Columbia Gorge Bike Tour

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 Hood River Inn, with its unique shoreline location and private beach.

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 on the Washington side of the river, a luxurious destination resort with memorable dining, a spa, a zipline and an adjacent 18-hole golf course.

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.

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.

*Bicycle Adventures operates under special use permits while on Federal Lands managed by the National Forest Service (USDA), National Parks and Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.