familiar. Hopefully the author will provide a web update in the future but as of today this is not available.
A map is included so you can usually find another route but to be safe bring a more detailed Portland map and/or a Trimet app to help navigate back to somewhere familiar. Hopefully the author will provide a web update in the future but as of today this is not available.
January 24, 2008
When I first moved to Portland I picked this book up at Powell's. I learned a lot about Portland history and it gave me some ideas of some cool places to visit around Portland.
April 16, 2008
Great fun and wonderful historic information from the obscure to the well-known. I'm calling up friends and making dates to do one walk at a time -- makes for a great activity!
July 2, 2008
Ok, a lot of hikes in residential areas and not enough in deep into forest park.
May 24, 2009
Obviously more of a walking book than a reading book, but I completed all twenty Portland Hill Walks and learned quite a bit of Portland history,too. Enjoyable.
July 10, 2011
this book is one of the best ways to discover portland!
April 5, 2013
Not having been to Portland before, this book gave us great direction. We walked from downtown up through Washington Park. Very enjoyable!
October 25, 2013
Good Book.
However lots of North and Northeast Walks not described.
However lots of North and Northeast Walks not described.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews