If you’re traveling to Portland or Vancouver (or if you live here and are looking for weekend adventures!), the Columbia River Gorge is the closest hiking mecca. The gorge divides Oregon from Washington state and offers dozens of hiking trails within 30 minutes to 1.5 hours’ drive from Portland.
The gorge is an all-seasons hiking paradise. In spring, the high meadows fill with bright yellow balsamroot and sprays of other wildflowers. In summer, cool waterfall canyons offer shade from the heat. In fall, the trees along the Columbia River turn golden and salmon return from the ocean to spawn in the streams. In winter, the waterfalls and moss are at their best.
In today’s post, I’ll cover the 10 top hikes in the Columbia River Gorge to help you get started. My recommendations range from easy to moderate difficulty, and they showcase the gorge’s different ecosystems. These selections are accessible to any fairly fit person, and they don’t require overnight backpacking or special equipment. A few are pretty steep, so I’ve flagged those for anyone who prefers more gradual trails.
You may have heard that many Columbia River Gorge hikes on the Oregon side were devastated by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. That’s true, but Bryan and I have been hiking all over the gorge as the trails reopened, and these hike rankings take the fire damage into account. The photos offer a window into the fire recovery progress.
So, what are the top 10 hikes in the Columbia River Gorge? Here are my top picks:
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Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls
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Hamilton Mountain
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Multnomah – Wahkeena Loop
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Dog Mountain
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Wahclella Falls
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Coyote Wall
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Beacon Rock
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Triple Falls
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Latourell Falls
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Cape Horn
Check out the table below for a quick reference guide to the key hike attributes, and read on for the highlights of each.
Wildfire Damage in the Columbia River Gorge
You’ll notice the “fire damage” field in the table shows four hikes in the burn zone from the Eagle Creek Fire. Before we dive in, here’s a bit more context on the fire.
Bryan and I were roadtripping up the northern California and southern Oregon coast in September 2017, the week the fire started. It was one of those (sadly increasingly common) Septembers when it seemed everything in the west was on fire. Driving through Crescent City, California, the smoke pressed in around our car like we were moving through a steam pipe. We could hardly see the storefronts along the side of the road. It was like a scene from an apocalyptic movie.
The air quality index map showed smoke all the way up the coast to Washington, but there was a gloriously green swath around Portland.
“Let’s go to Portland,” Bryan suggested, squinting through the smoke.
So we canceled our reservations and hiking plans on the coast and headed inland, making no stops. And for a glorious evening, all seemed well.
We awoke in Portland to a dusting of ash and a red fire sun. That’s when we learned about the Eagle Creek Fire. The smoke from the fire had now blown into Portland.
The fire began on the Eagle Creek Trail itself (#1 in our top hikes list). It burned nearly 50,000 acres on the Oregon side of the gorge.
The wildfire damage is still striking on some trails several years later, but the understory is coming back. Bigleaf maples, moss, and ferns have begun to regrow. The photo below shows some of the haunting beauty in the burn zone. Foxglove wildflowers bloom in a new meadow under burned tree trunks, framing a view across the river to the unburned forests on the Washington side.
Permits and Parking in the Columbia River Gorge
Since the Columbia River Gorge divides Washington and Oregon, there are top hikes on both sides of the river. This top 10 list is exactly split, with five hikes on the Washington side and five on the Oregon side. Because of the two jurisdictions, you’ll need two different types of parking passes.
For Washington, the most useful pass is the Discover Pass. It allows access to a variety of state recreation lands. At $30/year (as of 2022), if you’re reasonably active, it’s a much better deal to buy an annual pass than to pay a day-use fee each time you go (the day-use fees are typically $10/day).
On the Oregon side, you can usually get by with a federal recreation pass—either the America the Beautiful Pass ($80) or a NW Forest Pass ($30). There’s a different pass for Oregon state parks, but it doesn’t apply to any of these hikes.
I’d recommend the America the Beautiful pass instead of the NW Forest Pass, even though it’s more expensive. It’ll get you in anywhere the NW Forest Pass would, but it also covers admission to national parks and national wildlife refuges. The best pass will differ for everyone depending on your plans for the year, though. If you’ll be sticking to the national forests, the NW Forest Pass will be just fine.
Some of these hikes require additional permits because they’re very popular and get congested in the peak season. Where that applies, I’ve included specifics in the hike spotlights below, explaining how to get the right permit.
