Walking Portland: Johns Landing, Gibbs Street Pedestrian Bridge, South Willamette Greenway

This 5-mile Walking Portland loop features multiple close-in SW Portland neighborhoods–Corbett-Terwilliger-Lair Hill (with Johns Landing) and South Waterfront (along South Willamette Greenway Trail).

2021 11 28 15.47.11 — Well Dressed Beaver at Cottonwood Bay on South Willamette Greenway

The walk starts at one of our fave coffee hangouts, Jola Café on South Corbett Avenue. Definitely stop in and give these great folks some love. Without them this walk is minus our usual kick off macchiato.

2021 11 28 13.39.29 — Jola Cafe on South Corbett Avenue in Portland’s Johns Landing Neighborhood

From there it proceeds along Corbett to South Gibbs Street, and then heads east to Gibbs Street Pedestrian Bridge, high above the I-5 freeway.

2018 12 25 15.47.04 1 — Gibbs Street Bridge, linking Corbett-Terwilliger-Lair Hill and South Waterfront

Without this feat of thoughtful engineering the Corbett-Terwilliger-Lair Hill neighborhood would have no quick and easy pedestrian and bike access to the waterfront.

2018 12 25 15.44.13 — Pedestrian elevator and stairs linking Moody Avenue and Gibbs Street

The bridge spans 700 feet (the views!) to connect to a 5-story high elevator tower (with 132-step stairway option) that descends to Moody Avenue in Portland’s South Waterfront District.

Online Interactive Walking Route Map

WALKING PORTLAND JOHNS LANDING SW WATERFRONT — Route Map (Link): Johns Landing, Pedestrian Bridge, Willamette Greenway

Our route maps are designed so you can both follow and keep track of where you are on the route from your iPhone while walking. On your computer, save the route map to your bookmarks bar and then open that link from your iPhone.

While walking, open the Legend field on the map to get turn-by-turn directions. If Google Maps is tracking properly (occasionally, in some areas, it glitches) you’ll see a small blue ball that represents you on the map. That helps to keep track of where you actually are on the route.

2020 04 17 12.12.02 — South Willamette Waterfront Park

When you get to the waterfront, the world changes. The charming historic home styles–bungalow, craftsman, foursquare, Victorian–on the hill above are replaced by contemporary townhomes and high-rise condominiums, many with stunning views.

2020 04 17 12.25.21 — South Willamette Waterfront Trail in summer

And parks! Miles and miles of Willamette River waterfront walkways and adjacent public parkland. Honestly, I have to pinch myself every time I take this walk.

2021 11 28 15.43.55 — South Willamette Waterfront Trail in fall

To make sure I’m not fantasizing it.

And it changes magically from early morning to twilight. And in every month of the year. So if you happen to live nearby, you can traverse this route regularly, without an ounce of boredom seeping in.

Walk Details

ROUTE MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=17xM9JsC_nPnjI8RaoPUnvUTBKG5nBfws&usp=sharing

PARKING: Free street parking (near Jola Cafe).

RESTROOMS: Elizabeth Caruthers Park and several coffee shops indicated on route map.

DISTANCE: About 5 miles.

TIME: 2-3+ hours.

TERRAIN: Mostly flat, easy city sidewalks.

DIFFICULTY: Easy. (Well okay, you get extra credit if you climb UP the 132 stairs.)

WALKING PORTLAND: JOHNS LANDING, GIBBS STREET PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, SOUTH WILLAMETTE GREENWAY — Preparing for SkyBlue Portland’s next group walk. We’re your team.

Monthly Group Walks

The SkyBlue Portland Group hosts monthly group walks through some of Portland Metro’s most beautiful, uplifting, and interesting neighborhoods.

For info on our Portland Metro walking tours, check our Facebook page, PDX Women Who Walk and corresponding meetup (PDX Women Who Walk) Then join us!