Best Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge has hikes of all sorts including rushing waterfall hikes, hikes through wildflowers, and trails to epic viewpoints. Only a short drive from Portland, this scenic area is one of Oregon’s most popular hiking destinations. Read below for everything you need to know about the best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, including what permits you need, when to visit, and which hikes are easy or more difficult.

Columbia River Gorge Trailhead Parking Passes

Some trailheads on this list require a parking pass. Washington Parks require a Discover Pass, and many Oregon trailheads require a Northwest Forest or America the Beautiful Pass. Read below for a breakdown of the passes that may be needed at Oregon and Washington trails.

• Discover Pass– Required in many Washington State Parks and Recreation Areas. $35 annually or $11.50 for one day. NOT covered by the America the Beautiful Pass. Buy here
• Northwest Forest Pass– All Forest Service Recreation Sites in Oregon and Washington. $30 annually or $5 for one day. Buy here
• America the Beautiful Pass– Also commonly called the National Parks Pass, covers all National Parks and many other day-use areas. $80 annually. Buy here

Which Pass Do I Need?

If you hike a lot and live nearby, I recommend buying the America the Beautiful Pass and the Discover Pass. This gives you access to everything covered by the Northwest Forest Pass, as well as Washington State Parks, and any National Parks. If you don’t spend much time in Washington or at National Parks, it may benefit you to only buy the Northwest Forest Pass.

Regardless of what you pick always display your pass in your car at required trailheads. The fines for not having a pass are steep, and the money only benefits the lands you are visiting!

Best Waterfall Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

Latourell Falls Loop Trail

• Length: 2.0 miles
• Elevation Gain: 639 feet
• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass

Latourell Falls is an easy or moderate loop depending on how far you want to hike. There are not one, but two spectacular waterfalls on this Columbia River Gorge Hike, making it one of the best! The first waterfall, Lower Latourell Falls, is only a quarter of a mile from the trailhead on a paved path, accessible for most people.

Cross the bridge over Latourell Falls Creek, to continue to Upper Latourell Falls. Upper Latourell Falls is an impressive two-tiered falls that you can walk behind via a small path. You can also cross the bridge in front of the falls to feel the spray! Keep hiking onward and you will travel back down to the trailhead and parking lot.

Read More: Latourell Falls Loop

Bridal Veil Falls

• Length: 0.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 78 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Waterfall Corridor Permit

Bridal Veil Falls is a short trail in the Columbia River Gorge but with an amazing payoff. There is a lot of downhill to the falls but most people should find it a doable hike. The two-tiered falls flow right under the Historic Columbia River Highway so you may see it on your drive-in.

There is another waterfall only 1 mile West of Bridal Veil Falls called Shepperd’s Dell Falls close to the road. You can stop here for another quick bonus waterfall view.

Wahkeena Falls

• Length: 0.5 miles
• Elevation Gain:  feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Waterfall Corridor Permit

Similar to Bridal Veil Falls, this waterfall trail in the Columbia River Gorge is only half a mile round trip to Wahkeena Falls. You can also see Wahkeena Falls, flowing down Wahkeena Creek only a few steps from the parking lot.

Multnomah Falls Hike

• Length: 2.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 810 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Waterfall Corridor Permit or Multnomah Falls Permit

Multnomah Falls is widely considered the best waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge (and all of Oregon)! It is the tallest waterfall in Oregon at 620 feet tall. It is barely a quarter of a mile to reach the base of the falls, but you can also hike to the top of the falls for a 2.4-mile round-trip hike.

The beauty of the falls means it’s a very popular spot! To visit Multnomah Falls in Summer you need a Multnomah Falls Timed Use Permit. This allows you to get to the falls via Exit 31. This permit costs $2 and is needed between Memorial and Labor Day from 9 AM to 6 PM. If you do not obtain a permit, you can still visit before 9 AM, after 6 PM, or take the Sasquatch Shuttle- Multnomah Falls Express

Read More: Waterfall Hikes Near Portland

Multnomah-Wahkeena Falls Loop Trail

• Length: 5.1 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1640 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Waterfall Corridor Permit or Multnomah Falls Permit

To combine Wahkeena Falls and Multnomah Falls you can do a full 5-mile loop trail that passes 5 waterfalls! This goes past Ecola Falls, Weisendanger Falls, Fairy Falls, Multnomah Falls, and Wahkeena Falls! Start this trail from either the Wahkeena Falls lot or the Multnomah Falls lot.

Horsetail and Ponytail Falls

• Length: 0.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 331 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Waterfall Corridor Permit

Horsetail and Ponytail Falls is the best waterfall hike in the Columbia River Gorge to see a lot on a short trail! As soon as you park at the trailhead you will see Horsetail Falls thundering across from the road. You can walk right down to the base of the falls!

Half a mile up is Ponytail Falls (also called Upper Horsetail Falls). This waterfall is stunning, and you can even hike right behind it! Only another quarter of a mile past Ponytail Falls there is a lookout down the Columbia River Gorge.

