I scooted my butt closer towards the edge of the cliff and leaned over to see how far the drop was. Yup! I would definitely die if I fell from here. I firmly gripped the rock beneath me before I could enjoy the gorgeous views of the Columbia River Gorge.
UPDATE: Some of the trails in the Gorge are still closed from the Eagle Creek Fire damage. See more on USDA.
Distance: 4.8 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1450 Feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Seasons: Year Round
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.5602273,-122.1748379
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Angel’s Rest is one of the most popular hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. The trailhead is only 30 minutes from Portland making it easy for everyone in the city to get to.
The hike is relatively short with a moderate ascent. Along the way, you’ll get an overhead view of Coopey Falls through the trees, and a small detour will take you to Upper Coopey Falls.
The top is an exposed bluff that gives you 270-degree panoramic views of Beacon Rock, Silver Star Mountains, and all the way down the gorge. It’s also a unique viewpoint of the river since it gets you so close to it.
If you want a longer hike, continue to Devil’s Rest. There aren’t any views from Devil’s rest since it’s overgrown but there are some views past it. It’s a great way to extend the hike to a 10.9-mile loop.
DIRECTIONS
From Portland, take I-84E to exit 28. Continue onto E Bridal Veil Rd, which ends at Historic Columbia River Hwy. At the junction, you will see the parking lot to your right. Turn right onto Historic Columbia River Hwy and park. The trailhead starts on the other side of the street.
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR YOUR HIKE
- The top gives you amazing views but has very exposed cliffsides. If you have kids, keep a close eye on them. And be sure you always watch where you’re stepping.
- Even though it’s a short hike, bring plenty of water.
- Bring snacks with you to enjoy while you’re at the top.
WHAT TO PACK
- Water & Snacks
- Shoes with good traction (His + Hers)
- Camera (5D Mark III) + Lenses (35mm + 70-200mm)
- Insta360 Cam for iPhone
- Adventure Photographer’s Backpack
OUTFIT (HERS)
Airism Bra Racerback // Arcteryx Fleece // Hiking Pants // Hiking Boots // Topo Klettersack (in Saffron)
OUTFIT (HIS)
Mid Layer // Capilene Daily Tee // Hiking Pants // Hiking Boots // Adventure Photographer’s Backpack
WHAT’S NEARBY
- Bridal Veil Falls (0.6 mi / 1 min away)
- Latourell Falls (2.8 miles / 6 min away)
- Multnomah Falls (3.1 miles / 7 min away)
- Oneonta Gorge Waterfall Hike (5.3 miles / 12 min away)
- Elowah Falls Hike (9.3 miles / 20 min away)
MORE RESOURCES
DID YOU ENJOY THE POST? PIN IT FOR LATER
SEE MORE HIKING GUIDES NEAR PORTLAND
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MISERY RIDGE TRAIL IN SMITH ROCK
BEST WILDFLOWER HIKES NEAR PORTLAND
“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
ESTHER + JACOB
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 50 travel blogs in the world. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They move to a new city every year and currently live in Portland, Oregon.
What a gorgeous view! I miss the PNW, but I know I’ve probably said that on a dozen of your different posts about all the natural beauty out there.
Thank you, Kristin! That is one of the biggest perks of living in Portland. We’ll probably miss that the most. :)
Oh, my goodness, so beautiful! I wish it was a bit closer (I’m in Europe ;-))
I love hikes like that – a lot of forest with stunning views, rocks, canyons, and rivers.
Happy hiking!
Ioanna
A Woman Afoot
Thank you, Ioanna. We love the hiking around here. I hope you get to visit and check out the hikes in Oregon too. Are there a lot of similar hikes where you live?