Lower Horse Trail
Easy · FernMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
No photos yet
Add the first1.4 km0.9 mi
Distance
122 m400 ft
Elevation gain
30m
Est. time
Route
Route type
- Dogs allowed
- Bikes allowed
What to expect on this trail
- Gravel
- Steep
- Sustained climb
- Hiking
How these were worked out
- Gravelrecorded
- OpenStreetMap records the surface of this trail as "gravel". Source: OpenStreetMap, high confidence.
- Steepestimated
- Nine tenths of this trail is at or below a 17.7% grade, and its steepest climb reaches 21.9%. Source: DEM terrain profile, low confidence.
- Sustained climbestimated
- This trail gains 88 m of elevation per kilometre. 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
Lower Horse Trail is a 1.4 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
- 5 m
- High point
- 266 m
- 90th percentile grade
- 17.7%
Bike access & suitability
Legal permission and physical difficulty are evaluated separately.
Legal access
allowed
OSU College of Forestry classes this as a hiking, biking and horse trail in the Research Forests visitor guide.
Estimated MTB suitability
Difficult
73% confidence - score 57/100
- - Terrain: 17.7% 90th-percentile grade and 88 m climbing per km.
- - Surface: gravel.
- - Mapped MTB technical scale: 1.
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.
- 150 m away
Dan's Trail
Moderate · AceMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
4.69 km · 1h 10m · ↑ 66 m
- 150 m away
Lower Dan's Trail
Easy · FernMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
1.33 km · 25m · ↑ 70 m
- 200 m away
Middle Dan's Trail
Easy · FernMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
838 m · 10m · ↑ 0 m
- 400 m away
Humpty Bumpty / Bandit
Easy · FernMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
721 m · 10m · ↑ 19 m
- 450 m away
Chip Ross Park Walking Path
Moderate · AceChip Ross Park, Oregon
5.31 km · 1h 35m · ↑ 265 m
750 m away
Main Chip Ross Loop
Moderate · AceChip Ross Park, Oregon
5.0(1)
2.39 km · 40m · ↑ 97 m
- 750 m away
Chip Ross Trail
Easy · FernChip Ross Park, Oregon
2.39 km · 40m · ↑ 97 m
- 800 m away
Upper Dan's Trail
Easy · FernMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
2.52 km · 35m · ↑ 0 m
- 850 m away
Mud Freeway
Easy · FernOregon
580 m · 10m · ↑ 29 m
- 850 m away
Timberhill Natural Area Walking Path
Moderate · AceTimberhill Natural Area, Oregon
4.73 km · 1h 30m · ↑ 274 m
- 950 m away
Zigzag
Easy · FernMcDonald Research Forest, Oregon
547 m · 20m · ↑ 123 m
- 1.1 km away
29th to Chip Ross
Easy · FernTimberhill Natural Area, Oregon
547 m · 5m · ↑ 0 m
Photos
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Frequently asked
How long is Lower Horse Trail?
Lower Horse Trail is 1.4 km (0.9 miles) as a route. Allow roughly 30m at a steady walking pace, not counting stops.
How hard is Lower Horse Trail?
OpenTrail rates it easy. It climbs about 122 m overall, and its steepest sustained stretches run around 18%.
Where is Lower Horse Trail?
Lower Horse 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 Lower Horse 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 Lower Horse Trail?
Yes — Lower Horse Trail is mapped as dog friendly. Posted signs and seasonal restrictions always take precedence.
Can you bike Lower Horse Trail?
Bicycles are 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.