Elowah Falls Trail

• Length: 2.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 705 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass

Elowah and Upper McCord Creek Falls trail is another of the best Columbia River Gorge hikes! It is 3/4 of a mile to Elowah Falls and not too difficult. For more of a challenge, you can also hike to Upper McCord Creek Falls to gain another few hundred feet of elevation. Be careful, as this part of the trail does have steep drop-offs!

Wahclella Falls Trail

• Length: 1.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 223 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass

Wahclella Falls Trail is one of the best waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, and my personal favorite! This easy hike follows Tanner Creek through a majestic canyon. In the rainy season, many waterfalls flow over the canyon walls, making for a truly magical hike. The waterfall at the end thunders down into a pool for a picture-perfect view the whole family can access and enjoy!

Tunnel Falls

• Length: 12 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass

Tunnel Falls is one of the best and most unique waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge! You can walk right behind this waterfall through a tunnel covered in ferns, feeling like something out of Jurassic Park.

This is a long trail with many steep drop-offs, so may not be suitable for young children or people who are not good with heights. There are several other smaller waterfalls visible on the way to Tunnel Falls, and if you walk just a little further you can see Twister Falls!

This trail starts at Eagle Creek trailhead which fills up fast, but there is more parking a quarter of a mile from the trailhead. This is a popular trail for break-ins, so make sure not to leave anything valuable in your car!

Dry Creek Falls

• Length: 4.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 885 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass

Dry Creek Falls Trail leads to a beautiful waterfall through a forested trail. Make sure to use a map or the Alltrails GPS, as Google Maps can sometimes lead you to the wrong trail. The majority of this trail is forested, but the payoff at the end is worth it! Dry Creek Falls is a site to see, surrounded by basalt on either side. There is a fairly large area around the falls as well, making this a great spot for lunch on your hike.

Starvation Creek, Lancaster, and Hole-in-the-Wall Falls

• Length: 2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 216 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass

This trail is one of the best and most underrated Columbia River Gorge waterfall trails in my opinion! Here you can see 4 spectacular waterfalls in only 2 miles round trip! Park at Starvation Creek trailhead and hike just a quarter of a mile to see Starvation Creek Falls.

After seeing Starvation Creek Falls, head back to the parking lot and continue on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. This is also a popular spot for bicyclists. Half a mile in you will see Cabin Creek Falls and at 0.7 miles is Hole in the Wall Falls! You can turn around here, or hike up the hill to see Lancaster Falls.

Columbia River Gorge Hikes with Viewpoints

Angel’s Rest Trail

• Length: 4.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1476 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Waterfall Corridor Permit

Angel’s Rest has one of the best views down the Columbia River Gorge! Half a mile into the trail is a view of Coopey Falls. After one mile of hiking, you will see the summit of Angel’s Rest. When you reach the summit there is a bit of a scramble and some steep drop-offs, so watch your step. This may not be the best trail for people uncomfortable with cliffs.

For a longer trail, extend your hike to Devil’s Rest.

Beacon Rock Trail

• Length: 1.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 574 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: Discover Pass

Beacon Rock Trail is one of the most popular trails in the Columbia River Gorge and for good reason! It is a relatively short trail with some amazing views down the Columbia River Gorge. This trail is mostly comprised of boardwalk switchbacks that pave the way up Beacon Rock, which is the core of an ancient volcano.

To beat the crowds arrive early or hike during the week. Beacon Rock makes for a great sunrise hike. The view down the Gorge is unbeatable!

Read More: Sunrise Spots Near Portland

Hamilton Mountain Trail

• Length: 8.1 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2286 feet
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permit: Discover Pass

Hamilton Mountain is a long trail with a couple of exceptional viewpoints along the way. A little over a mile in the trail is Upper Rodney Falls, a beautiful, tall waterfall that has a bridge across it. 2.3 miles along the trail there is a short spur to Little Hamilton Mountain. This is one of the best views along the trail, making it a good turnaround point if you don’t want to hike the entire 8 miles.

The actual summit of Hamilton Mountain is 3.3 miles from the trailhead. There is not a view at the summit, so if you want a view, continue to the saddle of the mountain halfway along the trail. This has a beautiful view out over the foothills and Columbia River Gorge. After the saddle take the Equestrian and Hardy Creek Trails down, before linking back up with the trail a bit past Rodney Falls.

Coyote Wall Loop Trail

• Length: 6.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,624 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Parking & Permits: No permit

For a hike with views the whole way, head down to Hood River to Coyote Wall Loop. You will have to cross the Hood River Bridge, but it is only a $2 fee per crossing for a passenger car. This trail has several intersecting paths that you can choose to lengthen or shorten your hike. Watch out for the mountain bikes that also share this trail. It is extra important to leash your dog on this trail as it is a bird nesting area for part of the year.

