Trying to find a good city for both incredible hiking spots and some elite college football? Then Eugene, Oregon, has to be near the top of your list.
Sure, the Ducks have sputtered a bit this season, but they are still in the thick of a College Football Playoff race, especially if they win out.
They take on the Michigan Wolverines this weekend in Eugene, which means you have an excuse to make your way to one of the most scenic campuses in the country.
The entire Pacific Northwest is breathtaking, and this week, we will identify a handful of the best hikes the Beaver State has to offer.
Perhaps the best all-around spot for a hike in the Eugene area (and that’s saying something), Spencer Butte can offer a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding locale before heading to Autzen Stadium for the game.
The 2,058-foot peak is the highest point in Eugene’s Ridgeline park system and will give hikers a panoramic view of both the Cascade Mountains and Coast Range.
If you’re looking for a challenge, try the West Trail, which offers a more demanding alternative, with scrambling and slippery rocks in wet weather.
Any serious hiker has to put Spencer Butte at the top of their list, and the views alone are worth the trek.
If Spencer Butte is the most iconic summit in Eugene, Mount Pigsah is a close second.
Offering over 30 miles of trails throughout the Howard Buford Recreation Center, Mount Pigsah features a 1,518-foot peak surrounded by more than 2,200 acres of oak savanna, meadows, riverside habitat and wooded slopes.
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Hikers looking for a more strenuous adventure will definitely want to check the summit out, while those looking for a more leisurely stroll should stick to the Arboretum.
That’s the beauty of Mount Pigsah, there’s something here for everyone.
This is one of Western Oregon’s best mountain views and it’s just a few miles from campus.
You couldn’t ask for much more than that.
Our first two entries were a bit on the more rugged and elevated side, but if you’re looking to be one with nature while taking things a bit slower, try Hendricks Park.
Located just minutes from campus, the park allows you to walk among Douglas firs that are over 200 years old.
It’s one of Eugene’s oldest parks, and the whole complex spans over 80 acres of gardens and forest.
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Hendricks Park offers a convenient and relaxing gameday hike that won’t require a day trip, as you get to experience some of the emerald beauty of the Pacific Northwest without having to leave the zip code you’re staying in.
A hidden gem that offers incredible wide open prairie vibes, Wild Iris Ridge Park will have you questioning whether you’re in Oregon or rural England.
The trail offers a departure from some of the dense forests and buttes we’ve discussed so far, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of beauty to be seen.
The park is home to over 250 acres of upland prairie and oak habitats that give way to views of the aforementioned Spencer Butte and the West Eugene Wetlands.
The rolling hills are a sight to behold, especially with fall foliage, and the preserve is particularly interesting for anyone who enjoys birdwatching or native plant habitats.
It’s one of the lesser-known hiking destinations on the list, but the change of scenery and lack of tourists should be something that might pique your interest.
Consider this a bit of a bonus pick, since you’ll need a full day to make it out here (but the trip is worth it).
Roughly an hour and a half from campus sits Salt Creek Falls, which offers spectacular waterfall views poking through dense forests.
At 286 feet, Salt Creek is the second-highest waterfall in Oregon, meaning one of the state’s most breathtaking views is within driving distance for any college football fan staying the weekend in town.
The observation platform is a stone’s throw from the parking lot, and the additional trails offer other vantage points as well as a connection to neighboring Diamond Creek Falls.
It’s a drive, as I’ve noted before, but the facilities close in the winter, so if you have the time this weekend, I highly recommend making a stop out here.