Aside from hikes that require special permits, the Columbia River Gorge in general is a popular destination. It begins just 30 minutes’ drive east of the Portland-Vancouver metro area, so it’s a top weekend destination for both locals and tourists. For the best shot at parking and to avoid crowds, go at off-peak times if you can (weekdays, early mornings, evenings).
So, now for the highlights of each of the 10 top hikes of the Columbia River Gorge!
#1. Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls
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Oregon side
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11.9 miles, gradual
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Parking: America the Beautiful pass, Northwest Forest pass, or pay for parking on site
“There are waterfalls everywhere!” said my mom, as we took our first steps along the Eagle Creek trail.
Water dripped from the moss clinging to the cliff along the trail. Larger cascades tumbled down the cliff face at the trail’s edge, the mist splashing our ankles as we walked by. Then came a waterfall we had to walk right through. We hadn’t even gotten to any of the named waterfalls yet.
The Eagle Creek trail is cut into the cliff wall of a sheer canyon. Eagle Creek rushes along the canyon floor, and the succession of waterfalls tumble down the cliffs into the creek below. The trail is scary in places (and occasionally mildly terrifying), because the trail ledge is sometimes narrow. There aren’t any railings, but metal cables are bolted into the cliff face as handholds. The photo below shows my mom navigating the cliffside cables.
The dramatic topography of the canyon combined with the waterfall wonderland make this the top hike in the Columbia River Gorge from my perspective. The trail is an out-and-back, so you can hike as far as you’d like before turning around. If you have time, I’d recommend hiking in 6 miles to reach Tunnel Falls. The trail passes right behind the falls, through a tunnel carved out of the cliff!
Example cable section on the cliffside Eagle Creek trailAlthough the hike is about 12 miles round-trip, the Eagle Creek trail is much more gradual than a typical hike. My mom and I still felt energetic at the end when we got back to our car. On the way in, the trail slopes gradually uphill as it moves upstream through the canyon, so the way back is all downhill.
You can go in summer, but it’s best to do this hike in the spring or fall, when the waterfalls are at their best and the canyon is lush. If you do go in summer, I’d recommend the shorter Eagle Creek to Punch Bowl Falls trail. It travels down into the canyon, where you can wade in Eagle Creek. A great respite on a hot day!
For more on the Eagle Creek hike, check out our Eagle Creek blog post.
#2. Hamilton Mountain
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Washington side
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6.4 miles, steep
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Parking: Discover Pass, or pay for parking on site
Most Columbia River Gorge hikes stand out for either their waterfalls or their views. Hamilton Mountain rivals the top hikes in both categories, earning it the #2 all-around spot in my book.
While Hamilton Mountain has top waterfalls and an overlook of the gorge, this isn’t a hike where the destinations overshadow the trail itself. The lush fir forest teems with moss and ferns, fully intact and unaffected by the fire on the other side of the river.
The hike’s showcase waterfalls are Rodney Falls and the Pool of the Winds, which sounds like something out of Lord of the Rings.
The main trail goes right under Rodney Falls, so you can’t miss it, but look out for the side trail leading to the Pool of the Winds. The side trail leads to a viewpoint above Rodney Falls, where a blast of waterfall mist gushes from a gash in the cliff. On sunny days, rainbows materialize in the mist.
After the waterfalls, the main trail enters a steep series of switchbacks before opening onto views over the Columbia River Gorge. There are many places along this upper trail to stop and take in the sights.
The Hamilton Mountain hike after the waterfalls is pretty steep, so it’ll likely be a workout for anyone. I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone with knee pain in light of the climb.
It’s really hard to park at Hamilton Mountain on weekends. We last hiked it on the first Saturday in March, which is still winter and not what I’d consider peak season. Yet by just after 10 am, all the parking spots were gone.
Some people park at Beacon Rock and walk up the road to the Hamilton Mountain trailhead. Take care with the road safety if you do this. We did the Beacon Rock hike first (it’s short), and then we went back to Hamilton Mountain and got a spot!
For more on the Hamilton Mountain hike, check out our Hamilton Mountain blog post.
#3. Multnomah – Wahkeena Falls Loop
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Oregon side
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5.1 miles, moderate
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Parking: It’s complicated. See details below.
