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Print Friendly MapThe Trolley Trail is a nearly 7-mile multi-use path connecting Milwaukie and Gladstone in Clackamas County. It occupies the former corridor of the Portland Traction Company’s Oregon City Line streetcar, which served the Portland suburbs of Milwaukie and Gladstone between 1893 and 1968. The rail trail got underway in 2001 when Metro (a regional government agency serving portions of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties) and the North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District acquired the right-of-way. The trail opened in 2012.
The Trolley Trail is part of a planned 20-mile loop connecting the Springwater Corridor (see page 97) and the I-205 Multi-Use Path (see page 81). At both ends of this trail, you’ll be rewarded with scenic river views: the Willamette River at the north end and the Clackamas River at the south end.
The best place to begin your journey is Milwaukie Bay Park on the trail’s north end. The 8.5-acre waterfront park provides parking, restrooms, and scenic river views, whetting your appetite for the rest of the journey. (The trail technically begins 1.3 miles farther north at Southeast 17th Avenue and Southeast Ochoco Street, but there are no amenities there, so it’s best to begin at the park. If you bike to the northernmost endpoint, you’ll be able to connect to the Springwater Corridor at Southeast Ochoco Street.) There are other paths within the park, but the Trolley Trail is the one that runs adjacent to McLoughlin Boulevard, first as wide concrete pavement, then quickly transitioning to asphalt.
Not far from the park, the trail ducks under a railroad-turned-pedestrian bridge that connects McLoughlin Boulevard to Kellogg Creek Park and the Kronberg Park Multiuse Trail. You’ll soon encounter the first of many road crossings along this path. On busier streets, the crossings are signalized, whereas on quieter streets, stop signs and crosswalks suffice. The trail then parallels the MAX light rail line for about half a mile, providing bike and pedestrian access to the MAX station along Park Avenue. Ample signage provides wayfinding directions and keeps you abreast of your progress.
The trail continues within a vibrant green corridor, passing through residential neighborhoods boasting historic homes across various eras and trends. It is a treasured community amenity; you will observe neighbors pouring onto the trail on their daily jogs, pushing strollers, or walking their dogs.
A 0.7-mile section of the route through downtown Oak Grove runs on-road along Southeast Arista Avenue, from Southeast Courtney Avenue almost to Southeast Creighton Avenue, but it is a low-speed street. In Oak Grove’s commercial district, eateries tempt you off the trail. These establishments feature names that reflect both the area’s railroad history and its present-day trail culture.
With 2.5 miles remaining, you will rejoin the off-street portion of the trail, which passes through residential areas, and Stringfield Family Park, which offers a playground and restrooms. In another 0.7 miles, the trail reaches Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard, where signage guides you safely across the major artery to continue on the route.
The trail portion ends adjacent to Gladstone Community Center, but you can continue the Trolley Trail route on-road by traveling southeast on Portland Avenue another 0.3 mile through downtown Gladstone, where you’ll be able to reach eateries, shops, and ultimately the Charles Ames Memorial Park on the Clackamas River.
The Trolley Trail runs between SE 17th Ave. (Milwaukie) and Charles Ames Memorial Park (Gladstone).
Parking is also available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Enjoyed going down this path on a sunny afternoon. A good mix of slight down & uphill so it never feels like too much work to just keep going. When the path crosses the main streets sometimes it can be difficult to spot where it continues vs where there’s just a large (rocky & car filled) bike lane. Once you’re back on trolley trail though it’s super easy and pleasant. Lots of folks with their dogs out when I went on a Friday afternoon.
My husband and I just discovered this trail today. What a gem! Love the random artwork and the peaceful trail!
The description of this beautiful trail needs to be updated. You can now ride from Oregon City or Gladstone all the way to downtown Portland and out to Boring. ALL ON TRAIL! (There are just a few short rides on quiet neighborhood streets to connect the segments.) The Trolley Trail has been extended to connect with the Springwater Trail (which connects to the Eastbank Esplanade and I-205 trail) so the trail network stretches from Gladstone to downtown to Gresham/Boring to Marine Drive.
Trail access:
Gladstone - Stringfield Family Park on Naef Rd. is a great starting point, especially for families. This avoids having to cross McLoughlin Blvd.
Oregon City - Starting at Funkity Park at the end of Hwy. 213 takes you across the Clackamas River, through a bit of Gladstone and to the Trolley Trail start. Crossing McLoughlin is necessary but no big deal.
Milwaukie Riverfront Park is also a good access point - go south to Gladstone or north to connect to the Springwater.
I would really love for reviewers who have posted the photos of the lovely, shaded, and tree lined lanes to add a location to the photos. We went to the trailhead supposedly at the Milwaukie River Front Park. We didn't understand where the trail was. There was a bike path that started from the very small portion of the lot that allowed car parking. It was titled Kellogg trail and only went for a little bit along the river before heading into the neighborhood.
We headed back to the parking lot where we ran into another family also confused as to where the trail was. It wasn't until we had loaded up the bikes in frustration and were driving out of the parking lot that we saw a very small post and sign on what, for all intents and purposes, looked like the sidewalk when you were standing in the parking lot. It was actually the trail and went right alongside McGloughlin Blvd, just like a sidewalk, not a nicely shaded bike bath that is shown in the photos. We followed it in out car for a bit before turning around.
If you have posted one of these lovely photos or are familiar with this trail, please, where is the nice trial from the photographs? Riding alongside McGloughlin Blvd on a sidewalk was not the nice bike outing we had been looking for, but even then, we didn't even find it until we were frustrated and leaving. Signs would be nice.
I walk with my best friend on this path. Great outdoor fun. Beautiful. Safe. Clean.
Oak Grove Milwaukie Gladstone are gorgous!
Rock on Oregon!
I have taken many friends and guests on the Trolley Trail to Oregon City. The local government (Metro) has recently published a map that takes the best route all the way to Oregon City. The route officially begins in downtown Milwaukie at the beautifully remodeled riverfront park (which now includes a beach where people can swim in the summer). The route then goes South following the new Orange Light rail line to Park Ave. where the trail proceeds through a quiet, historic residential neighborhood. The path passes the Stringfield family Park with functioning public restrooms and drinking fountains . The grade is mellow, with gentle uphill's followed by pleasant downhill's where one can coast. The path ends officially at McLoughlin Blvd. right at Gladstone. Crossing the highway and following the route of the trolley down Abernethy Lane then right onto Portland Avenue in Gladstone to the glorious Clackamas river. Follow the riverside parks upstream to the pedestrian bridge, over the famous "high rocks swimming hole" back down the pedestrian bike path along the Clackamas to the Willamette, then through Clackamette Park on the bike path to Oregon City and the stunning Willamette Falls. The whole route is enjoyable. Oregon City is an excellent destination featuring the Willamette Falls and the unusual staffed elevator that goes to the ledge above (bikes allowed). I recommend the outdoor seating right above the Falls at the Highland Stillhouse Pub. The ride from Sellwood (neighborhood in Portland in far South quadrant of city) to Oregon City is about 10 miles a perfect day ride. This ride is 85% on dedicated bike/pedestrian paths and is one of my favorites.
We started at SE Jefferson today with our two boys (3yrs and 6 yrs). There's a fair amount of traffic and construction along the south portion of the path. It's confusing where to head on the path and not ideal for younger children.
However, just past Washington St. there's a paved trail behind the Kellogg Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Head down on SE 19th Ave to end of the street and there's a small park for children to play. Follow the dirt path off to the right down to Elk Rock Island Park, which is amazing and serene. There's plenty of good light hiking and a view of the Willamette in this area.
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