Forest Discovery Trail
Easy · FernMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
No photos yet
Add the first1.8 km1.1 mi
Distance
54 m177 ft
Elevation gain
30m
Est. time
Loop
Route type
- Dogs allowed
- No bicycles
What to expect on this trail
- Natural surface
- Moderate climbs
- Rolling
- Hiking
- Running
How these were worked out
- Natural surfacerecorded
- OpenStreetMap records the surface of this trail as "dirt". Source: OpenStreetMap, high confidence.
- Moderate climbsestimated
- Nine tenths of this trail is at or below a 12.9% grade, which is steady work rather than scrambling. Source: DEM terrain profile, low confidence.
- Rollingestimated
- The grade varies by 8.3 percentage points along the route rather than climbing steadily. Source: DEM terrain profile, low confidence.
Biking is not listed. That means no explicit permission is recorded, which is not the same as a prohibition — see the bike section below.
Fern's Friendly Walk A gentle wander — great for kids, dogs, and wildflower stops.
About this trail
Forest Discovery Trail is a 1.8 km trail in Oregon. Route imported from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); community descriptions, photos, and condition reports welcome.
Play the route
Fly the trail end to end, with the climb as it comes.
Conditions
Loading forecast…
Elevation profile
Terrain sampled every 35 m from public elevation data.
- Descent
- 54 m
- High point
- 182 m
- 90th percentile grade
- 12.9%
Bike access & suitability
Legal permission and physical difficulty are evaluated separately.
Legal access
prohibited
OSU College of Forestry classes this as a hiking trail: no bicycles and no horses.
Estimated MTB suitability
Moderate
53% confidence - score 50/100
- - Terrain: 12.9% 90th-percentile grade and 30 m climbing per km.
- - Surface: dirt.
Source: Land-manager evidence - OSU College of Forestry — Oregon State University Research Forests - checked Sep 6, 2026 - rules v2
View access evidencePosted signs and current land-manager closures always override OpenTrail.
Report incorrect bike access
Connecting trails
Trails whose path meets this one — plan a longer route or a loop.
Trails nearby
Other routes within about 15 km.
- less than 100 m away
Pond Trail
Easy · FernOregon
1.10 km · 15m · ↑ 6 m
- 200 m away
Intensive Management Trail
Easy · FernMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
1.71 km · 25m · ↑ 30 m
- 550 m away
Section 36 Loop Trail
Moderate · AceMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
5.42 km · 1h 35m · ↑ 237 m
- 750 m away
Calloway Creek Trail
Moderate · AceMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
3.42 km · 50m · ↑ 43 m
- 800 m away
Dear Liza
Easy · FernMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
722 m · 10m · ↑ 7 m
- 1.4 km away
Bonzai Trail
Moderate · AceMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
4.82 km · 1h 25m · ↑ 202 m
- 1.4 km away
Hole in the Bucket
Easy · FernMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
2.40 km · 30m · ↑ 0 m
- 1.6 km away
Bonzai
Moderate · AceMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
3.89 km · 55m · ↑ 44 m
- 1.6 km away
Calloway Creek Community Trail
Easy · FernOregon
547 m · 5m · ↑ 0 m
- 1.6 km away
Powderhouse Trail
Easy · FernMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
1.40 km · 30m · ↑ 128 m
- 1.6 km away
Powderhouse
Easy · FernMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
1.40 km · 30m · ↑ 128 m
- 1.9 km away
Santiam Christian Recreation Trail
Easy · FernOregon
1.61 km · 25m · ↑ 17 m
Photos
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Frequently asked
How long is Forest Discovery Trail?
Forest Discovery Trail is 1.8 km (1.1 miles) as a loop. Allow roughly 30m at a steady walking pace, not counting stops.
How hard is Forest Discovery Trail?
OpenTrail rates it easy. It climbs about 54 m overall, and its steepest sustained stretches run around 13%.
Where is Forest Discovery Trail?
Forest Discovery Trail is in McDonald Research Forest, Oregon. The map on this page shows the full route, where it starts, and any mapped parking nearby.
Is there parking at Forest Discovery Trail?
No parking area is mapped within 1.5 km of this route in OpenStreetMap. That is not the same as there being none — check local access rules before you go.
Are dogs allowed on Forest Discovery Trail?
Yes — Forest Discovery Trail is mapped as dog friendly. Posted signs and seasonal restrictions always take precedence.
Can you bike Forest Discovery Trail?
Bicycles are not permitted, according to OSU College of Forestry — Oregon State University Research Forests. Legal access and how rideable the surface actually is are tracked separately on this page.