Multnomah Falls is Oregon’s most famous waterfall, but visiting it can feel a bit like going to a zoo. Crowds of people hover around the captive waterfall, snacking on food from the concession stand and snapping photos. The waterfall is impressively tall and the adjacent lodge historic, but it’s missing the peace of being in the wilderness.
Nevertheless, Multnomah Falls ranks third among the top hikes of the Columbia River Gorge. That’s because it’s actually part of a 5.1-mile loop hike that passes 5 more stunning waterfalls.
Most people miss the Multnomah Falls hike and see only the waterfall from the lower viewpoint. Don’t miss the world of waterfalls beyond the postcard view at the entrance!
The trail begins at Multnomah Falls. You’ll likely see people hiking up the trail to Benson Bridge, the bridge between the waterfall’s upper and lower tiers. If you keep going on that trail, you’ll follow a set of switchbacks up the canyon wall to the top of Multnomah Falls. Although it’s not far, this section is somewhat steep, so I’ve found that hardly anyone else goes to the top. At the top, you can see a top-down view of Multnomah Falls, plus the upper waterfall tier, which is blocked from view below.
The trail then follows Multnomah Creek upstream. It plunges into full-on waterfalls three more times: Dutchman Falls, then Wiesendanger Falls, and then Ecola Falls. In between waterfalls, the creek cascades over moss-covered boulders, creating an idyllic streamside walk.
The loop hike then turns away from Multnomah Creek and contours around the hillside into the Wahkeena Creek basin. It crosses the creek at the base of the short but whimsical Fairy Falls before continuing downhill to the dramatic Wahkeena Falls.
In terms of difficulty, the trail beyond the top of Multnomah Falls gets narrower and rocky in places, but it’s in good condition. It’s fine as long as no one in your group needs to walk on even surfaces.
I first hiked this loop with my mom on the way to Thanksgiving in Idaho. We were just planning to look at Multnomah Falls, but after we started out on the trail, we couldn’t stop. Needless to say, we arrived at Thanksgiving well after dark.
Parking is complicated here. There are three options:
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The Multnomah Falls parking lot off of Exit 31 on I-84. It’s connected to the main lodge viewing area by a pedestrian walkway.
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The Multnomah Falls parking lot along the Historic Columbia River Highway. This parking lot is right next to the lodge.
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The Wahkeena Falls parking lot, also along the Historic Columbia River Highway. If you park at Wahkeena Falls, you can do the loop hike in reverse.
Parking is pretty competitive at both trailheads, but it’s worth checking both.
During the peak tourist season (May 24 – September 5 in 2022), permits are required between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm throughout the “Waterfall Corridor” on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. If you go in a different year, check the permit website for the peak season dates.
There are two different kinds of permits: One permit for the Multnomah Falls parking lot off I-84 (#1 in the list above), and the other permit for accessing the “waterfall corridor” on the Historic Columbia River Highway. The waterfall corridor is the section of the historic highway between Bridal Veil Falls and Ainsworth State Park. Most of the larger waterfalls are in this corridor, including Multnomah Falls and Wahkeena Falls. Accordingly, you’ll need this permit to try for a parking spot in lots #2 and #3 above.
The permits are only $2 per car (in 2022), but they often sell out, so reserve one online before you go. The electronic ticket confirmation is what you’ll need the day of your visit, so no need to print anything. Just be sure to have the ticket available on your phone.
Even with a permit, parking isn’t guaranteed, but it’s definitely more likely than without one!
For more on the Multnomah – Wahkeena Loop hike, check out our Multnomah – Wahkeena loop blog post.
#4. Dog Mountain
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Washington side
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6.5 miles, very steep
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Parking: America the Beautiful pass, Northwest Forest pass, or pay for parking on site
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Permits: During the peak season, you’ll also need to reserve a permit online in advance
Dog Mountain is best to visit in late spring and early summer, when the wildflower meadows are peaking. It feels like stepping into the Sound of Music, though definitely not at first…the beginning of the hike is a grueling forested climb up switchbacks of dizzying steepness. Take a lot of water!
At last, the trail suddenly emerges from the trees. The whole Columbia River Gorge appears before you beneath magnificent fields of wildflowers.
The wildflower meadows at Dog Mountain are dominated by yellow Balsamroot, a native wildflower that’s related to sunflowers. Purple lupine and bright red paintbrush create vivid contrasts with the yellow balsamroot flowers, and trailing phlox and many others make occasional appearances. From the wildflower meadows, expansive views of the Columbia River Gorge stretch to the horizon. It’s like being placed into a magnified version of Google Earth.
