Trail Diary — Exploring One of Vancouver’s Many Great Walking/Hiking Trails

Trail Diary —
Exploring One of Vancouver’s Many Great Walking/Hiking Trails

By Jenny Freemen

Just over the Columbia River from Portland are some of the best walking trails in the area. As Clark County has grown, the beautiful trail areas for walkers, runners, and bikers have grown with it.

The Columbia River lies as the backdrop for the most well known walking path. The Renaissance Trail begins in Vancouver’s Esther Short Park (on Columbia between 6th and 8th) and heads south (S.E. Columbia Way) toward the riverfront and then turns east to follow the river’s edge. The downtown park affords a great meeting spot with ample parking, a closeness to a friendly coffee shop for that important before or after walk beverage, and from spring through fall, easy access to the farmer's market. The path is flat, level and has one mile, half-mile, and quarter-mile marks on the sidewalk. There are only two street crossings with signal lights to impede a steady pace.

Staying on the west side of the street takes you past the Columbia River Inn at the Quay Hotel and Conference Center and under the Interstate 5 bridge. Just west of the hotel is the Vancouver Landing boat ramp and a river viewing spot. This area also serves as the starting point for many summer walk events. Just east of the bridge is the new Joe’s Crab Shack restaurant and Who Song & Larry’s Restaurant. Vancouver’s Waterfront Park is just east of the restaurants. Across the street from the park and restaurants is The Old Apple Tree Park. The park is dedicated to the Pacific Northwest’s oldest apple tree planted in 1826. (It still bears fruit.) The walking path in this area is wide and level with ample benches to rest or retie a shoe.

As you reach the riverfront condo homes (just past the one-mile mark) you can take the right path to continue along the river’s edge or stay on the street side. If you choose the river path, you’ll have an unobstructed view upriver and downriver. This portion of the path begs you to slow your pace and just take in the sights. Along the riverside path is access to a small beach area so your four-legged walking partner can dip a paw. You can rejoin the main path by walking up (S.E. Columbia House Blvd.) from the river between the restaurants and past (you guessed it) another friendly coffee shop.

Continue east on S.E. Columbia Way past the industrial/office area with a very rich local history. This is apparent by cross-street names like Kaiser Avenue, Victory Avenue, and Assembly Avenue. Then continue eastward to Vancouver’s Marine Park. Here, three miles from where you started, are restrooms and water fountains. This doesn’t have to be your turnaround yet. Alongside the park is S.E. Marine Park Way. There is a cove next to the park that Christensen Yacht Company uses for its boat finishing area and you may get a glimpse of its latest luxury yacht under construction. Continue on this side trip around to the park’s river observatory. You’ll find a walk-up viewpoint next to the boat launch. The Water Resource Center nearby offers exhibits, an art gallery, and an aquarium featuring live sturgeon. You can continue east through Marine Park to observe the most recent riverside development. The Tidewater Condominium project is well under way. The sidewalk path ends around the four-mile mark but there are plans to continue this path further eastward through Wintler Park and eastward on Evergreen Boulevard. From Evergreen Blvd., you can cross over the Interstate 205 bridge and continue down the opposite side of the river or stay on the Washington side and continue walking to Camas.

The Renaissance Trail is a great Clark County introductory walk, run, or bike ride. You’ll find much more information about this trail and many others at these websites: