Columbia River Gorge Hikes
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
Contents |
Trans-Gorge Hikes
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes | |
Mark O. Hatfield Trail | Difficult | 60.0 | 13,500 | Five-night backpack through the Hatfield Wilderness | |
Columbia Gorge Trail | Moderate | 0.0 | 0 | River level transect of the western Columbia Gorge (placeholder) |
Cape Horn Area
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes | |
Cape Horn Loop Hike | Moderate | 7.1 | 1350 | Trail loop in the western Gorge with spectacular clifftop views and a waterfall | |
Cape Horn Summit Hike | Moderate | 3 | 800 | Moderate hike to a unique Gorge view | |
St Cloud Loop Hike | Easy | - | - | A universal access trail through a 50 year old apple orchard | |
Sams Walker Loop Hike | Easy | - | - | A stroll through native oak forests with views of the river |
Crown Point Area
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Western Gorge - Oregon side | |||||
Lewis and Clark Park Hike | Easy | 3.0 | 100 | Noisy hike under Broughton Bluff and to climbing walls | |
Sandy River Delta Hike | Easy | 4.2 | 100 | Quasi-trailless romp to the Columbia River | |
Rooster Rock Loop Hike | Easy | 3.0 | 100 | Shaded path to a riverside landmark | |
Latourell Falls Hike | Easy | 2.4 | 520 | Two beautiful waterfalls | |
Sheppard's Dell | Easy | 0.3 | 50 | Paved Stroll to a small waterfall | |
Bridal Veil Loop Hike | Easy | 0.5 | 0 | Paved, all-access trail to river viewpoints | |
Bridal Veil Falls Hike | Easy | 0.6 | 70 | Downhill trail to waterfall |
Angel's Rest Trailhead | |||||
Angel's Rest Hike | Moderate | 4.8 | 1450 | Outstanding 270 degree rocky summit | |
Angel's Rest-Devil's Rest Loop Hike | Moderate | 10.9 | 2770 | A loop beyond Angel's Rest |
Multnomah Falls Area
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Larch Mountain Trailhead | |||||
Larch Mountain Crater Hike | Moderate | 5.9 | 1310 | Explore meadows in the crater of an extinct volcano | |
Sherrard Point Hike | Easy | 0.6 | 170 | Brief stair climb to a spectacular viewpoint. |
Mist Falls Trailhead | |||||
Mist Falls Hike | Moderate | 0.6 | 300 | Very rough use path to the base of Oregon's second highest waterfall |
Wahkeena Trailhead | |||||
Devil's Rest via Wahkeena Hike | Moderate | 7.5 | 2550 | Hike up pretty creek to a Gorge summit | |
Fairy Falls Hike | Moderate | 2.0 | 800 | Uphill trail to an intimate waterfall | |
Wahkeena Falls Hike | Moderate | 1.4 | 600 | A paved trail past the falls to a viewpoint |
Multnomah Falls Trailhead | |||||
Cougar Rock via Elevator Shaft Hike | Difficult | 6.7 | 1860 | Lost trail up talus slope to unique outcrop | |
Larch Mountain Hike | Difficult | 14.4 | 4010 | Trail of many falls to majestic 360 degree viewpoint | |
Multnomah Falls Hike | Moderate | 2.6 | 700 | Paved switchbacks to top of state's highest falls | |
Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop Hike | Moderate | 4.9 | 1600 | A classic loop with 10 waterfalls |
Oneonta Trailhead | |||||
Bell Creek Loop Hike | Difficult | 14.5 | 3330 | Lessor used trail through varied forests, creeks | |
Larch Mountain via Oneonta Trail Hike | Difficult | 17.2 | 4400 | Longer, quieter option to the top of Larch Mountain | |
Triple Falls Hike | Moderate | 3.2 | 610 | Lush forest hike to a beautiful unique falls |
Oneonta Gorge Trailhead | |||||
Oneonta Gorge Hike | Moderate | 1.0 | 0 | Wade up creek to spectacular hidden waterfall |
Horsetail Falls Trailhead | |||||
Horsetail Falls Loop Hike | Easy | 2.6 | 610 | Nice lower elevation loop for beginners | |
Ponytail Falls Hike | Easy | 0.8 | 360 | Short steep hike to a walk-behind waterfall | |
