Spencer Butte

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A great hike with fantastic panoramic views of the Coastal Range, the Cascade Volcanoes, and the city of Eugene.

Spencer Butte is a popular destination that an be accessed from several trailheads. Due to the great views and easy accessibility expect to share the trails with plenty of other visitors.

There are three main trailheads that visitors can climb on the Ridgeline Trail to Spencer Butte from. The route shown starts at the Willamette Street Trailhead for just over a 5 mile round-trip outing. Alternatively starting at the Fox Hollow trailhead is closer to 4 miles. For an even shorter hike, the Spencer Butte Park Trailhead makes for a bit over two miles.

All three trail options climb about 1000 feet to the top of the butte, though that doesn't mean the Spencer Butte Main Trail is much steeper approaching from the other trailheads as most of the elevation gain is occurs near the summit.

The surrounding area is a lovely fern-covered forests of Douglas Firs with the exception of the "bald" summit of Spencer Butte. Because the summit does not have any trees, it offers unobstructed panoramic views of the entire area. On a clear day, you can see the Coastal Range on one side and the Cascade Volcanoes on the other. It also provides great views of the city of Eugene.

Portions of the hike are steep and uneven. If it's recently rained that trail can become sloppy and various roots along the trail and the rocks at the summit can be noticeably slippery. Recently installed stairs to the summit make the going easier.

Giant Douglas firs cover most of the butte and there are plentiful ferns.