The best walks and hikes in Josephine County

The Dollar Mountain Trail in Grants Pass, Oregon, is a short but challenging hike that rewards you with scenic views and a solid workout. The trail is approximately 2 miles round trip with an elevation gain of just over 750 feet and some fairly steep sections. The hike takes you through shaded oak and manzanita forests, providing excellent views of the Rogue River Valley and Grants Pass. Despite the rather unremarkable summit, which features a radio tower, the journey is worth it for the exercise and the views. Just be aware that there are no restrooms or water sources on the trail, and watch out for poison oak as you hike here.

Timber Riders Trail, or the Timberline Trail, is a popular hiking, running, and mountain biking trail near the Sky Crest Trailhead. Although this trail is fairly well-trafficked, its not as crowded as others in the area and is a nice way to get from the Sky Crest Trailhead on the northeastern side of the Cathedral Hills area to the more central trails.

The Outback Loop trail is one of the longest loops within the Cathedral Hills Area. This trail is popular with hikers and mountain bikers alike due to its length and the fact that you can connect it with almost every other trail in the area. This section of trail traverses the southwestern edge of Cathedral Hills, connecting down to the Epsey Trailhead and parking area.

The Wild Rose Loop Trail is a little bit removed from the rest of the Cathedral Hills Trail system, making it a nice option if you want to escape the crowds of hikers, bikers, runners, and the occasional horseback rider. This trail is still pretty popular, however, so you'll probably see other folks out. To access this loop trail from the main area, follow the West (or "W") Trail from the Backside Loop.

The Backside Loop trail is a popular trail on the far southern end of the Cathedral Hills Area. This loop, like many of the trails here, can be done on its own for a short, pleasant hike through the woods, or be extended by connecting it with a multitude of other trails that crisscross the area. Be on the lookout as you hike for mountain bikers for this is an extremely popular mountain biking area.

Mount Elijah, situated in the Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon, stands at an elevation of approximately 6,411 feet and is part of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Located near Oregon Caves National Monument, you can access the trail to Mount Elijah from within the boundaries of the monument itself, starting at the visitor center. The hike from begins and ends along the popular Big Tree Trail, where you climb through lush forests and past marble formations, offering glimpses of the unique geology and diverse plant life of the Klamath-Siskiyou region. The region is rich in biodiversity, featuring coniferous forests, alpine meadows, and wildlife such as black bears and deer. As part of the geologically complex Klamath-Siskiyou region, Mount Elijah is composed of ancient rocks and is a popular destination for hiking and camping. You can also access the mountain from outside of the monument via the Bigelow Lakes-Mount Elijah Loop Trail, which provides stunning views of the surrounding wilderness, including the Illinois Valley.

Bolt Mountain stands at 2,188 feet above sea level and is accessed via the Bolt Mountain Trail, a multi-use trail that offers year-round accessibility to the peak and stunning panoramic views. Located just outside the Grants Pass city limits, the trail begins at Fish Hatchery Park and ascends 3.2 miles (one way) to the summit and averages a 10-12% grade. This challenging trail spirals through diverse microclimates and offers numerous valley and Applegate River views. The mountain's unique serpentine soil supports distinctive plant and animal species.

The West Fork Illinois River Trailhead is situated south of Cave Junction, where the East and West Forks of the Illinois River converge. There are several popular loop hikes that offer a secluded trail experience through the mixed forest typical of the Siskiyou region. On these hikes, you traverse gullies, ridges, and slopes, encountering diverse flora and occasional obstacles like downed trees. The trail, which is primarily on BLM and Oregon State Parks land, winds through forests of pine, Douglas-fir, myrtle, madrone, and oak, with limited river access and few scenic views. The trailhead features a parking lot, pit toilets, an information kiosk and a horse trailer parking area. Noteworthy segments include the Dogwood Trail and the River Trail, which features switchbacks, myrtle trees, and an old barbed wire fence near the riverbank.