The (former mayor) Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade is a path along the east side of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. This path is used by both pedestrians and cyclists, and borders the Willamette River for 1.5 miles from the Steel Bridge to the Hawthorn Bridge. I began by crossing the Steel Bridge and walking down the stairs to the Eastbank Esplanade walkway. I then continued walking south along the concrete path and then down the ramp to the floating walkway on the river. The floating walkway was a little disappointing because I thought it would be more narrow, longer, and, well, more "floaty". Instead, it was a wide concrete deck that bobbed almost imperceptibly with the river waves. Though you can see the walkway moving up and down the pylons, I really couldn't feel it moving. I read that there are interpretive panels on the 22 markers which provide information about the river and the history of the area, but I didn't see any such panels when I walked there. Boo. Maybe they are located on the section I did not walk . . . The walkway floats little more than 30 feet from the scraggly shore and freeway overpasses above. However, it is far enough to provide a good vantage point from which to take pictures of the Willamette River, passing boats, the city skyline, and the bridges in both directions. Being that it is Portland, it won't surprise you to learn that the Esplanade was built with environmental protection as the main priority. The riverbank was restored and restructured to create shallow habitats. Native vegetation was strategically planted to minimize bank erosion and absorb and treat I-5 runoff before it enters the river. I think it is much more interesting to walk the esplanade knowing its purpose, but you shouldn't go out of your way to walk it as an exciting floating walkway. Instead, it is a quiet, peaceful walkway that offers some beautiful views. It takes less than an hour to leisurely stroll the loop from Tom McCall waterfront park across the Steel Bridge to the Esplanade and floating walkway, then back across the Burnside Bridge to the waterfront. At a brisk pace without photo stops, it takes about 30 minutes. For a longer walk, continue walking to the Hawthorne Bridge.

Perfect for bikes or foot. There is bridge noise from cars etc. but you are in the very heart of the city just a few feet above the water.