The Columbia Gorge is a gorgeous area of the Pacific Northwest that straddles both Oregon and Washington. Hood River is one of the most popular destinations in the Columbia Gorge for outdoor lovers (the area is known as the windsurfing capital) as well as wine and cider lovers. While there are too many great hikes near Hood River to list them all here, these are a few of the most scenic hikes that aren’t too long or difficult.
Hikes Near Hood River #1: Multnomah Falls Hiking Trail
Distance: 2.4 miles
Elevation gain: 810 feet
Multnomah Falls is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Columbia Gorge. Located just half an hour’s drive from Hood River (mid-way between Portland and the Columbia Gorge), Multnomah Falls offers stunning views, a beautiful ADA-accessible trail to the top of the falls, and a historic lodge.
The trail to the top of Multnomah Falls is not overly strenuous, but there are some sections with stairs. The payoff for your effort is an incredible view from Benson Bridge, which spans the upper tier of the falls.
There are two ways to get to the trailhead for Multnomah Falls. The first is to park in the lot at the base of the falls and take the short (0.25 mile) hike up. The second is to park in the lot at Wahkeena Springs and take the longer (but more scenic) hike through a series of waterfalls to Multnomah Falls.
If you have the time, we recommend taking the longer hike. The trail to Wahkeena Springs is well-marked and relatively flat. Along the way, you’ll pass by several waterfalls, including Fairy Falls, Weisendanger Falls, and Wahkeena Falls. The total distance from Wahkeena Springs to Multnomah Falls is about two miles.
Hikes Near Hood River #2: Horsetail and Ponytail Falls Loop
Distance: 2.6 miles
Elevation gain: 565 feet
This short, easy, hike near Hood River is perfect if you’re looking for a quick jaunt that offers impressive views. This is a wonderful low-elevation loop that includes three waterfalls, overlooks the Oneonta Bottomlands, and offers sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge.The trailhead for Horsetail and Ponytail Falls is located just off the historic Columbia River Highway. From the trailhead, follow the signs for Horsetail Falls. After a short, level walk through the woods, you’ll come to the first waterfall of the hike, Horsetail Falls.
Just beyond Horsetail Falls is Ponytail Falls. Ponytail Falls is unique in that you can walk behind the waterfall and see it from both sides. To get to the other side of the waterfall, follow the signs for the Oneonta Gorge Trail.
Once you’ve had your fill of Ponytail Falls, return to the Horsetail Falls trail and continue following it until it intersects with the Columbia River Highway. At this point, you can either turn around and retrace your steps back to the trailhead, or follow the highway north for about a mile to return to where you started.
Hikes Near Hood River #3: Dog Mountain Hike
Distance: 6.9 miles
Elevation gain: 2800 feet
If you’re looking for a challenging hike with incredible views, Dog Mountain fits the bill. Located just a little over 20 minutes (by car) from Hood River, Dog Mountain is a popular destination for both day hikes and overnight camping.
The trail to the top of Dog Mountain is steep, gaining over 2800 feet in just three miles. However, the views from the summit are more than worth the effort. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood. This is also a great place to see wildflowers in bloom during wildflower season (Late April/early May).
Hikes Near Hood River #4: Rooster Rock Wagon Road Hike
Distance: 4.8 miles
Elevation: 910 feet
Located about an hour’s drive from Hood River (or 20ish minutes from Portland, on the way to Hood River) this hike offers panoramic views from Chanticleer point. The site was once home to the Chanticleer Inn, which burned down in 1930. The old Rooster Rock Wagon Road, often known as the Chanticleer Point Road and Water Line Road, is still in use today. To get closer to Mirror Lake below Crown Point’s basalt ramparts, you may walk it all the way down to the railway tracks. The lake, which is now a mirror image of its ancient form, glimmers in the winter months as hundreds of tundra swans inhabit it.
Other hikes near Hood River include :
Hikes Near Hood River #5: Starvation Creek Falls Hike
Distance: 4.3 miles
Elevation gain: 145 feet
Located along the Columbia River on the Oregon side, just 20 or so minutes’ drive from Hood River, the Starvation Creek Falls Hike is an easy, family-friendly hike that leads to not one, but three waterfalls.
The trailhead for the Starvation Creek Falls Hike is located just off of I-84, making it easily accessible.
The first waterfall you’ll come to is Upper Starvation Creek Falls, which tumbles over a basalt cliff into a pool below. Just a short distance further is Lower Starvation Creek Falls, which plunges over a series of ledges into a deep pool.
The final waterfall of the hike, Middle Starvation Creek Falls, is located just off the main trail.
Hikes Near Hood River #6: Eagle Creek Trail and Falls
Distance: between 4.2 miles to 26 miles
Elevation: from 500 to 3725 (depending on how far you hike/how much of the full route you choose to do)
Distance from Hood River: about a 30-minute drive
This magnificent cliffside trek passes through a wooded basalt cliff with views of Eagle Creek, offering stunning views of the slot canyon below. Small waterfalls trickle down the sides of the rock, while the route winds past other larger waterfalls including Punch Bowl Falls, which is reached via a side trail about 2 miles up the mountain. A little farther up the trial, hikers will encounter the appropriately named High Bridge, which spans a 150-foot-wide creek canyon 3 miles up. Some hikers choose to continue farther up the trail (about seven miles) to Tunnel Falls where you can step through the waterfall to view it from inside.
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