Fall 2025- Spring 2026 Nature Walks

Sustainable Silverton is pleased to introduce community Nature Walks! Even as the weather turns surly, getting outside for a walk in nature bolsters health by reducing blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones, as well as improving the immune system.

Our weekly Nature Walks will explore the beautiful walking trails of Silverton and the surrounding area. Enjoy well-known trails and discover less traveled paths. Walks will be led by volunteer guides. Join us to observe and relax in nature. We ask that conversations be kept light and focused on observations. We are not striving for speed or muscle-building. Guest-speakers (1x month) will offer brief information on birds, habitat, land or history.

Beginning the first Thursday of November, two walks (one shorter, one intermediate) will each head out at 9:00 a.m., with a group leader present for each group. The Nature Walks will be roughly half-hour for the Shorter walks and an hour for the Intermediate walks, depending on the group pace.

Schedule

November 6 (1st week): Coolidge-McLaine Park

Shorter Walk : Through the park and north side of the creek, behind the pool to Salamander Island. Can loop through the library path on the return and back to park.

Meet at: Coolidge-McLaine Park by Silverton Arts Association

Intermediate Walk: Through park, along both sides of the creek, to Salamander Island (1 mile total)

Meet at: Coolidge-McLaine Park by Silverton Arts Association

November 13 (2nd week): Abbey Hill, Mt. Angel

Shorter Walk: Flat loop at top.

Meet at: Second to last parking lot near the top that says “elevator.” Meet near the elevator.

Intermediate Walk: 

Meet at: Bottom of Abby Hill in the unpaved parking lot

November 20 (3rd week): Silver Falls State Park

Shorter Walk: The pathways at the top of South Falls.

Meet at: South Falls Parking lot main pay station nearest the lodge

The Intermediate Walk:  Make the loop under the South Falls and circle back to the top.

Meet At: top of South Falls 

November 27 (4th week): No group walk on 4th Thursdays.

Car pooling is encouraged and can be established between walkers. 

Dress in layers, bring rain gear, hats & gloves, and good walking shoes. It is our philosophy that: “There is no such thing as bad weather, just wrong clothing.” 

Cell phones are helpful in case of an emergency, put please, no phone conversations on the trails. A note on safety: Individual walkers are responsible for their own safety or injuries. Participants will be asked to sign a simple waiver releasing Sustainable Silverton from liability.

We look forward to carrying this on throughout winter and into the new year, with future walk options including the following Silverton locations: Pettit Lake, Ike Mooney Trail, Oak Grove/Web Lake, East View, Web Lake, Silverton Reservoir, and Oregon Garden. Surrounding town locations might include: Scotts Mills Park, Bush Park in Salem, Minto Brown Park in Salem, Butte Creek, and Keizer Rapids. We welcome ideas, especially of walks within Silverton, as we plan to chart our forays and bring what we learn to Silverton's active transportation network planning discussions.

(There is no charge for participation, though Sustainable Silverton always gratefully accepts donations. See sustainablesilverton.org for the ongoing schedule. Email questions about Nature Walks to Sustainablesilverton@gmail.com.)