Editorial Review

It's rare to find a travel guide and a memoir joined neatly together in a single, highly readable 176-page volume. But Chuck Palahniuk (Read more

Reviews (32)

Interesting, offbeat
This collection is an idiosyncratic and appealing mix of off-the-beaten-path sights for the visitor to Portland, personal anecdotes of the author, and brief essays about the history of Portland and its defining vibes. Entertaining and enjoyable.

Doesn't make you want to visit
Palahniuk puts you right into his world of an overgrown small town with its carnival attractions.
a puking bore
As he writes in his epilogue, "This is not Portland, Oregon." Just scads of non-site-specific deegradation written in clipped New Yorker prose. Elliptical descriptions of perversion after perversion, spilling over the pages to become one big bore. And on top of all this, there's no index to the places he touches on, so even if you wanted to go there, you'd be hardput. Self-indulgent yet simultaneously unrevealing, as uninteresting a discovery of spirit of place as one can get. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative lifestyles    2. Curiosities and wonders    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Guidebooks    5. Oregon    6. Portland    7. Portland (Or.)    8. Tours    9. Travel    10. Travel - United States    11. United States - Pacific - Oregon    12. United States - State & Local - General    13. Walking    14. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Reviews (1)

Lose Weight by Walking: Tour Your City on Foot
This book could only be improved by more photos of the georgeous landscaping in and around Portland, Oregon. The cover shows four beautiful photos which the Amazon cover shot misses (you can hardly make them out), which is more than enough to whet the appetite.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Hiking    3. Oregon    4. Portland    5. Portland (Or.)    6. Travel    7. Travel - United States    8. United States - Pacific - Oregon    9. United States - West - Pacific (General)    10. Walking    11. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)   

Reviews (5)

Two Wonderful Weekends in Portland
My parnter and I just spent two wonderful weekends in Portland - all due to this great book.We followed five of the walks in the downtown portland area and got so much out of it (due to the book) that we flew back to Portland three weeks later to visit again and did an additional four walks.This is a great book - I thoroughly recommend it.

Kudos for Portland Walking
I have lived in Portland all my adult life and yet was surprised when I found the description of walking trails that I did not know existed. The descriptions are clear and inviting. The planning of the walks are easy to identify with in terms of distance and time required. I think this is a must-have book for the walkers in the Portland area both for visitors and residents.

This book is a must for Portland visitors.
I really like this book!It's thorough and easy to understand and includes a guide to help with choices about what walk you'd like to take.Thedirections are clear and Ms. Cook has includedinteresting tidbits ofinformation you can follow along the way, as well as maps and photographs.It's not easy for me to get around because of a disability, but I don'tneed to be afraid of setting out with this guide.It lets me know how longthe walk should take and the difficulty of the walk. What an exciting andfresh way to see the city! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Oregon    3. Portland Metropolitan Area    4. Travel    5. Travel - United States    6. United States - Pacific - Oregon    7. United States - West - Pacific (General)    8. Walking    9. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)   

Reviews (2)

What a Great Book!
My husband bought me this book because we're moving to Oregon; I'm thrilled with it, both the book and the move. Mr. Sullivan's writing style is wonderful. It is amazing what this guy knows about every nook and cranny of the state. I am eager to explore the terrain the author describes and look forward to reading his other books on hiking in Oregon. Every travel or hiking book should strive to be as informative and interesting as this one. Alas, its rarely the case. This is a special book.

Wonderful!
After moving to Oregon a few months ago, I discovered this gem of a book.While most hiking books will have plenty of information about where to go and what to see, I've never seen one that's just plain fun to read before. The book is full of interesting and amusing stories that will keep youturning pages late into the night.And, even better, the places that aredescribed--you can hike them!One "hike" described is throughdowntown Portland that describes the flood of 1894 (among other things). Sullivan writes, "Chinese locals staged a gala boat race from the NewMarket Theater up Second Street to Stark and back on First.Winning timefor the eight-block course was five minutes flat, a record that is likelyto stand for some time."Last weekend I did the Tillamook Head hike(#11).If you haven't heard the story behind Tillamook Lighthouse locateda mile offshore, pick up this book and read about it.You won't bedisappointed!It's the best darned hiking book I've ever read in my life! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Hiking    3. Historic sites    4. History / United States / State & Local    5. Oregon    6. Sports & Recreation / Hiking    7. Travel    8. Travel - United States    9. United States - Pacific - Oregon    10. United States - State & Local - General    11. United States - West - Pacific (General)    12. Description and travel    13. History    14. Sports & Recreation    15. Trails    16. United States - State & Local   

Reviews (3)

excellent
Fantastic.I can really believe the author hiked these trails instead of just rehashing other, older guidebook passages.Hope to see more like this!

