Columbia River Gorge

Portland to Hood River, USAactivities

Leaving Portland's eastern suburbs, you follow the Historic Columbia River Highway — a century-old engineering marvel that climbs, dips, and curves through basalt cliffs above the river. The first 30 kilometres are genuinely the best of it: forested switchbacks, roadside pull-outs above the gorge, and the short detours to Latourell and Multnomah Falls that are absolutely worth locking the bike for. The pavement here is smooth and the traffic manageable on weekday mornings, though summer weekends bring enough cars to keep you honest on the narrower sections. East of Troutdale the route splits between dedicated riverside paths and quiet state roads. The wind is the real variable. The gorge acts as a natural funnel between the coast and the high desert, and a westerly headwind can turn the final 25 kilometres into a genuine grind — which is exactly why most riders travel east, from Portland toward Hood River, letting the prevailing wind push rather than resist. Expect around 800 metres of cumulative gain, mostly front-loaded, with a long rolling finish past cherry and pear orchards that give the valley a softer, more pastoral feel. Hood River is compact and easy to navigate, with good accommodation across all budgets and several cafes used to feeding cyclists. You can return to Portland by train — Amtrak stops at Hood River — making a one-way day trip or relaxed overnight perfectly achievable. Bike hire is available in Portland at several shops near the waterfront if you haven't brought your own. The gorge scenery is at its sharpest in spring when the waterfalls are running hard and the orchards are in blossom. Go in April or May for the best balance of weather, crowd levels, and scenery; pack a windproof layer regardless of forecast.

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