The Columbia River Gorge is an excellent place to explore when visiting Oregon. The Columbia Gorge is full of waterfalls and gorgeous views. The gorge is close to Portland, making it a perfect day trip from Portland. The Columbia River Gorge extends more than 100 miles east of Portland, along the Columbia River on both the Oregon and Washington sides. The Columbia Gorge is the largest national scenic area in the United States. As Oregonians, the Columbia River Gorge is the most beautiful part of the state, with all kinds of gorgeous scenery and things to do. The Gorge is a great area of Oregon for hikers, bikers, and outdoor enthustiasts. Even if you’re not that into hiking, driving along the Columbia River HIghway is one of the most scenic drives in the country and definitely one of the top things to do when visiting Portland! In our opinion, the Columbia Gorge has some of the best hikes near Portland. We’ve included a bunch of waterfall hikes because there are so many beautiful Oregon waterfalls to see. Here are some of the best Columbia Gorge hikes including must see Columbia River Gorge waterfalls, to do when you’re in the Pacific Northwest.
To make it easier for you, we have classifed the list of Columbia River Gorge hikes by hike difficulty: easy (under 3 miles), moderate (3-6 miles), and difficult (over 6 miles). Also, we have noted the dog friendly hikes and any hikes with waterfalls.
*There was a fire in the Gorge in 2017 and some of the trails in the Gorge are still closed from the Eagle Creek Fire damage. You can see trail closures on USDA
The Best Hikes in Arches National Park
The best Columbia River Gorge Hikes
Easy hikes in the Columbia Gorge
Bridal Veil – Bridal Veil, Oregon
A quick and easy hike to a two-tiered waterfall for beginners or families with small children.
- distance: .6 miles
- elevation gain: 70 feet
- pass needed? no
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: waterfall, families
Beacon Rock – Stevenson, Washington
An easy, straight-forward climb with wonderful views in all directions from the top
- distance: 1.8 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 680 feet
- pass needed: WA discover pass
- waterfall? no
- dog-friendly? yes
- Best for: great gorge views
Catherine Creek Arch Loop – Lyle, Washington
Located on the Washington side of the Columbia River, Catherine Creek is a great wildflower hike on the . Catherine Creek has the most wildflower diversity in the Columbia Gorge.
- distance: 1.9 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 325 feet
- pass needed: no
- waterfall? no
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: wildflowers
Eagle Creek to Punchbowl Falls – Cascade Locks, Oregon
A popular easy but beautiful hike to really appreciate what the columbia gorge has to offer. Eagle Creek Trail is part of the Pacific Crest Trail
- distance: 3.8 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 500 feet
- pass needed: NW Forest Pass
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: waterfalls, families
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Elowah Falls – Oregon
- distance: 1.4 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 280 feet
- pass needed: NW Forest Pass
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: beginners, waterfalls
*For a longer hike, combine Elowah Falls with Upper Mccord Creek Falls, for an additional 2.2 miles
Latourell Falls – Corbett, Oregon
Latourell falls hike is the closest hike to Portland and probably one of the prettiest waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge.
- distance: 2.4 miles roundtrip loop
- elevation gain: 520 feet
- pass needed?
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly?
- best for: beginners, families, waterfalls
Mosier Plateau Trail – Mosier, Oregon
A beautiful hike with a rewarding view at the top. During the spring, a great hike for wildflowers.
- distance: 3.5 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 600 feet
- pass needed: no
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: wildflowers, family
Multnomah Falls – Oregon
The most iconic waterfall in the Columbia Gorge and possibly all of Oregon. Multnomah Falls has 3 different falls and is the tallest waterfall in all of Oregon.
- distance: 2.6 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain:700 feet
- pass needed: no
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: families, if you’re short on time
*Because Multnomah Falls is so popular, we recommend starting before 9am, or hiking during the week. Know that everyday in summer is generally filled with people.
Photo by Matt Whitacre on Unsplash
Oneonta Gorge to Lower Oneonta Falls – Corbett, Oregon
Oneonta Gorge is one of the many wonders of the Columbia Gorge, however the creek is the trail. To reach the falls, you must walk up the creek.
- distance: 3.5 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 600 feet
- pass needed: no
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: waterfalls
Rowena Plateau Hike – Rowena, Oregon
Sweeping views of the gorge and open grasslands with arrowleaf balsamroot, bachelor’s button, and other fantastic flowers.
- distance: 3.5 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 600 feet
- pass needed: no
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: wildflowers, family
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Wahkeena falls – Oregon
A quick .25 mile to the waterfall but continue up to the viewpoint for gorgeous views of the gorge
- distance: 2.8 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 850 feet
- pass needed: no
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: quick hike, waterfalls
Moderate hikes in the Columbia Gorge
Angels Rest – Bridal Veil, Oregon
Angels rest hike is a steep winding trail to gorgeous views of the gorge
- distance: 5 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 1500 feet
- pass needed: no
- waterfall? no
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: beautiful view of the gorge
Crawford Oaks Loop – Centerville, Washington
A moderate hike with gorgeous wildflowers and views of Mt Hood and the gorge.
