Portland Trail 
Distance: 3.5 - 4.2 miles (loop)
Uncompahgre National Forest, near Ouray in Southwest Colorado
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
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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