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Timberline Trail north side

Treks / USA (Oregon)

Timberline Trail

USA (Oregon) · Nearest city: Portland

TypeMulti-day trek
Days3–4
Distance≈ 66 km
Climbing≈ 2,700 m
Highest point2,300 m

A loop around Mount Hood through alpine meadows and across glacial rivers.

Fitness Hard
Best seasonAugust to September

Watch out: Glacial river crossings are highest in the afternoon. Cross early in the day.

Why people choose it

It circles Oregon's highest peak through wildflower meadows and glacier-fed streams.

What makes it different

  • Loop around Mount Hood
  • Historic Timberline Lodge at the start
  • Glacial river crossings

Route options

There is rarely just one way to walk Timberline Trail. These are the main choices people make.

  • Length: most people take 3–4 days, 4 is typical. You can shorten it by skipping a stage with a bus or lift, or lengthen it with rest days.

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Before you go

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.

Phone and data

Roaming in USA is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.

USA eSIM on Airalo

Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.

Insurance that covers this trek

This trek reaches 2,300 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.

Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.

World NomadsSafetyWingHeymondoTrue Traveller

True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.

Camping and where to sleep

In national parks, overnight stays need a wilderness permit and camping is often limited to designated sites. On most national forest and BLM land, dispersed camping is allowed.

Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.

Route map

Download GPX

Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.

Trail from OpenStreetMap (64.5 km) Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city

Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.

Stops: Timberline Lodge → Mount Hood

Simple overview map
Timberline LodgeMount Hood20 kmN

Step by step

  1. Months before

    Plan and book

    • Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
    • Best time to go: August to September.
  2. 6–12 weeks before

    Train and test your gear

    • Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
    • Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
    • Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.

    Readiness quiz · Packing list

  3. Getting there

    Travel to the start

    • Most people start from Portland.
  4. On the trail

    Walk it

    • Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
  5. The finish

    Get home

    • It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.

How the season changes things

Best time: August to September

July

Early season

Lingering snow at higher elevations and high, cold rivers. Wildflowers start in the meadows.

Bring

  • Microspikes for snow
  • Waterproof boots
  • Mosquito repellent

August

Peak season

The most reliable weather and peak wildflowers, but wildfire smoke can affect air quality.

Bring

  • Sun protection
  • Check fire and smoke reports
  • Rain jacket

September to early October

Late season

Golden larches, fewer bugs and crisp days, but early storms and colder nights.

Bring

  • Warm layers
  • Headlamp
  • Full waterproofs

Be ready for

River crossings

You'll ford rivers without bridges. Cross early in the day when levels are lower, unclip your hip belt, and use poles. Bring sandals or light shoes for crossing.

Trekking poles →

Snow patches

Early in the season, snow can cover the path on high ground. Microspikes or crampons and some experience make these sections safer.

Hiking boots →

What you'll see

7 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.

Timberline Trail north side
Oregon Mount Hood from Trillium Lake
Timlodge
Near Mount HoodMount Hood, United States
Near Mount Hood
Near Timberline LodgeTimberline sunset, Oregon - Flickr - Bonnie Moreland free images
Near Timberline LodgeTimberline Lodge to Palmer ski tour May

Gear for the Timberline Trail

Hiking boots Top pick: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Backpacks Top pick: Osprey Exos 58 Rain jackets Top pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Photo credits: Timberline Trail north side by Lipstick Kleenex, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Oregon Mount Hood from Trillium Lake by Kevin Crosby, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Timlodge by Kelvin Kay, Kkmd at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Mount Hood, United States by Andrew Coelho andrewcoelho, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; View near Mount Hood by Oregon Department of Transportation, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Timberline sunset, Oregon - Flickr - Bonnie Moreland free images by Bonnie Moreland from Oregon, United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Timberline Lodge to Palmer ski tour May by Buidhe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.