![]() ![]() ![]() Which means they’re all within about 60 minutes of our front door (and yours, too, if you also live in Portland). Most of the best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge are concentrated in the area between Portland and the Dalles (just past Hood River), split between the Oregon side and Washington side of the river. We love hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, which runs from Astoria at the northwest corner of Oregon all the way out to central Oregon (where it turns north into Washington), marking the border between Oregon and Washington State. Several of those hikes call the Columbia River Gorge home, and several of them are well under 90 minutes from our front door. One of our favorite things about living in Portland is the fact that within 90 minutes of our front door, we can be at the trailhead for some of our favorite hikes in Oregon. The Best Columbia River Gorge Hikes Expand.The Best Hikes in Oregon (Our Favorites).Planning Your Portland Itinerary Expand.There is a wide, flat area to explore and rest, but no handrails or paved portions. Going north offers classic, sweeping views of the Gorge, Portland, numerous surrounding mountains, and Bonneville Dam. Hatfield Wilderness and Mount Hood National Forest), or scramble up a minor boulder problem to the north. At this point it’s possible to climb atop a minor outcropping to the south (for those interested in a longer hike/possible backpacking trip: this trail continues into the Mark O. The path ultimately appears to terminate at a boulder. The trail continues to wind in and out of the woods as it climbs, passing numerous burn areas. After a brief jaunt in the trees, it emerges onto a semi-exposed ridge face, providing your first true glimpse of the Gorge. The route continues alongside Coopey Creek for a short distance before crossing a footbridge and becoming marginally steeper. There is a trail spur at the first obvious rest point that terminates at the top of the falls and offers a pleasant view of the creek. After about a half mile you’ll hear Coopey Falls, a tall, horsetail waterfall fed by Coopey Creek. The grade increases marginally as the trail turns away from the road, though it never becomes exceptionally steep. The trail itself begins with a mild uphill through quiet, old-growth forest. Parking can be limited at the trailhead, though it’s generally easy to find space on weekday mornings. If you have a little extra time and don’t mind narrow, winding roads, beautiful forest, and roadside fruit stands, take the Columbia River Highway. There are two ways to reach the Angel’s Rest trailhead from Portland: take I-84 E, then get off at Bridal Veil (exit 28) or take I-84 E, then take the Historic Columbia River Highway (accessible from Troutdale, east). For those like myself who worried that the fire had wiped out our favorite Gorge spots: don’t. The burn areas look verdant, healthy, and well on their way to recovery. Due in large part to extensive restoration efforts, the trail looks almost exactly as I remember it. It was the first time that I’d hiked in the Gorge post-fire, and I was anxious to see the extent of the damage. Although Angel’s Rest re-opened in November 2018, I didn’t return until May 2019. Then, in 2017, the Eagle Creek Fire forced the closure of a majority of the Gorge’s trails, Angel’s Rest among them. It had been my go-to, showcase hike for visiting friends for years. It’s a mere 40-minute drive from town yet offers varied terrain and incredible views of the Columbia River Gorge. In the twenty years that I’ve lived in Portland, I’ve hiked Angel’s Rest more times than I can count. Kid Friendly: Yes, although it’s likely most suitable for those eight and older Dog Friendly: Yes, provided they’re good with heights and rocks When: Location: Angel’s Rest, Columbia River Gorge, OR Conditions: Sunny and warm Duration: 2.5 hours Distance: Between 4.5 and 5 miles roundtrip Trail Format: Out-and-back Difficulty: Moderate, with a small scramble at the top. ![]()
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