- distance: 7 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 900 feet
- pass needed: WA discover pass
- waterfall? no
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: wild flowers
Dry Creek Falls – Cascade Locks, Oregon
Dry Creek Falls plunges 74 feet over the wall. Right near the Bridge of Gods, dry creek falls is a fairly easy waterfall hike right along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
- distance: 4.4 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 700 feet
- pass needed: NW forest pass
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: waterfall, greenery
Gillette Lake – Washington
Enjoy some gorgeous forested area right in the Columbia Gorge and enjoy the blue-green Gillette Lake.
- distance: 5.4 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 648 feet
- pass needed: NW forest pass
- waterfall? no
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: forested area, gorgeous lake, and wildlife
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Hamilton Mountain – Stevenson, Washington
Waterfalls, cliffs, views and more. A part of Beacon Rock State park, Hamilton mountain loop is a difficult hike with 3 waterfalls and gorgeous views
- distance: 7.6 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 2100 feet
- pass needed: WA discover pass
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: waterfalls, views
Image by Brian Diehm from Pixabay
Labyrinth Hike – White Salmon, Washington
One of the best spring-time hikes in the gorge
- distance: 3.7 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 915 feet
- pass needed: no
- waterfall? no
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: wildflowers, scenic views
Memaloose Hills – Mosier, Oregon
Starts right along the Columbia River Highway and goes through forests, grass, and rolling hills, to great views of the river.
- distance: 5.2 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 905 feet
- pass needed: no
- waterfall? no
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: wildflowers
Starvation Creek Ridge Loop – Cascade Locks, Oregon
Hike by 3 waterfalls and a stunning viewpoint
- distance: 2.5 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 700 feet
- pass needed: no
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: scenic view, waterfalls
Tom McCall Nature Reserve – Rowena, Oregon
A great hike for familes, the hike is short, easy, scenic, and filled with flowers.
- distance: 3.25 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 1070 feet
- pass needed: no
- waterfall? no
- dog-friendly? no
- best for: wildflowers, good for younger kids
Triple Falls – Oregon
A moderate hike with 3 gorgeous waterfalls, including one you can walk behind.
- distance: 5 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 740 feet
- pass needed: no
- waterfall? yes
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: waterfalls, intermediate hikers
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Difficult hikes in the Columbia Gorge
Dog mountain – Stevenson, Washington
A popular hike with steep trails and great views. Even though it’s relatively short, it’s an intense hike
- distance: 6.9 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 2820 feet
- pass needed: NW Forest Pass
- waterfall? no
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: wildflowers, views of the gorge
*Permits are required on Saturdays & Sundays from March 31 – July 1 for each individual hiker. $5/vehicle/day at Dog Mountain Trailhead
Mount Defiance – Cascade Locks, Oregon
Mount Defiance is one of the hardest hikes in the Columbia River gorge area.
- distance: 12.2 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 4990 feet
- pass needed: NW Forest Pass
- waterfall? no
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: mountain views
Munra Point – Cascade Locks, Oregon
A steep and sometimes difficult climb to enjoy the incredible views at the top.
- distance: 6 miles roundtrip
- elevation gain: 2270 feet
- pass needed:
- waterfall? no
- dog-friendly? yes
- best for: mountain views, wildflowers
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Tips for hiking in Oregon
- We get a lot of rain in Oregon (especially Oct-May). Even if the weather is predicting sun, be prepared for rain.
- Wear good hiking boots
- If you want to see waterfalls, they are better in the winter/spring, when there has been more rain.
Other things to do and see in the Columbia Gorge
- Vista House at Crown Point
- Wine tasting
- Do the Fruit Loop
- Hood River Lavendar Farm
- Try some breweries in Hood River
- Rowena Crest Viewpoint
- Try windsurfing in Hood River, the windsurfing capital of the world
Where to stay in the Columbia Gorge
Hotel Stevenson – located in Stevenson, Washington, perfect for a romantic weekend, for wine lovers, or to enjoy the outdoors.
Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa – a historic manor-like boutique hotel in Hood River, Oregon, one of the best hotels in the Gorge.
Westcliff Lodge – in Hood River, Oregon, on 5 acres of filled with pine trees and wildflowers overlooking the Columbia River.
How to get around the Columbia Gorge
The Columbia Gorge is an easy drive from Portland, taking only 30 minutes to the closest hike, Latourell Falls. If you don’t have a car, you can take the Gorge Express, which runs on the Oregon side all the way to Hood River. During the summer months (May-October), there is a west end transit (WET) bus that you can take from Vancouver, Washington to the Dog Mountain Trailhead.
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