The Columbia River Gorge was formed eons ago by catastrophic events. After the ice glaciers started to melt, huge quantities of water were held back by natural ice dams. When the dams broke, torrents of water and boulders came rushing down to carve this beautiful gorge. But you don’t need to know the history of this natural wonder to enjoy its beauty.

Did you know? The Columbia River Gorge is the only navigable sea-level passage through the Cascade Mountains, making it a critical transportation corridor for centuries, from Native American trade routes to modern shipping.

“The waterfalls were incredible, but the hike between Multnomah and Wahkeena was the real highlight for me. It felt like I was walking through a storybook forest with so many little cascades hidden along the way.” - Lisa R., via Google Reviews

Columbia River Highway

The scenic and historic Columbia River Highway will take you from Troutdale, close to Portland, to The Dalles, 75 miles away. It passes by high overlooks and plentiful waterfalls. See the full article about Portland, Oregon, here.

The first stop on the road to the waterfalls is a place jokingly called the Million Dollar Outhouse. The rest stop and Vista Point were supposed to be built on a budget, but ended up costing too much.

Interesting Fact: The Gorge starts from British Columbia and ends at Astoria on the Oregon Coast. It spans 260,000 square miles in 7 states.

The building sits on a promontory with a great view of the river and hills on the Oregon and Washington sides. On a windy or rainy day, the indoor viewing gallery, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, provides shelter while you are enjoying the views. Downstairs, you can find restrooms and a coffee shop.

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Waterfalls

The Columbia River Gorge has 26 waterfalls, some of which are on the Washington side. There isn’t enough time in one day to explore all of them, but here are the most popular ones.

Multnomah Falls

This is the most iconic, visited, and photographed waterfall in Oregon. It also has the highest plunge, at 620 feet, and a beautiful bridge that brings visitors closer to the roaring water and its refreshing mist.

Interesting Fact: Multnomah is considered the tallest waterfall in Oregon. The water mainly comes from underground springs and snowmelt.

There is a short trail that takes you to the bridge. This is an easy and accessible hike that anyone can make. But if you are up for the challenge, you can continue on the steep trail that takes you to the top of the falls, where you can find another small waterfall.

Tip: If you go on the bridge and continue on the trail past the bridge, be ready to get wet. The mist from the fall is very strong in this area.

The Multnomah Falls area has a visitor center, a café, and a nice restaurant with a view. The food here is very good, but the view is even better. I enjoyed my pancake breakfast while watching the amazing waterfall.

Traveler Alert: A timed-use permit is required to access the Multnomah Falls Historic Area by personal vehicle during peak season (late May to early September). Secure your permit online in advance to ensure entry.

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Wahkeena Falls

Wahkeena drops from a height of 242 feet but flows down gently. Like Multnomah, it has a bridge that you need to hike to for the best fall views.

Interesting Fact: The word Wahkeena in the Yakima Indian language means “Most Beautiful” – a very fitting name.

The fall is close to Multnomah and connected by a hiking trail. The hike between the two falls is easy, with surprisingly small waterfalls and cascades along the way.

Bridal Veil Falls

Another great waterfall, this one with two cascades of water plunging from a height of 160 feet, flows under the Historic Highway. Although you can view the falls from the platform next to the road, for the best view, try the one-mile round-trip hike. It is steep, with many switchbacks, but it is worth the effort.

Other Falls at the Columbia River Gorge

Some of the other falls worth mentioning are:

• Latourell Falls (249 feet): Visible from the road but requires a hike for a better view.
• Horsetail Falls (176 feet): A lovely waterfall that you can walk behind.
• Punch Bowl Falls (35 feet): A minor fall that runs into a punch bowl-shaped pool.

Hiking through the Gorge

This is my favorite way to enjoy the gorge and its waterfalls. Take one of the many trails that connect the falls and get close to nature. The “Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop Hike” connects Multnomah with Wahkeena Falls and is considered a moderate hike.

You can start this hike from either waterfall. The trail is about 5 miles long, and your elevation gain is only about 1600 feet. Along the way, you will see eight named waterfalls, plenty of unnamed water cascades, and verdant moss and trees. Some of the falls will require a short side detour to get to.

Tip: Although it is not a difficult trail, it can be rough at times. Take special care during wet or icy conditions. It could be very slippery.

Biking through the Gorge

Yes, it is possible to bike all the way from Portland to the waterfalls at the Gorge. It is not all smooth sailing, but it can be done. Here is a very detailed map of the bike trails through the Gorge.

Easy Ride

The Easy CLIMB Trail is a 2-mile loop at the Cascade Locks Port and offers an easy intro to biking the gorge. This is a mostly flat trail that winds through river beaches and meadows.

Moderate Ride

This trail follows the Historic Columbia River Highway from Troutdale to Cascade Locks. Bikes share the road with cars most of the way. The trail passes by many of the most popular waterfalls at the Gorge, including Multnomah Falls.

Guided Tours

Before I went exploring on my own, I decided to try a guided tour through the Gorge. This was a great decision. I went on a full-day Gorge and Mt Hood tour with Hub World Tours. The tour was very well organized and informative. It was a good way to get introduced to a new place. Read the full story here.