Take on the region’s best routes for every runner
(Photo: Brooks)
Published August 11, 2026 02:13PM
One more reason to love trail running? It’s the best way to see lots of epic scenery. With nothing more than a light vest to carry a few essentials, you can cruise for miles through the country’s most awe-inspiring terrain. And that terrain doesn’t get any better than the mountains, valleys, and rain-lush forests of the Pacific Northwest. Get started on these six breathtaking trails, and explore even more of the country’s top running routes—on every type of terrain—with this comprehensive guide. And wherever you run and whatever conditions you encounter, take on any trail with the Brooks Cascadia Collection—and experience the force of nature.
The Enchantments Thru-Run, Leavenworth, Washington
18.6 miles
When they say the rewards are equal to the effort, they must have had this route in mind. This point-to-point epic serves up granite slabs, alpine lakes, rocky spires, creek crossings, and (often) mountain goats in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The run can be tackled in either direction, but the most popular—west to east—delivers a whopping 2,200 feet of climbing in a single mile up Aasgard Pass. Local shuttle services are available.
Tiger Mountain, Issaquah, Washington
4.5 miles
Issaquah is nicknamed “Trailhead City” for a reason. More than 60 trailheads offer a huge variety of routes, and all of them are gorgeous. Tackle Tiger Mountain for one of the best: a steep, technical run that zigs and zags through old-growth forest, moss-covered trees, and giant ferns, with roughly 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Start with the West Tiger 3 loop and if you like that, there’s also a longer loop (8+ miles) that adds the summits of West Tiger 1 and 2.
Silver Falls State Park, Sublimity, Oregon
7.3 miles
If you live in Portland, you will log plenty of miles in Forest Park, where a network of trails sits in the heart of the city. But venture just a short distance out of town, and you can experience one of the country’s best runs when it comes to mile-for-mile beauty. The Trail of Ten Falls winds through a stunning old-growth forest and passes 10 waterfalls, one 177-feet high, and four that you can view from behind their cascades.
Timberline Trail, Mount Hood, Oregon
39.5 miles
Every ambitious trail runner should target this iconic route. Circumnavigating 11,249-foot Mount Hood, the highest point in Oregon, the Timberline Trail cruises through wildflower-rich meadows, high-alpine terrain, river crossings, and shady forests. And, of course, it offers countless views of Mount Hood. Most runners start and end at the historic Timberline Lodge.
Tumalo Falls Loop, Bend, Oregon
7.2 miles
Oregon is deservedly famous for its waterfalls, and this one belongs on every Bend must-run itinerary. The route features multiple cascades, including 97-foot Tumalo Falls near the trailhead. The rest of the loop—along Tumalo Creek and the North Fork Trail—is equally scenic, and the mellow grade encourages speed as it meanders through a forest of pine, spruce, and hemlock.
South Sister, Bend, Oregon
11.4 miles
The trio of volcanic summits called the Three Sisters offers a perfect test piece: steep climbing and views equal to the effort. The classic route, a hair over 11 miles (depending on where you start), tags the top of 10,358-foot South Sister. The final mile of the 5,036-foot ascent, made extra challenging by loose footing, has been dubbed “The Red Mile” by local runners.
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