The best Oregon Hiking Guide
Having read nearly every northwest hiking book in print, I can confidently say, this is the best hiking book available.Many other books have been frustrating with dated and inaccurate information.So far the information has been great, specific, and accurate.I will keep this book in my car, and in my pack!Well written.

This is the best Oregon hiking book available.
Having read nearly every northwest hiking book in print, I can confidently say, this is the best hiking book available.Many other books have been frustrating with dated and inaccurate information.So far the information has been great, specific, and accurate.I will keep this book in my car, and in my pack!Very well written. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Special Interest - Adventure    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. Travel Guides - U.S.    6. United States - Pacific - Oregon    7. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Hiking    3. Mountaineering    4. Oregon    5. Rock climbing    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Travel    8. United States - Pacific - Oregon    9. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Hiking    3. Oregon    4. Pacific Crest Trail    5. Travel    6. Travel - United States    7. United States - Pacific - Oregon    8. United States - Pacific - Washington    9. United States - West - Pacific (General)    10. Washington (State)   

Reviews (2)

The "Bible" of the Washington Cascades
Whether you are a climber, a hiker, a car traveler, or just an armchair explorer, the Beckey guides are the indispensible resources for your mountain experience. The three volumes are filled with information about the natural and human history of the Washington Cascades, as well as complete route and access data for every significant summit. The photos alone are reason enough to own these books. If you are interested in really "knowing" the Washington Cascades, you MUST have them in your library. Highest possible recommendation.

An indispensabe reference book for Northwest Climbers.
I have used this Guidebook so many times in the past 12 years that I've had to purchase it three times. The definitive section on the Picket Range alone is worth the price of the book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cascade Range    2. Guidebooks    3. Hiking    4. Mountaineering    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. United States - Pacific - Oregon    8. Washington (State)    9. Climbing & mountaineering    10. Walking, hiking, trekking   

Reviews (2)

Read any good trails lately?
Two of my favorite activities, reading good books and hiking good trails, merge in this Oregon Coast hiking guide.Bonnie Henderson was raised in Portland, and lives in Eugene now.Not only does she know these trails, but she is also savvy to all the flora and fauna along the way.Her guide is organized by hikes along Oregon's North Coast, North-Central Coast, Central Coast, South-Central Coast, and South Coast, and also includes interesting information about, among other things, puffins (pp. 40-41), skunk cabbage (p. 51), bald eagles (p. 62), estuaries (p. 73) and silverspot butterflies (pp. 76-77). A great real-life hiking guide
Bonnie Henderson's hiking books are consistently good.This one highlights some lesser-known hikes along the Oregon Coast.My parents live on the coast, and many of these hikes were pleasant surprises to them. Difficulty is accurately noted.The author, an Oregon resident, reallyhikes all the trails in her books.This book would be a great gift foranyone living or travelling the Oregon Coast. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Hiking    3. Oregon    4. Oregon Coast Trail    5. Outdoor recreation    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Travel - United States    9. United States - Pacific - Oregon    10. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Reviews (1)

Great guide to the lesser-known trails!
Original Post (2000): This book is great if you're looking for places that are off the beaten path. For example: instead of going to Muir Woods to see redwoods (and hordes of tourists), head off to Heritage Grove in La Honda for a chance to be one-on-one with the mighty trees (and check out the banana slugs as well!). I've only hiked about 4 of the 70+ trails so far, but they have all been worthwhile. Highly recommended!Read more

Subjects:  1. California    2. California, Northern    3. Guidebooks    4. Hiking    5. Pacific Coast    6. Travel    7. Travel - United States    8. United States - Pacific - California    9. United States - West - Pacific (General)    10. Sports & Recreation / General    11. Travel & holiday guides    12. Walking, hiking, trekking   

Reviews (1)

Dog and I like the book
I truely enjoy the book. We have been on roughly five of the hikes recommended in the book. The author states what difficult level each hike is. However, that is for her and her dogs fitness level. I only found one trail impossible to master so far. But that was because of fear of heights. After going on these trails I add my own comments to the book, such as how the trail was, if litterbags were available and if restrooms were on site. I also add a map were available and mark our own hikes. Because of this book we have discovered a few new trails to take. Thank you Ellen Bishop. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dogs - General    2. Guidebooks    3. Hiking    4. Hiking with dogs    5. Oregon    6. Trails    7. Travel    8. Travel - United States    9. United States - Pacific - Oregon    10. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Subjects:  1. Corvallis    2. Guidebooks    3. Hiking    4. Maps    5. Oregon    6. Outdoor recreation    7. Reference - General    8. Travel    9. United States - Pacific - Oregon   

Reviews (6)

