The Columbia River Gorge is full of amazing hikes, waterfalls, and views. When we have any free time, we tend to head out to the Gorge. It’s our favorite area to explore in Oregon since it’s such an easy and scenic drive from Portland. If you’re trying to figure out your next hike to do, here’s a list of the best stops and why they made our list.
Due to fires and natural disasters, it’s always a good idea to check the USDA site to see which trails are currently open.
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Last Updated: October 26, 2022
Best Easy Hikes
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.538804, -122.217923, map
Distance: 2.4 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 520 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Seasons: Year Round (except during winter storms)
What You’ll See: You’ll find two waterfalls here. The first is just a short walk from the parking lot, the second can be found up the trail. We loved seeing this waterfall at different times of the year. If you go during the winter, be sure you have crampons.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.63060, -121.95382, map
Distance: 2 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 250 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Seasons: Year Round
What You’ll See: This is one of our favorite hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. You’ll see two waterfalls, including multiple viewpoints of Wahclella Falls.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.577617, -122.117242, map
Distance: 2.4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 870 ft
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Seasons: Year Round
What You’ll See: Oregon’s most recognizable waterfall. It is the tallest in the state and often crowded. You can see the falls with no effort from the bottom, or do the hike to see more of the waterfall. During the summer, timed use permits are required.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.590247, -122.068229, map
Distance: 0.8 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: 360 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Seasons: Year Round
What You’ll See: This nice and easy hike takes you to a waterfall that has a trail all the way behind it, which makes it unique from the others.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.600294, -122.111986, map
Distance: 1 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 50 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Seasons: Year Round
What You’ll See: Hike to orchards, enjoy a beach along the gorge, and even get a glimpse of Multnomah Falls from across the water.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.600294, -122.111986, map
Distance: 1 mile
Elevation Gain: 100 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Seasons: Year Round
What You’ll See: Very picturesque road and great views of the gorge. During the season, it’s also a great spot to see wildflowers.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.612425, -122.004528, map
Distance: 1.4 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: 280 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Seasons: Year Round
What You’ll See: Moss, fern, and a beautiful waterfall in an amphitheater.
Best Moderate Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.5602273, -122.1748379, map
Distance: 4.8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1450 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Seasons: Year Round
What You’ll See: An exposed bluff that gives you 270-degree panoramic views.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.5889484, -122.0768179, map
Distance: 1 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: 0 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Seasons: August to October
What You’ll See: A very popular hike where you climb over a log jam and wade (or swim) through water to reach this waterfall. Great on hot days!
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.58849, -122.0806787, map
Distance: 3.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 610 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Seasons: Year Round
What You’ll See: Much less crowded and you get to see a triple waterfall. You can also see Middle Oneonta and Upper Oneonta Falls along the way.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.628520, -122.022228, map
Distance: 1.8 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: 680 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Seasons: Year Round
What You’ll See: This is one of the most prominent geological features in te gorge. The 848-foot monolith was once the core of a volcano.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.58852,-122.1809287, map
Distance: 7.1 mi loop
Elevation Gain: 1350 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Seasons: Year Round but Lower Part of the loop is closed Feb 1 to July 15
What You’ll See: Gorgeous views, rocky crags, steams and two waterfalls.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.6999519,-121.4055847, map
Distance: 7.8 miles lollipop loop
Elevation Gain: 1,640 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Seasons: Year Round
What You’ll See: See expansive views, wildflowers in the spring, and steep walls and drop-offs.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.636729, -121.919665, map
Distance: 12 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,775 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Seasons: Year Round
What You’ll See: Multiple waterfalls, tall basalt cliffs, bridges over beautiful streams, and unique geological formations.
Difficult Hikes + Backpacking in the Gorge
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.636729, -121.919665, map
Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2,270 ft
Difficulty: Difficult, Unmaintained Trail
Seasons: Year Round but hazardous when wet
What You’ll See: A dramatic ridge and beautiful views of the gorge. There was quite a bit of scrambling on this hike.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.6367682, -121.9217929, map
Distance: 26.5 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 5,310 ft
Difficulty: Difficult
Seasons: Year Round
What You’ll See: See waterfalls, basalt columns, streams, and a beautiful lake. There are campgrounds in Eagle Creek but they are currently closed for the season.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.65032, -121.9360787, map
Distance: 15.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 4,320 ft
Difficulty: Difficult
Seasons: April to October
What You’ll See: Dip your feet in Gilette Lake, enjoy Greenleaf Falls, see Wauna Point, and hike a portion of the PCT.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.6260037, -121.7610187, map
Distance: 16.5 miles loop
Elevation Gain: 4,737 ft
Difficulty: Difficult
Seasons: Summer and Fall
What You’ll See: Visit four lakes along the Waucoma Ridge and enjoy the amazing views.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.5902456, -122.0703989, map
Distance: 10 miles loop
Elevation Gain: 3,000 ft
Difficulty: Difficult
Seasons: April to October
What You’ll See: Amazing rock structures, including an arch, a beautiful backbone, and more.
Trailhead Coordinates: 45.5789337, -122.1205987, map
Distance: 14.4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 4,055 ft
Difficulty: Difficult
Seasons: April to November
What You’ll See: See iconic waterfalls then end with an amazing 360-degree view.
Map of the Columbia River Gorge
More Easy Hikes You Can Add On
- Catherine Creek State Park, Washington – 90 species of wildflowers between Feb and July
- She Who Watches – guided tours to see petroglyph/pictograph that is run twice a week in April to October (Fri and Sat 10 AM)
- Bridal Veil Falls – 120 ft cascading falls – not our favorite waterfall/hike, but it’s close to many of the others
- The Hood River Spit – popular beach for windsurfers
- Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint – see Vista House and Beacon Rock from here
- Gibbons Creek Wildlife Art Trail, Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge – easy, kid-friendly, lots of wildlife
- Horsetail Falls – a waterfall right along the road
- Little Beacon Rock Loop hike – see Beacon Rock’s much smaller and older neighbor
- Pool of the Winds Hike – easy hike to see two waterfalls
- Eagle Creek Overlook Hike – get views of the Bonneville Dam
Essential Tips for Hiking in Oregon
- Waterfalls are fuller during winter, but the weather is also rainier. Early summer or fall is best since you might get decent weather and the waterfalls aren’t a trickle, otherwise, don’t forget your rain jackets!
- Solid hiking shoes are really helpful. These waterproof ones are our go-to year-round.
- In the winter, the trails can be iced over, so hike with crampons.
- There are commonly landslides or fires and sometimes trails are closed. Check this site for current closures.
- This is our go-to adventure camera backpack. It’s water-resistant so it’s good for light rain and mist from the waterfalls, but you can easily throw on a rainfly when you head more protection.
- If you’re taking photos, don’t forget a waterproof casing or cover to protect your camera. Even if it’s not raining, many of the waterfalls have a ton of mist. It also helps to have a tripod and ND filters if you’re hoping to shoot waterfalls.
Best Places to Stay in the Columbia River Gorge
Which of these Oregon hikes have you done? Any hikes we should add?
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“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 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Portland Oregon.
