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Trail
Northwest Trail Runners
Portland, Oregon
Northwest Trail Runners is a Portland-based trail running group that meets Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM and Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM, primarily in Forest Park, for 5-7 mile trail runs at various paces plus occasional longer adventure runs in the Pacific Northwest. The group emphasizes building community, introducing runners to ultra and adventure running, and caring for wild places and public lands.
About This Club
Northwest Trail Runners is a Portland group built around Forest Park and the wider Pacific Northwest trail network, meeting Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings every week. They run 5 to 7 miles on singletrack, with occasional longer adventure runs out to the gorge, the mountains, and the coast. If you want to get into trail and ultra running and you want people to explore with, this is set up for exactly that.
Highlights
- Trail maintenance volunteer opportunities
- Monthly adventure runs
- Holiday celebration runs
- Post-run social gatherings at local cafes and restaurants
Who It Suits
This suits runners who want trails over roads, are curious about ultras or longer mountain runs, and are okay with hilly, rooty terrain rather than a flat track. Walkers are welcome if you are recovering from injury, but if you are a complete beginner looking for a flat, slow-paced intro to running in general, the terrain and typical distances here will be a stretch.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
Most runs are 5 to 7 miles on hilly forest trail, primarily in Forest Park, though the Saturday trailhead can shift, so check before you go. Pace is not locked in - multiple speeds go out, and the group regroups one or more times along the route so nobody gets left behind on an unfamiliar trail.
Once a month they do a longer adventure run somewhere bigger in the region. They describe themselves as oriented toward ultra and adventure running, so expect a group that is comfortable with effort and elevation without being precious about it.
Distance5-7 miles
PaceMultiple paces accommodated; walkers sometimes participate if recovering from injury; regrouping happens one or more times depending on route
TerrainTrail, Hilly, Forest, Mountain, Coastal
Post-runYes
Your First Run
When you show up, tell the organizer at the start if you are planning to walk or run a slower pace - they specifically ask you to do this so the group can plan the regroups around you, not leave you guessing. The trailhead varies by event, so look up the specific location for that week before you drive out.
Plenty of members showed up alone the first time and found people to run with beyond scheduled runs, so walking in solo is genuinely normal here. Go to a couple of the regular Tuesday or Saturday runs before you try one of the monthly adventure runs - they say as much themselves.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in Portland
15 upcoming races in Portland. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Sat, Aug 1, 2026Rose City Relays Portland, ORFrom $5Details Thu, Aug 6, 2026OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland Fun Run Portland, ORFrom $40Register Thu, Sep 3, 2026This is our Trailhead - Fleet Feet Block Party Portland, ORFreeRegister
See all Portland races
Common Questions About Northwest Trail Runners
Will I get dropped if I'm slower than everyone else?
The group regroups one or more times during the run depending on the route, so slower runners are not just left out on the trail alone. Let the organizer know your pace at the start and they will factor you in.
Do I need to sign up or pay anything before I come?
Nothing in what they share mentions a fee or a registration requirement. Just show up at the trailhead at the right time.
Where exactly do I go? Is it always Forest Park?
Forest Park is the home base, but the specific trailhead shifts by event, and the Saturday location can vary. They post runs about a week in advance, so check their details before you head out - showing up at the wrong trailhead is a real risk if you go off old info.
What happens after the run?
They do post-run social time at local cafes and restaurants. It's a real part of the routine, not an occasional thing.
I want to try longer trail runs eventually. Is this a path to that?
They describe themselves as focused on introducing runners to ultra and adventure running, and they run monthly trips to the gorge, mountains, and coast on top of the weekly Forest Park runs. They do suggest doing a few regular weekly runs first before jumping into the adventure runs.
Where this comes from: Club details come from each club’s own channels (their site, Meetup, Strava and social posts) and are checked by hand. Group runs move, so confirm the meeting spot on the club’s latest post before you head out. Last updated July 2026.