Columbia River Gorge Hikes
From Portland 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 | 7.8 | 1400 | Newly incorporated trail loop in Western Gorge | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
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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 | |||||
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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 | |
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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 | |
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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 | |
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Triple Falls Hike | Moderate | 3.2 | 610 | Lush forest hike to a beautiful unique falls |
| Oneonta Gorge Trailhead | |||||
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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 | |
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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 | |||||
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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 | |||||
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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 | |
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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 | |
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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 | |
| Lower Greenleaf Falls 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 | |
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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 | |
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High Bridge Hike | Moderate | 6.4 | 480 | Waterfalls, cliffs and bridges |
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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 | |
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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 | |||||
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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 | |
| Wahtum Lake Trailhead | |||||
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Chinidere Mountain Hike | Moderate | 4.4 | 1140 | Moderate hike to scenic mountain summit |
| Mount Defiance from Wahtum Lake Road Hike | Moderate | 3.6 | 1140 | The easier, back way up Mount Defiance | |
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Mud Lake Hike | Moderate | 7.8 | 1180 | Moderate hike to a mostly ignored lake |
| Tomlike Mountain Hike | Moderate | 8.6 | 830 | An unofficial trail to a viewpoint | |
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 | 19.8 | 5090 | ||
| Herman Creek Pinnacles Hike | Easy | 5.0 | 1000 | Easy hike passed a waterfall to an interesting basalt formation | |
| Herman Creek-Wyeth Traverse Hike | Moderate | 5.0 | 1600 | Lazy low level hike on an isolated piece of the Gorge Trail | |
| Indian Point Loop Hike | Moderate | 7.6 | 2800 | One of the more popular hikes out of Herman Creek | |
| Nick Eaton Ridge Loop Hike | Difficult | 14.0 | 3840 | Longer hike, nice views at the high point | |
| North Lake Hike | Moderate | - | - | ||
| Rainy Lake via Gorton Creek Trail Hike | Difficult | 23.0 | 5230 | ||
| Wahtum Lake via Herman Creek Hike | Difficult | - | - | ||
| Wahtum Lake via Pacific Crest Trail Hike | Difficult | - | - | ||
| 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 | Very difficult climb to highest point in Gorge | |
| Starvation Ridge Hike | Difficult | 6.4 | 3910 | Toughest climb in the Columbia River Gorge | |
| Mitchell Point Trailhead | |||||
| Mitchell Point Hike | Moderate | 2.6 | 1270 | Rustic path to a sweeping viewpoint | |
| Wygant Peak Hike | Moderate | 6.0 | 1200 | Rustic path to 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 | |
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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 | |
Catherine Creek Area
| Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation Change | Notes | |
| Coyote Wall Trailhead | |||||
| Coyote Wall Long Loop Hike | Moderate | 9.0 | 1950 | Recently rediscovered trail network on WA side | |
| Coyote Wall Short Loop Hike | Moderate | 6.1 | 1530 | A shorter, yet more treacherous option | |
| Labyrinth Loop Hike | Moderate | 5.8 | 1200 | Scenic loop with a pair of waterfalls and lots of flowers | |
| Labyrinth Trailhead | |||||
| 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 | |||||
| Klickitat Rail Hike | Moderate | - | - | Trail over recently acquired railbed | |
| 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 | 1.0 | 50 | Easy hike through rocky outcrops to great views of the Columbia River | |
Rowena Area
| Mark Hatfield East Trailhead | |||||
| Mosier Twin Tunnels Hike | Easy | 1.4 | 160 | Family friendly, universally accessible hike 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 | |
See more Columbia River Gorge hikes and destinations in our Columbia River Gorge hike index