A new series pairing great local hikes with a post-trail bite. For our first Hike and a Bite, we started with a classic Portland combo: a forested stroll along the Lower Macleay Trail and pizza and beer at Pizza Thief on NW Vaughn. Just the right mix of green space and good food
The Hike: Lower Macleay Trail
The Lower Macleay Trail is one of Portland’s go-to escapes when you want to be in the woods without leaving town. It’s shaded and follows Balch Creek through one of the more peaceful corners of Forest Park. Along the way, you pass the Stone House (aka the Witch’s Castle), then climb past the small waterfall and deeper into the trees.
We continued all the way to the Upper Macleay parking lot, where we flipped around and headed back the way we came. The trip clocked in at around 3.1 miles roundtrip, with a nice mix of mellow sections and a few stretches that got the heart rate up—enough to feel like we earned what came next.
THE BITE: PIZZA THIEF
Post-hike, we headed to Pizza Thief at 2610 NW Vaughn St, about half a mile away. It’s no frills, no fuss, just a bright, friendly space that welcomes trail shoes and a hunger for carbs. We grabbed some cold beer and shared the Italian Chopped Salad, meatballs with amazing focaccia, and a couple of slices of pizza—exactly what we were craving after the trail.
Why It Works
Close to the city but surrounded by trees. Just enough uphill to feel like a real hike. And the food is nearby. Lower Macleay to Pizza Thief is one of those outings you could turn into a regular habit—and honestly, we might.
More Hike and a Bite posts are coming soon. We’ll mix it up with different terrains, seasons, and snacks. We’re all ears if you’ve got a favorite trail + food combo.