Permits are required on weekends and Memorial Day to hike Dog Mountain during the anticipated peak wildflower bloom season. In 2022, the dates were April 23 – June 12th. It will vary from year to year. We actually did our hike on June 25th, which was after the permit window had closed. The balsamroot flowers were a little past their peak, but they still carpeted the hillsides in a brilliant yellow glow. If you miss the peak bloom window or can’t get a permit, I’d still recommend going later in the season.
The permits aren’t expensive, but they are limited, so make sure to reserve them in advance if you go during peak season. Here is the permit reservation link.
For more on the Dog Mountain hike, check out our Dog Mountain blog post.
#5. Wahclella Falls
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Oregon side
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1.9 miles, gradual
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Parking: America the Beautiful pass, Northwest Forest pass, or pay for parking on site
Wahclella Falls is a great choice if you’re short on time but want to experience a slice of top Columbia River Gorge waterfall hiking. It also works well paired with a longer hike. We last hiked it as a double-header after hiking nearby Dry Creek Falls.
The Wahclella Falls trail is only two miles round-trip, and it’s a fairly gradual trail. It travels through a mossy canyon reminiscent of nearby Eagle Creek, but with substantially less vertigo risk for those afraid of heights.
Wahclella Falls is in the Eagle Creek Fire burn zone, but the canyon environment is so wet that the moss-covered cliffs and boulders keep it very green. In the spring, there’s so much water that the mossy cliffs drip water continually.
The trail follows Tanner Creek past a waterfall, Munra Falls, and then rises gradually to higher ground. Wahclella Falls itself is in a lush stone amphitheater at the end of the canyon—a dramatic endpoint for the hike.
#6. Coyote Wall
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Washington side
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6.7 miles, moderate
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Parking: Free
Coyote Wall is in the eastern part of the Columbia River Gorge, where the terrain is open and the views extend for miles. In the spring, it’s a world of idyllic green meadows, with fields of yellow balsamroot wildflowers and small waterfalls full from the winter rains. A giant cliff above the trailhead is the “Coyote Wall” that gives the hike its name.
In the spring when the wildflowers are peaking at Coyote Wall, the weather can be extraordinarily variable. The day we hiked Coyote Wall, it was warm and sunny at the bottom, but as we climbed into the hills, it began to…sleet. Luckily we had jackets and gloves!
This hike is best in the spring and can get dusty in the summer, but I’d recommend checking the weather before you go and taking extra gear just in case.
Coyote Wall has pretty ideal conditions for poison oak, so it grows thick along the trail in places. Avoid it if you can!
For more on Coyote Wall, check out our Coyote Wall blog post.
#7. Beacon Rock
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Washington side
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1.5 miles, moderate
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Parking: Discover Pass, or pay for parking on site
Beacon Rock is an enormous basalt rock tower on the Washington side of the gorge. The rock we see today is the remains of a volcano that erupted 57,000 years ago!
A short trail (about 1 1/2 miles altogether if you hike out and back) travels via switchbacks all the way up the cliff face to the top, offering expansive views over the Columbia River. It’s no ordinary trail, but rather a boardwalk that clings dramatically to the cliff edge. The trail has railings the whole way up, so it feels very safe despite looking like something out of the Swiss Family Robinson.
It’s a pretty popular stop, but parking is easier to come by than at the neighboring Hamilton Mountain trailhead. Since this trail is pretty short, I’d recommend hiking Hamilton Mountain afterward (it’s just a couple minutes’ drive up the road).
#8. Triple Falls
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Oregon side
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3.6 miles, moderate
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Parking: Waterfall Corridor permit needed during peak season. Details below.
The Triple Falls hike earns its place among my favorite Columbia River Gorge hikes for the density of waterfalls it packs into a 3.6-mile trek. In addition to the waterfalls, an overlook midway through the hike provides fabulous views over the gorge. Along the way, there are dripping moss walls and deep canyons.
A shorter hike leads to Triple Falls from the Oneonta trailhead, but I’d recommend starting at the Horsetail Falls trailhead instead. This allows you to pack 4 waterfalls into the hike.
