Need a place to walk? Take the train or bus.

Here in the Northwest, we're never far from great places to walk.

But if you want to stroll someplace different than your neighborhood, you can always catch a ride. Public buses in most communities and the MAX train in the Portland area can take you to some prime walking, hiking and biking trails.

Here are some that we like:

Metro area

• Springwater Trail, East Portland and Gresham—The trail runs from the Willamette River to Gresham and beyond. Take the MAX Blue Line to Gresham Central Station, walk west to Main Street, then south about three-quarters of a mile to the trail. Or you can catch TriMet’s No. 9 bus, get off at the West Powell/North Main Street stop and walk south about two-tenths of a mile to the trail.

• Vera Katz Esplanade/Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Downtown Portland—You can’t beat the trail on either side of the Willamette River. You can reach it from the MAX station at the Rose Quarter or from any stop on First Avenue.

• Smith-Bybee Lakes, North Portland—Ride MAX’s Yellow Line to the Expo Center, transfer to the No. 16 bus (Front Ave./St. Johns) and ask for a stop at the Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area.

• For other walks near MAX—Visit this web site for maps of the Portland area, including information on how to get to great walks from MAX and the buses.

Astoria

• The Waterfront Walkway—Enjoy the Astoria Columbia River waterfront with four miles of paved pathway and a more rugged trail traveling even farther east. Get to it easily from any downtown bus stop, or from the Astoria Riverfront Trolley. For a map of this a a lot of great trails in Clatsop County, visit oldoregon.com.

Salem

• Bush’s Pasture Park is a short walk from many bus routes through downtown Salem, with walking trails, athletic fields and other things to keep you active.

Klamath Falls

• Link River Nature Trail—Get to this 1.5-mile trail behind the Favell Museum, which you can reach from Basin Transit Service Route 3/5. The 1.5 mile trail is longer than the river, but it’s a great place to watch wintering waterfowl. Read more about it at the Klamath Birding Trails web site.

• OC&E Woods Line State Trail—Walk a few blocks or up to 100 miles on this trail converted from the rail bed of the old Oregon, California and Eastern Railroad. Reach the trail off South Sixth Street from most bus routes in downtown Klamath Falls. Find out more at the Oregon State Parks web site.