The best hiking book I've ever owned...
Over the last several years, I've hiked most of the trails described in "100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon." Sullivan's diving directions, trail descriptions and maps have always been perfect and immensely helpful. If you live in Portland, you should own this book
I bought this book two years ago to add to the many guide books in my library.After two years of hiking many weekends in northwestern OR and southwestern WA, it's become clear that this is the book that get's used the most.Most of the trails are suitable for the whole family. We've hiked into the crater of Mount St. Helens, eaten wild huckle berries in Indian Heaven Wilderness, hiked every slope of Mt. Hood, visited water falls in the Columbia river Gorge that we didn't know existed and more. The Most Accurate Hiking Book Ever
I bought this book prior to a trip to Oregon in hopes of finding somebeautiful hikes.This book was a valuable tool in my search.Every hikewas accurately described from details on finding the trailhead to distancestraveled including the level of difficulty and points of interest along theway. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Sports & Recreation / Hiking    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)    6. United States - General    7. United States - Pacific - Oregon    8. Cascade Range    9. Columbia River Gorge (Or. and    10. Guidebooks    11. Hood, Mount, Region (Or.)    12. Mount Saint Helens National Vo    13. Oregon    14. Portland (Or.)    15. Sports & Recreation    16. United States - Pacific - Washington    17. Washington (State)   

Reviews (2)

Wonderful resource
This is a wonderful book for people who want to get their kids into hiking.Each hike contains a detailed description of the hike as well as information about age appropriateness, access to food and bathrooms, and points that will interest kids. Since a friend loaned us a copy of this book a couple of months ago, we have done 5 of the hikes with our 6-year-old, all with great success.I also loaned it to my sister when she visited Oregon this summer.She did not hike with children, but still found this to be a good resource for locating interesting hikes.Since we have to return our friend's copy, we are now purchasing a copy for ourselves. I highly recommend this book to anyone in Oregon (or who is visiting Oregon) who likes to hike, but especially to those who are trying to get their kids hooked on it.

Could also be called "Best Easy Hikes for Adults!"
I used this book in planning a recent trip to Oregon. Although my wife and I used to be avid hikers, we're not exactly in shape right now, so this book was an excellent guide to pick out a few short hikes in Crater Lake National Park and another near Bend. Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Special Interest - Family    5. United States - Pacific - Oregon    6. Pacific Northwest    7. Hiking    8. Family recreation    9. Oregon    10. Guidebooks   

Reviews (1)

Too much in one volume
William Sullivan is a compendium of knowledge about Oregon.His later books: "100 Hikes in.... (Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon, Northwest Oregon)" contain great information about trails, easy to read maps, in short, they are a must for any serious hiker.I bought "Exploring Oregon's Wild Areas" with the same expectations and was disappointed.I should have read the complete title.This book attempts to give so much information about each area that it, unfortunately, doesn't give enough specifics to completely satisfy any serious member of the target audience.In addition, the maps are nowhere near as easy to read as the maps in the later books.I returned it and bought another of the "100 Hikes in" series. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Hiking    3. Oregon    4. Outdoor recreation    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Travel - United States    8. United States - Pacific - Oregon    9. Wilderness areas   

Subjects:  1. Backpacking    2. Guidebooks    3. Hiking    4. Oregon    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Trails    7. Travel    8. United States - Pacific - Oregon    9. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Reviews (3)

A great book to make the most of limited time
I have the first edition of this book and it has been an invaluable guide to the incredible hiking in the Northwest.Living in the east and only getting to the west when business or a vacation take me there (for relatively short periods of time) I've always tried to make the most of the time I did have to hike.I have done about 1/3 of the hikes in the book and have yet to be disappointed.I have other, more detailed, hiking books for these areas but I rely on this one for selecting my hikes.I just wish this type of book were available for other areas of the country.

Hiking The Great Northwest
The hikes cover some of the best hiking over a large area.

reading about these hikes will give one arousal
it encompasses the hikes that every avid hiker must do before or during death. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Columbia    2. Canadian Rockies (B.C. and Alt    3. Canadian Rockies (B.C. and Alta.)    4. Guidebooks    5. Hiking    6. Northwest, Pacific    7. Reference - General    8. Travel    9. Travel - United States    10. Travel Guides    11. United States - West - Pacific (General)    12. Travel & holiday guides    13. Walking, hiking, trekking   

Subjects:  1. Alpine scrambling    2. Guidebooks    3. Hiking    4. Mountaineering    5. Oregon    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Travel - United States    9. United States - Pacific - Oregon    10. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Subjects:  1. Columbia River Gorge (Or. and Wash.)    2. General    3. Guidebooks    4. Hiking    5. Nature / Field Guide Books    6. Special Interest - Ecotourism    7. Travel    8. Travel - United States    9. United States - Pacific - Oregon    10. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Geology    2. Geology    3. Guidebooks    4. Hiking    5. Oregon    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Travel    8. United States - Pacific - Oregon    9. United States - West - Pacific (General)