Map of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

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Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail is a set of three separate paved pathways that follow alongside the highway that heads down the Columbia River Gorge to the east of Portland.

The western section of the trail is 7-miles long and is located between the communities of Warrendale and the Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks.

The central section of the trail is 1.3-miles long and stretches from the Starvation Creek Falls trailhead to Viento State Park.

The eastern section of the trail is 4.5-miles long and is located between the communities of Hood River and Mosier.

There is also a 7.2-mile long multi-use paved pathway called the Columbia Riverfront Trail that spans from the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center to a point 1 mile east of the Brewery Overpass Road in the community of The Dalles.

The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail offers fantastic views of the Columbia River, travels through dense evergreen forests, passes through historic tunnels once built for the original highway, connects to numerous hiking trails, goes past Multnomah Falls and the Bridge of the Gods that crosses the Columbia River into the State of Washington. The trail also goes past a number of state parks and other attractions.

The eastern section of the trail travels through thickly wooded areas high above the river. There is an overlook with fantastic views of the Columbia River Gorge and the hillsides of the Washington side of the river near Bingen.

Many cyclists ride along the Historic Columbia River Highway itself along with the automobile traffic. Much of the original highway built in the 1930s now serves as a frontage road for Interstate 84.

Within the community of Hood River there is a paved pathway system around the marinas and the Hood River Bridge. In this area, there is also the Indian Creek Trail. The Indian Creek Trail is 1.5 miles long and mostly unpaved. The trail travels through the natural areas along the creek and goes past the Hood River Shopping Center, through Indian Creek Park and ends at E. Hazel Avenue.

Conditions

The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail is paved for its entire route. Most of the trail is located away from the highway, though there are some sections wehre is is directly adjacent to the roadway. The trail is open for bike riding and hiking.

Communities

The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail goes past the following communities: Warrendale, Bonneville, Hood River and Mosler

Points of Interest

The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail goes past the following points of interest:

Elowah Falls Trailhead

John B. Yeon State Scenic Corridor

Munra Point Trail

Bonneville Fish Hatchery

Wahclella Falls Trailhead

Cascade Locks

Toll House Park

Bridge of the Gods

Starvation Creek State Park & Falls

Viento State Park

Bonneville State Park

Robins Island

Toothrock Tunnel

Cascade Salmon Hatchery

Sheridan State Park

Tunnel under Interstate 84

Bridge of the Gods

End Points

There are two separate sections of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail with a 22-mile long gap inbetween.

The west end of the 7-mile long western section is located at the Elowah Falls Trailhead which is adjacent to the southern frontage road accessible from Exit 35 on Interstate 84. The east end of this section is located at the Bridge of the Gods in the community of Cascade Locks.

The west end of the 4.5-mile long eastern section of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail is located at the end of Old Columbia River Drive to the east of the community of Hood River. The eastern end of this section is located off of Rock Creek Trail to the west of the community of Mosier.

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Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail in Nothern Oregon.