Along the crest of the West Hills above Washington Park is Hoyt Arboretum (4000 SW Fairview Blvd., 503/865-8733, www.hoytarboretum.org, 6 a.m.–10 p.m. daily, free), with 12 miles of trails winding through an expansive 187-acre tree garden boasting the world’s largest collection of conifers.

Hoyt Arboretum’s collection is made up of over 8,000 individual trees and plants that represent over 1,000 species from all corners of the globe. Most of the collection is linked by trails and labeled with botanical names.

The trees throughout are presented in taxonomically organized groups, surrounded by other members of the same order, family, and genus; in other words, oaks are with oaks, and maples are with other maples. However, the Arboretum’s landscape feels natural, with alternating open meadows and groves of trees.

Visitors should stop by the visitor center and pick up a trail map before setting out. One trail is paved and suitable for wheelchairs.