Rock of Ages Loop Hike | Difficult | 10.0 | 3000 | Scramble up an unmaintained trail past unique rock features |
Ainsworth Picnic Area | |||||
Ainsworth Loop Hike | Easy | 0.4 | 150 | Easy nature loop for kids over 8 |
John B Yeon Trailhead | |||||
Elowah Falls Hike | Easy | 1.4 | 280 | Easy hike to an impressive falls | |
Munra Point from Yeon Trailhead Hike | Moderate | 7.4 | 2270 | Fun, difficult scramble to a 360 viewpoint | |
Nesmith Point Hike | Difficult | 10.6 | 3800 | Classic conditioner hike through beautiful box canyon | |
Nesmith-Oneonta Traverse Hike | Difficult | 14.1 | 3800 | Lesser used one-way shuttle over Yeon Mt | |
Nesmith-Tanner Traverse Hike | Difficult | 16.7 | 4350 | One-way shuttle hike to Tooth Rock Trailhead | |
Upper McCord Creek Falls Hike | Easy | 2.0 | 400 | Moderate hike to a viewpoints and waterfall |
Beacon Rock Area
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Beacon Rock State Park | |||||
Beacon Rock Hike | Easy | 1.8 | 680 | Mile of cliffside stairways up popular landmark | |
Little Beacon Rock Loop Hike | Easy | 1.9 | 200 | Lazy loop featuring a rock garden | |
Hamilton Mountain Loop Hike | Moderate | 7.5 | 2100 | Two Waterfalls and views of the Gorge | |
Pool of the Winds Hike | Easy | 2.2 | 700 | Easy hike to see two falls on Hamilton Mountain | |
Hardy Ridge Loop Hike | Moderate | 8.1 | 2200 | Quiet loop hike through the forest up to a long ridgetop with great early summer wildflowers |
Table Mountain Complex | |||||
Aldrich Butte Hike | Moderate | 3.2 | 1070 | Easy hike to historic viewpoint | |
Aldrich Butte-Cedar Falls Loop Hike | Difficult | 5.8 | 1770 | Forgotten trails near Hamilton Creek | |
Fort Cascades Hike | Easy | 1.5 | 20 | Historic hike with restored displays | |
Fort Rains Hike | Easy | 1.6 | 40 | Flat hike on an historic right-of-way | |
Two Chiefs Trail Hike | Moderate | 7.8 | 1270 | Hike just below the massive cliffs of Table Mountain | |
Table Mountain from Aldrich Butte Trailhead Hike | Difficult | 8.0 | 3350 | Difficult hike to best views in Gorge | |
Table Mountain from Bonneville Hike | Difficult | 15.8 | 3350 | Difficult hike to best views in Gorge | |
Table Mountain Loop Hike | Difficult | 8.0 | 3350 | Heartbreak Ridge Loop | |
Gillette Lake Hike | Easy | 5.4 | 630 | Easy trail to green lake under power lines |
Eagle Creek Area
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Wahclella Falls Trailhead | |||||
Munra Point from Wahclella Hike | Difficult | 5.8 | 1870 | Fun scramble to a great 360 degree viewpoint | |
Wahclella Falls Hike | Easy | 2.0 | 200 | Easy, pretty hike to a beautiful waterfall |
Tooth Rock Trailhead | |||||
Dublin Lake Hike | Difficult | 13.8 | 3780 | Hike over a ridge to small, secluded lake | |
Tanner Creek Hike | Moderate | 12.2 | 1400 | Hike to a forgotten part of Tanner Creek above Wahclella Falls | |
Tanner Cutoff Loop Hike | Difficult | 14.4 | 3700 | Shorter hike for those that aren't ready for Tanner Butte | |
Tanner Butte Hike | Difficult | 18.0 | 4500 | Super long, strenuous day hike. Better as a backpack. | |
Tanner-Eagle Traverse Hike | Difficult | 23.6 | 4300 | Mega miles and mega scenery for the hard workers in the group | |
Tooth Rock Loop Hike | Easy | 1.8 | 220 | A great historical hike looking at two bygone eras of transportation | |
Wauna Point Hike | Moderate | 9.0 | 2800 | Moderate hike to great viewpoint of Bonneville Dam area | |
Wauna Viewpoint from Tooth Rock Hike | Moderate | 4.0 | 1050 | View to a lower viewpoint of Bonneville Dam |
Eagle Creek Trailhead | |||||
Buck Point Hike | Moderate | 1.8 | 570 | Quick hike to a viewpoint over Bridge of the Gods | |
