Paradise Park is an alpine meadow high on Mt. Hood with a view of the mountain, and Trail #778 is a steady climb to it through the Mount Hood Wilderness. Hikers start at the Paradise Park Trailhead near the end of Forest Road 2639-021, off Kiwanis Camp Road and US Highway 26, at about 2,800 feet.
Switchbacks lift the trail onto a wooded ridge north of the Zigzag River, with views into Zigzag Canyon. After junctions with Zigzag Mountain Trail #775 and the Pacific Crest Trail, it reaches Paradise Park Loop Trail #757 at 5,760 feet, then goes another half mile across alpine meadows to a 6,240-foot viewpoint. A 1999 rebuild eased the steepest sections.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 3 of 5
- Typical grade
- 12-20%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Zigzag
Connects to: Paradise Park Loop Trail #757, Zigzag Mountain Trail #775
More about the Mount Hood Wilderness and its trails →
Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Things to do
- Picnicking
Getting there
- Access from Paradise Park Trailhead.
From Sandy
- follow U.S. Hwy 26 22 miles east and turn left (north) at Kiwanis Camp Road (Forest Road 2639) (approximately 0.6 mile east of milepost 48).
- Travel 1.2 miles on Kiwanis Camp Road to Forest Road 2639-021.
- Turn left (north) onto Forest Road 2639-021 and park in the parking area near the end of the road.
From the Forest Service
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restriction apply
Passes and permits
A valid Recreation Pass is required at the Paradise Park Trailhead from May 1 to October 31.
Trails nearby
Paradise Park Loop Trail #757
4.8 mi round trip
1,195 ft
Hard
Zigzag Mountain Trail #775
24.4 mi round trip
8,421 ft
Very hard
Timberline Trail #600
39.2 mi loop
11,267 ft
Very hard
Pacific Crest Trail (Zigzag RD)
85.4 mi round trip
16,324 ft
Very hard
Pioneer Bridle Trail #795
16 mi round trip
2,488 ft
Very hard
Hidden Lake Trail #779
8.4 mi round trip
2,694 ft
Very hard
Laurel Hill Chute Trail #759A
1 mi round trip
356 ft
Easy
Little Zigzag Falls Trail #795C
1.2 mi round trip
311 ft
Easy
Glacier View Trail #692B
1.8 mi round trip
175 ft
Mirror Lake Trail #664
7 mi round trip
1,695 ft
Hard
Devils Tie Trail #767
0.6 mi round trip
345 ft
Easy
Cast Lake Trail #796
1 mi round trip
218 ft
Easy
