The easy part is the public transportation (train, trolley, tram) portion of the 4T where you see different parts of the city. It's a good way to get to understand how Portland is laid out. Our experience on the TRAIL part was very different than that of other reviewers. First tip: Do not do the trail on a hot day. If you have to, do it in the morning. Although the trail is beautiful and shady, it is hilly and not paved; there are steps and steep parts. (You don't need hiking boots though.) Second tip: There is no water along the way and only near the end of the trail did we find a port-o-potty. Third tip: Look out carefully for 4T trail signs. We found markers that appeared to contradict each other; there were intersections where we would have expected to see a marker and did not; when you get off the train at the Portland Zoo and start to head towards the trail (it is actually called the Marquam Trail), you have to cross an uncontrolled off ramp from the highway, walk across the highway overpass, turn left and find the trail entrance, which is several hundred feet down the road, which does not have a sidewalk. Once you get on the trail, look out for some interesting homes as you wind through what look like upscale neighborhoods. There was one part of the trail where you could take a shortcut through a residential area. We passed by a house that had hand carved totem poles by the front door. When we passed near the back of the house, we saw an elderly gentleman on the back porch carving more poles. The view from Council Crest is lovely and a nice break during the hike. The last half mile or so of the trail is kind of steep and winding. Once you reach the parking lot of the hospital, walk toward the street, turn left and follow signs to the hospital and tram. You will have to walk through several hospital buildings to reach the tram. The hospital is a great stop for a bathroom break and a drink. SUNDAY HIKERS BEWARE!: The tram runs only until 5 p.m. on Sundays. We made the last tram by the skin of our teeth. I have done the 4T twice, both times in the summer. I would love to do it in the fall to see the leaves changing color.

This was great fun!!! Interesting and a great way to spend 2.5 hours outdoors in Portland! Pay close attention to the signs and ask others if you think you are going the wrong way (easy to do at some intersections) but SUPER fun and not at all tough to do. Trails are easy and well traveled.

This loop of trails combining TRAINS (MAX light rail), TRAMS (from OHSU down to South Waterfront area), TROLLEYS (streetcar) and hiking TRAILS (from zoo to Council Crest and down to OHSU) will take natives to places in Portland that they have likely never been. It is an easy and inexpensive way to spend an afternoon when visiting Portland. You follow trails in the middle of town where only trees and critters can be seen. It is well signed and you can pick it up almost anywhere.
We started in downtown and bought an all-day MAX ticket and headed to the start of the trail by taking MAX west to Washington Park (zoo) stop and taking the elevator up and following the signs down across Highway 26 (the Sunset) and to the signed start of the Marquam Trail. HINT, go up only the SIGNED (4T Trail Sign) trail at the beginning of your hike. Others are dead-ends and can lead to hillside erosion