The South Hills Ridgeline Trail is only minutes from downtown Eugene [1] and offers wildlife-watching opportunities (look for deer, tree frogs, garter snakes, and all kinds of birds) and more species of fern than perhaps any other single spot in Oregon. In addition, old-growth Douglas fir and the lovely and increasingly hard-to-find calypso orchid grow here.
The trail is seldom steep and has some spectacular views of the city through clearings. A spur route leads up to the highest point in Eugene, 2,052-foot Spencer’s Butte [2], via a steep and often muddy trail.
The Ridgeline Trail can be reached from several points, including Dillard Road; near the corner of Fox Hollow and Christenson Roads; near Willamette and 52nd; off Blanton Road near 40th; and the Spencer’s Butte parking area.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/the-willamette-valley/eugene
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/the-willamette-valley/eugene/parks-and-trails/spencer-s-butte