Lowami Hart Woods Natural Area is a 28 acre forested and wetland natural area, 30 minutes from downtown Portland. This park is bisected by Johnston Creek and South Johnson Creek [don’t be confused], separating a conifer forest on the east from a mixed conifer-deciduous forest on the west. This natural area is a prime destination for walking and wildlife viewing, especially of birds.

Our chosen route begins at the small parking lot off Hart Road, where you will find accessible parking, picnic benches, a drinking fountain and a porta potty. There are bike racks and a kiosk with a map of the park here as well. Off to the left, is one of the trailheads to the paved Fir Loop Trail. This trail includes a large viewing deck, with a bench, looking into the forest.

Completing the Fir Loop Trail, we head north to convene with the South Johnson Creek Trail. This route leads to one of the two bridges in the park. It crosses South Johnson Creek with railings and great views of the creek. The transition from paved trail to boardwalk is smooth.

For more viewing opportunities, we veered left onto the Madrone Loop Trail, a quarter-mile, natural surface trail. This trail has a steep cross slope at points. You will pass a bench along this trail before reconnecting with the paved trail by way of a steep slope with railroad tie steps.

The second bridge is along a natural surface trail leading out of the park to Hart Road. The transitions from the bridge to natural surface may have a lip. There is a steep slope from the bridge to the sidewalk.

To assist in wayfinding, directional signage is located at primary trail junctions. If you’re looking for a place to rest and take in the beauty of the forest, there are many benches along the trails. Due to short sections of paved and natural surface trails with steep grades and cross slopes, we rated this trail as easy to moderate difficulty.

Park and trails are open from dawn to dusk.