Ridgeline Trail and Cascades Raptor Center

The Raptor Center is a rehabilitation center specializing in hawks, falcons, owls and other raptors. This is a good starting point for a hike along the Ridgeline Trail, which circles through the south hills of Eugene. After you visit the 33 species of captive raptors and watch wild feeder birds, woodpeckers and warblers in the forested setting, you can hike the trail SW through mixed forest (with some old growth) to Spencer Butte for magnificent views of the Willamette Valley and the snowcapped Three Sisters volcanoes in the Cascades. For a longer hike, continue through mixed forest and oak savanna all the way to the West Eugene Wetlands. The Raptor Center (entrance fee) is open Tuesdays through Sundays, plus Mondays on holidays. The Ridgeline Trail (no fee) is open from dawn to dusk all year.

From downtown Eugene go S on Pearl St which changes name to Amazon Parkway. Continue for 1.3 mi, passing Amazon City Park. At stoplight turn R (S) onto Hilyard St. Go 0.3 mi to 2nd stoplight and and veer L (SE) on W Amazon Dr. Go 0.8 mi to 4-way stop. Turn R (W) on Fox Hollow Rd and go 2 mi to Raptor Center parking area at 32275 Fox Hollow Rd. Transit: Lane Transit District Bus 24 or 73 stop at Donald/Fox Hollow Rd; from there walk 0.8 mi SW to Raptor Center.