An easy hike along the coast is at Cape Lookout State Park, which is a little over an hour away, along Highway 101 North. The Cape Trail is about 2.3 miles long, round trip, provides stunning views and whale watching opportunities, and takes about three hours.  

Mary's Peak in Corvallis offers several hiking trails. For a moderate hike, consider the North Ridge Trail, which is nearly 6.5 miles long. Mary's Peak is located two miles west of Highway 34 at the Philomath junction.

For a more difficult hike, try Fish Creek Trail. Located near Estacada, this trail is south of the Estacada Ranger Station, on Fish Creek Road. This hike is about 15 miles long, and takes about eight hours to complete.

When looking for local hikes, check out books written by local author William Sullivan. Cassandra Cooper, Straub Environmental Learning Center Coordinator, says these books are comprehensive and practical resources for hikers at almost any level.

For easy and moderate hikes, bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen and a flashlight in case you're out later than expected. Pack extra clothing and a raincoat, in case of inclement weather. More difficult hikes may require equipment like trekking poles, which reduce the amount of strain on your joints and make it easier to climb steep or slippery trails. Regardless of where you hike, be sure to bring a cell phone and tell someone where you'll be going and when you expect to return.  

Biking
Riding a bicycle is an efficient way to travel and exercise. However, one bike doesn't fit all -- there are several factors to take into account when choosing a bicycle.  

Mountain bikes are made for rocky, rough terrain. These bikes are built to take a beating on dirt roads, and have thick frames and knobbly, wide tires for increased stability.  

Road bikes are designed for speed, with skinny, smoother tires, lighter frames, and up to 15 speeds.

Andy Myer, former director of the Willamette University Bike Shop, said, "The '81 Schwinn LeTour road bike I found on Craigslist is perfect for commuting in Salem. It's fast enough to keep up with traffic, which makes riding less hazardous for me and the cars on the road."  

Consider purchasing a cruiser bicycle if you'll be riding on flatter surfaces. These bicycles boast one to three speeds, and typically have a more stylized "vintage" look to them.  

When picking out a bike, be sure that it fits you. According to Joe Dobson at the Bike Peddler, "When your bike doesn't fit your body and riding style, it negatively impacts your performance [and] riding enjoyment, and increases the likelihood of injuries."

Those who already own bicycles and are looking for routes can visit the City of Salem's website (cityofsalem.net) and look for "maps" under the A-Z index. The Police Department also registers bicycles, so you're more likely to recover your bicycle on the off chance that it's stolen.

Regardless of whatever (or wherever) you ride, be sure to wear a helmet, attach a light to your bicycle, and ride with traffic.

Kayaking
If you're looking to hit the water as the temperatures rise, coasting around Oregon's streams and rivers in a kayak or canoe could be your ticket to the great outdoors. Though Salem's kayaking resources aren't as well developed as those for the hiking and biking communities, there are still plenty of ways to get on the water this summer.

If you're new to kayaking, consider taking a lesson from the City of Salem. The Recreation Department is offering a beginner's class at Minto Brown Island Park on June 7 from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. The fee is $37, and includes the cost of kayak rental. There's also a combined lesson and long tour on the Santiam River June 7. This event runs 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., and the $51 fee includes equipment rental.

The Chemeketans, Salem's outdoor adventurers, also do kayaking and canoe trips, and have several planned for this summer. If you're an experienced kayaker or canoer and have a favorite trip you'd like to lead, contact the organization's canoe chairperson, L. Schellin, at (503) 363-7777. Registration is required for these trips, so be sure to contact the group before showing up with your equipment. The Straub Environmental Learning Center and Willamette Riverkeeper will offer a $5 interpretive canoe trip on July 26. Call Cassandra Cooper at (503) 391-4145 for more details and registration.

If you're already familiar with the ins and outs of kayaking, you can rent one for yourself and visit any number of destinations. Here in Salem, you can rent kayaks for a mere $25 a day from Joe's on N. Commercial Street. It's also a good idea to rent a life jacket, bring plenty of sunscreen, water, and snacks, and be sure to let someone else know where you're kayaking and what time you expect to return.