The trail begins at Horsetail Falls. This waterfall is likely to be swarmed with tourists, since it’s right at the roadside, but the crowd dissipates as you continue toward the next waterfall. It’s less than half a mile (uphill) to the next waterfall, Ponytail Falls. Ponytail Falls is one of those cool waterfalls you can walk behind.
After Ponytail Falls, the trail first travels to the overlook before reaching the next waterfall. The overlook is nice any time of year, but it’s stunning on a warm day with a blue sky and the leaves in the full rush of summer. The whole valley materializes before you. It feels like being on the set of an epic movie.
After the overlook, the trail enters Oneonta Gorge, where the creek has cut a dramatic canyon into the cliffs. A footbridge crosses over the canyon, where there are views of the moss-covered canyon walls and the next waterfall: Middle Oneonta Falls.
Triple Falls is less than a mile from Middle Oneonta Falls. The trail gets a little steeper and rockier here, and it travels along the cliffs. It’s not narrow, but if anyone in your group is afraid of heights, it’s likely not an optimal hike. After switchbacks up the cliffs, the trail arrives at the unique, segmented Triple Falls.
This hike has some of the most striking wildfire damage among the recommendations in this list. The beginning of the trail is unburned, but when the trail enters Oneonta Gorge, the fire damage becomes apparent. Yet the dramatic canyon topography, density of waterfalls, and great views on this hike make it a top hike despite the fire.
The trailhead (Horsetail Falls) is within the “Waterfall Corridor” that requires a permit between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm during the peak tourist season (May 24 – September 5 in 2022). Check the permit website for the peak season dates in the year you go. The permits are $2 per vehicle (in 2022), but they often sell out, so reserve one online before you go. Even with a permit, parking isn’t guaranteed.
For more on the Triple Falls hike, check out our Triple Falls blog post.
#9. Latourell Falls
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Oregon side
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2 miles, moderate
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Parking: Free
Latourell Falls is the closest of the gorge waterfalls to Portland, making it the first stop in the Columbia River Gorge for many people (including Bryan and me). This is the very first hike we ever took in the gorge! The Latourell Falls area was unaffected by the Eagle Creek Fire that scorched so many nearby trails, making it a rare gorge hike on the Oregon side with its lush forest fully intact.
The Latourell Falls hike is a two-mile loop with a moderate amount of climb. It’s a great hike to do with visitors who would like a preview of the gorge’s waterfalls and mossy forest. Since it’s short, it can easily be combined with stops to see other waterfalls in the waterfall corridor, and it’s great in any season.
The hike passes two waterfalls. The first is visible right out of the parking lot. It has fabulous columnar basalt columns and a signature coating of yellowish lichen. The second waterfall, Upper Latourell Falls, is at the top of the loop trail and definitely worth a visit.
Check out our Latourell Falls blog post to explore Latourell Falls and its history before you go.
#10. Cape Horn
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Washington side
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6.4 miles, moderate
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Parking: Free
The Cape Horn trail travels along cliffs above the Columbia River that are a key nesting ground for peregrine falcons. The cliffs are low and right over the river, providing a unique “river’s edge” perspective unmatched by other gorge hikes we’ve done.
While most of the hike is on trails, it also travels along country roads for a short stretch. It feels peaceful out along those country roads. Wild peas burst into bright magenta blooms along the roadside. An idyllic countryside surrounds you, with hay bales in the fields beyond and cliffs rising in the backdrop.
The lower part of the Cape Horn trail closes annually from February 1 – July 15th (peregrine falcon breeding season). If you go during the annual closure, you can do a longer out-and-back version of the hike that avoids the closed section. We last hiked the Cape Horn trail on July 16th, the day after the seasonal closure ended, so we were able to do the full loop trail.
Rocky talus slopes along the Cape Horn trail create a unique environment that’s a key habitat for pikas and a salamander species called the Larch Mountain salamander. Look out for wildlife on this trail!
For a longer preview of the Cape Horn trail, check out our Cape Horn blog post.
Other Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
Thanks for joining us for the top 10 hikes of the Columbia River Gorge! Let us know in the comments if there are other hikes in your personal “top 10.”
For more travel ideas in the Pacific Northwest, check out our PNW Trip Planner. You can find adventures near you and filter by season and difficulty level. There are weird and wonderful things to explore any time of year. The trip planner links to blog posts to help you plan your next adventure.
Happy exploring!
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