There are a lot of wonderful hiking opportunities around Portland. On most weekends the city feels empty and I’ve often wondered where people go. Apparently they go to Multnomah Falls. A scenic thirty minute drive east of Portland the falls offers a chance to get away from the concrete jungle and take in some wonderful sights. Multnomah Falls are the tallest waterfalls in Oregon and the base of the falls are right off the I-84, very little walking necessary.
Not content with the view from the bottom I decided to make the mile trek to the top. This was steeper than anticipated. Despite being a paved trail it felt rough to me. I was dragging. Then a guy carrying a child on his shoulders passed me and I knew I was in bad shape. 
Eventually I made it to the top. From this height you can look into the Columbia River Gorge. It’s quite stunning. The banks were green and the water blue. It’s also not as crowded as it was at the base.
This is certainly the best exit off of a highway I’ve ever seen.