Eagle-Benson Loop Hike | Difficult | 15.8 | 4260 | Almost forgotten loop hike | |
High Bridge Hike | Moderate | 6.4 | 480 | Waterfalls, cliffs and bridges | |
Punchbowl Falls Hike | Moderate | 3.8 | 500 | Cliffside hike to the most photographed waterfall in the area | |
Ruckel Ridge Loop Hike | Difficult | 9.0 | 3700 | The quintessential rough trail. NOT for beginners | |
Tunnel Falls Hike | Moderate | 12.0 | 1640 | Waterfall-rich trail to splendid walk-behind waterfall | |
Wahtum Lake via Eagle Creek Hike | Difficult | 26.5 | 5310 | Backpack option for Eagle Creek lovers | |
Wahtum Lake via Ruckel Creek Hike | Difficult | 13.4 | 3700 | Tough backpack option to Wahtum Lake | |
Wauna Viewpoint from Eagle Creek Hike | Moderate | 3.6 | 1050 | View to a lower viewpoint of Bonneville Dam |
Cascade Locks Trailhead | |||||
Cascade Locks West Loop Hike | Easy | 3.1 | 100 | Easy loop hike makes for a lazy afternoon |
Pacific Crest Trail Trailhead | |||||
Dry Creek Falls Hike | Easy | 4.4 | 710 | Moderate hike to pretty, historic falls | |
Rudolph Spur Loop Hike | Difficult | 10.4 | 3810 | Steep climb up an abandoned trail |
Waucoma Ridge Area
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Upper Mount Defiance and Rainy Lake Trailheads | |||||
Mount Defiance from Wahtum Lake Road Hike | Easy | 3.2 | 1145 | The short route to the Mt. Defiance summit | |
Bear Lake Hike | Easy | 2.6 | 480 | Up and down walk to a secluded lake | |
Waucoma Lakes Loop Hike | Difficult | 16.5 | 3170 | Visit four lakes on the north side of Waucoma Ridge and get some views, too! | |
Green Point Mountain Loop Hike | Moderate | 8.0 | 1275 | Easily graded hike to a ridge high point and two lakes |
Wahtum Lake Trailhead | |||||
Mud Lake Hike | Moderate | 7.4 | 1400 | Moderate hike to a secluded lake below Waucoma Ridge | |
Tomlike Mountain Hike | Moderate | 6.8 | 1565 | Take a user trail along the wide open Woolly Horn Ridge | |
Chinidere Mountain Hike | Moderate | 5.6 | 1140 | Wahtum Lake and views from Chinidere summit |
Starvation Creek Area
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Herman Creek Trailhead | |||||
Benson Plateau Loop Hike | Difficult | 16.2 | 4080 | Hike on the Pacific Crest Trail up to Benson Plateau | |
Casey Creek Loop Hike | Difficult | 11.3 | 3995 | Strenuous loop to high meadows and viewpoints on Nick Eaton Ridge | |
Herman Creek Pinnacles Hike | Easy | 5.0 | 1000 | Easy hike past a waterfall to an interesting basalt formation | |
Herman Creek-Wyeth Hike | Moderate | 10.8 | 2175 | Low level in and out hike using the easternmost section of the Gorge Trail | |
Indian Point Loop Hike | Moderate | 7.6 | 2800 | Loop hike to a prominent basalt pinnacle overlooking the Columbia | |
Nick Eaton Ridge Loop Hike | Difficult | 14.0 | 3840 | Longer hike with ridge meadows and nice views at the high point | |
Rainy Lake via Gorton Creek Trail Hike | Difficult | 23.0 | 5230 | Long ridge hike to a lake on Waucoma Ridge | |
Wahtum Lake via Herman Creek Hike | Difficult | 22.2 | 5070 | In and out day hike or backpack via the beautiful Herman Creek Trail | |
Wahtum Lake via Pacific Crest Trail Hike | Difficult | 33.8 | 6010 | Long in and out hike across the Benson Plateau to Wahtum Lake |
Wyeth Trailhead | |||||
North Lake Hike | Difficult | 12.8 | 4220 | A hike of many switchbacks to lush old growth and a high lake | |
Gorton Creek Falls Hike | Moderate | 1.2 | 150 | A wet creek scramble to a hidden waterfall |
Shellrock Mountain Trailhead | |||||
Shellrock Mountain Hike | Moderate | - | - |
Starvation Creek Trailhead | |||||
Defiance-Starvation Loop Hike | Difficult | 11.4 | 4850 | Popular loop for very tough summit | |
