Garganta del Columbia

Head down the wooded slopes of Mt. Hood National Forest and into the wide open, rolling wheat country of central Oregon today. Follow the old Oregon Trail beside winding streams through remote canyons to a park beside the Columbia River at The Dalles. After lunch, head to Hood River to explore this fascinating town – the windsurfing capital of the United States and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Outside magazine named it "One of America’s Best Towns."  Explore its shops and art galleries, an upscale wine bar and Full Sail Brewery, a micro-brew pub with deck seating overlooking the Columbia River. Spend the next two nights at the BW Hood River Inn, with its unique shoreline location and private beach.

38 mi. +586 ft / -4,459 ft

In the morning, take a whitewater rafting trip (fee included, equipment provided, no experience necessary) down the nearby White Salmon River. The White Salmon is glacier-fed by snow-clad Mt. Adams, so the river has a fairly continuous flow rate and the water is clear and cold. The river cuts through a narrow rocky gorge with 100-foot cliffs, emptying out into forested meadows. Learn about local dam removal efforts to save native salmon runs as you paddle. This afternoon, you can choose to spend more time enjoying the town of Hood River, or you can ride the “Fruit Loop” through the orchards and vineyards above town while enjoying views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood. Lunch and dinner are on your own today. Spend another night at the Hood River Inn.

[Optional 23.2 mi. +1,769 ft / -1,768 ft]

Bicycle the Mark Hatfield Trail in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It's an old scenic byway high on the cliffs overlooking the Columbia River east of town. This section of the road was abandoned for decades after completion of the freeway beside the river. Recently, it was reopened as a paved multi-use path. Bicycling magazine featured the trail as one of the great places to ride in the United States. You’ll see the Columbia River below and marvel at the intricate stonework in the road’s Depression-era guardrail. Enjoy lunch at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, located where early explorers and settlers faced a tough decision: continue west by rafting down the  Columbia River on a series of dangerous rapids, or struggle through roadless evergreen forests over the Cascade Mountains south of Mt. Hood. Following lunch, spend some time exploring the museum (admission included) and attending the Raptor Program to learn about local birds of prey. Shuttle to  Skamania Lodge, a luxurious destination resort with memorable dining, a spa, a zipline and an adjacent 18-hole golf course. 

21.2 miles · +1,644 ft / -1,523 ft

Head back over the Columbia River into Oregon this morning on the Bridge of the Gods. Native legends – now corroborated by modern geological research – tell of a massive landslide that once spanned the mighty river here, providing them an easy place to cross. The modern Bridge of the Gods is a spiderweb of steel which provides crossing for car traffic as well as Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers. Once on the Oregon side, take a relaxing pedal past tumbling waterfalls on sections of paved multi-use path as well the Gorge Scenic Highway. Have lunch on the river as well as a chance to swap “tales of the trail” with thru-hikers at Thunder Island Brewing. Since we are staying at the Skamania Lodge for another night, should you prefer a day off the bike, you can also hang out at the resort to enjoy the spa, zipline or golf course instead. 

34.2 mi. +2,470 ft / -2,466 ft

Take another ride along “Waterfall Alley” – as this section of the Gorge is locally known. Heading downriver on the historic highway today toward the outskirts of Portland we visit renowned Multnomah Falls. At a dizzying 620 feet, it's the tallest and most famous waterfall in the Columbia Gorge. Pass by more amazing falls on your way to Vista House – a spectacular viewpoint from which you can look back over almost your entire journey this week. Return to Portland after lunch.

26.3 mi. +2,076 ft / -1,459 ft