Only in Oregon is the name Detroit synonymous with relaxing sunny days.

In stark contrast to that “other” Detroit in the Midwest — known mainly for industrial decline, massive debt and white rappers — the small lakeside town in Oregon’s Central Cascades is a place Salem residents flock to during summer to boat, fish and camp.

It’s also a place with great hiking trails nearby, pathways leading to mountain lakes, mountain views, wildflowers and even a cool cave.

Included below are the best easy to moderate hikes within a reasonable drive of Detroit as compiled by Statesman Journal outdoors writers Zach Urness and Eric Gjonnes. We’ll have a list of challenging hikes coming later this summer along with a top five hikes in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.

Be aware that some of these trails still have some snow, although it’s melting fast and you’re generally good up to and near 5,000 feet.

For other great hikes semi-near Detroit, see “Oregon Top 5: Best wildflower hikes in the Central Cascades” and “Oregon Top 5: Best hikes within an hour of Salem.“

HONORABLE MENTION: FIRECAMP LAKES

This little-known and easy trail meanders through older Douglas-fir, western hemlock and noble-fir forest, ending at Crown Lake and the rest of the Firecamp Lakes just inside the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. Enjoy wildflowers and views of the Cascades on a hike of less than 2 miles round-trip. Beware of mosquitoes early in summer.

Open: Mid to late June to October

Directions: From Detroit, turn left onto Breitenbush Road 46. Travel about 14 miles, and turn right on Forest Road 4685. Continue about 7 miles to Forest Road 330, turn right and head to the road’s end and trailhead.

5) DALY LAKE / PARISH LAKE

This duo of beautiful mountain lakes are a bit of a trip from Detroit, but in terms of look and ease, both are tough to beat.

A 1.1-mile wheelchair accessible trail circles Daly Lake among old-growth trees and blooms of rhododendrons. Just across the way, follow an easy half-mile trail to Parish Lake, which lights up with color in autumn. Bring a fishing pole, too, for trout.

Open: June to November

Directions: From Detroit, follow Highway 22 east to milepost 75. Turn right at signs for Parrish Lake Road and follow, onto the gravel, 4.8 miles to a split in the road. Turn right and go uphill 0.4 mile for Daly Lake Trailhead. Head straight/left for ParishLake Trailhead on the left left (just past Pyramid Trailhead).

4) STAHLMAN POINT

If there were a list for most underrated hikes in Willamette National Forest, this trail likely would lead the pack.

Beginning on the south side of Detroit Lake, this moderately difficult hike climbs gradually through groves of old-growth to a spectacular viewpoint of Mount Jefferson. The trail always is open, even during the worst storms, making it one of those rare always-open trails in the mountains.

The hike is 4.8 miles round-trip with 1,300 feet of elevation gain.

Open: year-round

Directions: From Detroit, continue on Highway 22 a short distance to mile marker 53 and the “entering Idanha” sign. Turn right onto Blowout Road (Forest Service Road 10). Drive 3.8 miles until you see the Stahlman Point Trail No. 3449 and its trailhead on your left.

3) SOUTH BREITENBUSH GORGE

This blissful slice of trail follows the South Breitenbush River 3 miles one-way, across a series of funky bridges, through an old-growth forest filled with wildflowers (in spring) or bright autumn colors (in autumn).

Two highlights include a gorge where the river thunders into a narrow slot (don’t fall in here!) and a scenic bridge over mossy, pristine Roaring Creek.

Make sure to follow “gorge” pointers on the trail. But to find the gorge itself, keep an eye out exactly 2.5 miles from the trailhead for two old logs sticking out into the trail. Follow this spur down toward the sound of rushing water for the viewpoint.

The Roaring Creek bridge is the turnaround point for a 6-mile out-and-back hike.

Open: March to late November (or whenever snow starts in lower elevations)

Directions: From Detroit, turn left onto Breitenbush River Road 46 for 11 miles. Just past the mile marker 11, turn right onto a road that is marked by a stop sign and labeled Road 4600-050. Continue down this gravel road less than half a mile to a pullout on the left, just before a green gate. The trail begins just to the left of the green gate with signs marked “gorge trail.”

2) OLALLIE LAKE SCENIC AREA

A paradise of more than 200 mountain lakes, old-growth forest and delicious huckleberries highlight this scenic, forested plateau northeast of Detroit.

The trail with quickest access from Detroit is the Red Lake Trail, which begins at a little-traveled trailhead and climbs 1.5 miles and 900 feet through big, shaded trees to the Olallie plateau.

The first lake you’ll encounter is Red Lake (1.7 mile mark), but many follow, including Averill Lake (2.0), Wall Lake (2.7) and Sheep Lake (3.0). Continue as far as your legs will take you, but make sure you bring a swimsuit on hot summer days and see how many lakes you can swim in (or “bag”).

Open: Late June to October

Directions: From Detroit, turn left on Breitenbush Road 46 for 18 miles and watch for sights pointing out Red Lake Trail on the right. Turn right at the pointer, Forest Service Road 380, for just less than 1 mile. Watch for the trailhead sign on the left, and park at a pullout on the right. (GPS coordinates: N44 49.278 W121 52.387)

1) TRIANGULATION PEAK / BOCA CAVE

The view of Mount Jefferson fills up the entire sky, so close it feels as though you could reach out and touch Oregon’s second tallest mountain, from the summit of this easy to moderate hike.

Throw in the chance to visit the amazing Boca Cave — where more outstanding views of Jefferson can be had — and you have our top hike of this list.

The trail begins at a trailhead just outside the Mount Jefferson Wilderness (the trailhead doesn’t actually indicate where the trail will bring you). After 1.7 miles, follow an unmarked trail to the right and climb 0.6 miles and 503 feet to the summit overlook.

On the way up or back, look for a faint trail leading off to the east that brings you to Boca Cave. The full hike is 4.6 miles round-trip with 904 feet of climb.

Open: Mid June to October

Directions: From Detroit, follow Highway 22 for 5.4 miles, just past Idanha, and turn left on McCoy Creek Road (Forest Service Road 2233). Follow the paved and then gravel road 8 miles. Turn a sharp uphill right at the four-way intersection and continue 1 mile, then turn on Forest Service Road No. 635. You will immediately see the trailhead. (GPS coordinates: N44 43.290 W121 56.924).