Historic Columbia River Highway to Viento Hike | Easy | - | - | ||
Lancaster Falls Hike | Easy | 1.8 | 160 | Easy hike to three waterfalls | |
Lower Starvation Loop Hike | Moderate | 3.0 | 1,280 | Short but sometimes steep loop with views and four waterfalls | |
Mount Defiance from Columbia River Hike | Difficult | 10.2 | 4840 | Strenuous hike to the highest point in the Gorge | |
Starvation Ridge Hike | Difficult | 6.4 | 3910 | Tough, steep hike on a rocky ridge with views |
Mitchell Point Trailhead | |||||
Mitchell Point Hike | Moderate | 2.6 | 1270 | Rustic path to a sweeping viewpoint with wildflower show in spring | |
Wygant Peak Hike | Moderate | 6.0 | 1200 | Forest trail past a series of fine viewpoints | |
Chetwoot Loop Hike | Moderate | 5.5 | 1000 | Little maintained trail past viewpoints and a creek |
Dog Mountain Area
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Dog Mountain Area | |||||
Wind Mountain Hike | Moderate | 3.0 | 1000 | Easy climb to historic vision quest site | |
Dog Mountain Hike | Difficult | 6.9 | 2800 | Popular and tough hike to 360 summit. Abundant May/June wildflowers | |
Dog Mountain Loop Hike | Difficult | 7.4 | 2800 | Longer hike to the top of Dog Mountain. Abundant May/June wildflowers | |
Augspurger Mountain Hike | Difficult | 12.6 | 4770 | Adventurous hike on little used trail to great Gorge viewpoint |
Rowena Area
Mark Hatfield West Trailhead | |||||
Mosier Twin Tunnels Hike | Moderate | 8.5 | 1000 | In and out hike with magnificent views through historic tunnels |
Rowena Crest Trailhead | |||||
Rowena Plateau Hike | Easy | 2.0 | 200 | Stroll though McCall Nature Preserve | |
McCall Point Hike | Moderate | 3.6 | 1070 | Moderate climb through wildflower meadows to pretty lookout |
Catherine Creek and Farther East
Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes |
Coyote Wall Area | |||||
Coyote Wall Hike | Moderate | 7.8 | 1775 | Hike up the rim of a spectacular syncline to enjoy views and wildflowers in spring | |
Labyrinth Loop Hike | Moderate | 5.8 | 1200 | Scenic loop with a pair of waterfalls and lots of flowers | |
Labyrinth Hike | Easy | 2.0 | 570 | Easy hike with two waterfalls and interesting rock formations |
Catherine Creek Trailhead | |||||
Catherine Creek Arch Loop Hike | Easy | 2.0 | 200 | Natural rock arch and wildflowers galore | |
Catherine Creek West Loop Hike | Easy | 2.5 | 700 | Northwest from trailhead | |
Catherine Creek Universal Access Hike | Easy | 1.2 | 50 | Paved trail overlooking the Columbia River | |
Catherine Creek to Coyote Wall Hike | Moderate | 8.2 | 1750 | Trail to Coyote Wall |
Lyle Area | |||||
Balfour-Klickitat Loop Hike | Easy | 0.7 | 115 | Short loop on a paved trail to a view over the Klickitat Gorge | |
Klickitat Trail: Lyle to Klickitat Hike | Moderate | 13.0 | 340 | One-way hike on a converted rail bed along the scenic Klickitat River | |
Klickitat Trail: Klickitat Mineral Springs Hike | Easy | 5.2 | 50 | Flat in and out hike along the Klickitat to mineral springs | |
Klickitat Trail: Swale Canyon Hike | Moderate | 15.0 | 1010 | One-way or in and out hikes through a remote valley at the southern end of the High Prairie plateau | |
Lyle Cherry Orchard Hike | Moderate | 4.2 | 1160 | Hike steeply uphill to an ancient orchard of cherry trees |
Columbia Hills Area | |||||
Horsethief Butte Hike | Easy | 2.1 | 250 | Easy hike and scramble through rocky outcrops to great views of the Columbia River | |
Stacker Butte-Oak Spring Hike | Moderate | 7.8 | 1535 | Hike up a road across blooming slopes to a windy summit, then take a spur to a hidden spring |
See more Columbia River Gorge hikes and destinations in our Columbia River Gorge hike index