Columbia Gorge
Waterfalls, walks, wine
Columbia Gorge
waterfalls, walks, wine
FALL IN LOVE with Portland's beautiful backyard
Just 16 miles east of the city center, traveling along the great COLUMBIA RIVER, the interstate crosses an unassuming tributary. On the other side, the fast food, gas stations, hotels, and other ubiquitous roadside services fall away. EVERGREEN FORESTS, EXPOSED BASALT CLIFFS, the river itself, and opportunity for adventure are what remain. There are plenty of waterfalls and other sights to take in throughout your day while you learn the geology behind the DRAMATIC LANDSCAPE, the trees around you, and the people who have lived and played here, throughout history and today. That’s a varied group, including Native American communities, Depression-era dam builders, local hikers, and salty barge captains. So many elements of PACIFIC NORTHWEST CULTURE AND HISTORY come together in the Columbia River Gorge that our conversations, and your experience, may go in countless different directions.
ITINERARY SNAPSHOTS - where we go, what we do
Less than half an hour from Portland, you’ll capture the essence of the Gorge travelling the historic highway as it winds up, down, and through evergreen forests offering up-close access to Latourell, Bridal Veil, and Wahkeena Falls. A quick trip is just a half day, and this scenic area is usually just the first part of your adventure.
The Columbia River Gorge is a unique and somewhat unheralded wine region with a range of microclimates, wherein grapes of many varieties thrive; diversity is the rule here. There’s a bottle for every palate from pinot noir and chardonnay to cabernet sauvignon, grenache, syrah, and more. Some of these wineries come with picture-perfect views of Mt. Adams or Mt. Hood, and are easily reached after a morning in Waterfall Alley.
In the heart of the Gorge, the small-but-mighty White Salmon River is a rollicking ride that offers exceptional splash in just a couple of hours on the water. This half-day activity pairs with any other itinerary for a superb Columbia Gorge experience.
Further east, the climate dries and the landscape changes. Native American history and geology take center stage as your guide brings to life the full picture of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The highlights are subtler on this adventure where the landscape change is unforgettable and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
In combination with Whitewater or Waterfall Alley, complete a circuit around Oregon’s highest peak, enjoying the scenery of the Hood River Valley and the dramatic drive to 6,000’ on the slopes of Mt. Hood to visit the historic Timberline Lodge. On a clear day, this route can afford views of 8 volcanoes of the Cascade Mountain Range!
Most travelers make a day trip into the Columbia River Gorge from Portland, but a multi-day immersion can offer all the above on a more relaxed timeline. Choose your favorite itineraries, and we’ll craft your stay leaving time and space to enjoy a casual morning in a local coffee shop, an evening stroll along the river, the local microbrewery scene, and more.