Read More: Hikes Near Hood River

Dog Mountain Trail

• Length: 6.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Dogs Allowed: Yes
• Parking & Permits: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass

A Columbia River Gorge hike list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Dog Mountain! This is known for being a challenging but the best wildflower hike in the Pacific Northwest! Due to its popularity, a permit is now required to hike this trail on the weekends from April 23 to June 12 during peak wildflower season.

Columbia River Gorge Wildflower Hikes

There are many other wildflower hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. In April and May, you can see yellow and purple wildflowers on hikes near the east side of the Gorge. Below are just a few of the best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge to see wildflowers

• Tom McCall Point Trail– 4.8 miles, 1309 feet, Moderate– This is my favorite wildflower hike in the Columbia River Gorge. It starts at Rowena Crest Viewpoint and ascends to a magnificent view of Mount Hood
• Rowena Plateau– 2 miles, 278 feet, Easy– Rowena Plateau is an easier flat trail crisscrossing the plateau with wildflowers and views of the Gorge all around
• Lyle Cherry Orchard– 5 miles, 1200 feet, Moderate– This trail has both great views of the Columbia River Gorge and fields of lupine and yellow balsamroot if you time it right!
• Mosier Plateau– 2.8 miles, 728 feet, Moderate- This trail has a pretty waterfall not far into the hike, followed by a great view of the Columbia River Gorge at the top! After your hike stop at the nearby coffee shop in Mosier!

Read More: Wildflower Hikes in Oregon & Washington

Columbia River Gorge Hikes by Difficulty

Below are most of the hikes mentioned above, plus a few more, sorted by easy, moderate, and difficult. Use this if you are looking for easy hikes in the Columbia River Gorge!

Easy Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

• Latourell Falls Loop
• Bridal Veil Falls
• Wahkeena Falls
• Horsetail & Ponytail Falls Trail
• Wahclella Falls Trail
• Dry Creek Falls Trail
• Rowena Plateau Trail

Moderate Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

• Multnomah Falls Trail
• Angel’s Rest Hike
• Beacon Rock Trail
• Coyote Wall Butte Loop
• Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail
• Tom McCall Point Trail

Difficult Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

• Hamilton Mountain Loop
• Dog Mountain Trail
• Tunnel Falls Trail
• Devil’s Rest Trail

When to Visit the Gorge

Spring is the best time to visit the Columbia River Gorge in my opinion. In Spring, the waterfalls will be flowing with snowmelt and wildflowers will start popping up! Entry permits are not needed until late May, so visit in March or April with fewer restrictions.

If you can’t visit in Spring, Fall is also a good time to visit the Columbia River Gorge. Wait until the rain starts and the rivers and waterfalls are flowing again! There is also a decent amount of fall foliage that can be found in the Columbia River Gorge.

Of course, the Gorge is beautiful in all weather, and Summer and Winter also allow for good hiking in the Gorge. In summer, there are more crowds, and the waterfalls may not be quite as full, but the weather is warm and the Gorge is beautiful when it is green and alive!

In Winter, always check trail and weather conditions! There are enough low-elevation trails that you can hike even when the mountains are covered in snow. Be prepared for strong winds and the possibility of snow, but the waterfalls are just as beautiful in the winter!

What to Wear Hiking in the Columbia River Gorge

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

• Rain Jacket– Anytime you are visiting a waterfall it is a great idea to bring a rain jacket. At peak flow, many of these waterfalls create a lot of mist!- My Rain Jacket
• Moisture Wicking Shirts- Any shirt will do, but the best hiking shirts are made of natural or synthetic moisture-wicking material that is breathable and dries quickly- Affordable Hiking Shirt
• Hiking Pants or Leggings– Wear long hiking leggings with socks to avoid ticks- My Favorite Hiking Leggings
• Flannel or Fleece– It is always a good idea to hike in layers. I usually wear a flannel or a fleece I can shed if it warms up- Hiking Midlayer
• Heavy Coat– If you are hiking in the winter it is a good idea to bring a packable heavy coat.-  My Favorite Packable Jacket
• Backpack– If you are going to be doing a lot of hiking, be sure to wear a good backpack! A proper daypack made for hiking can make all the difference- Recommended Osprey Day Pack
• Hat– I always bring both a beanie hat for warmth and a baseball cap to keep ticks away when hiking
• Hiking Boots– Don’t forget hiking boots if you are planning on hiking a lot. Good traction and ankle support will save your feet on long hikes. Danner and Merrell have great boots at different price points.
• Thick Socks–  If you do wear boots, make sure to bring good socks to reduce the risk of blisters!- My Favorite Hiking Socks
• Microspikes– Hiking in winter means bringing microspikes along in case the trail is icy. Always look up conditions and read trail reviews before you go- Microspikes

You May Also Like

• Waterfall Hikes Near Portland
• Wildflower Hikes in Oregon & Washington
• Sunrise Spots Near Portland
• Day Trips From Portland

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