Quick Details
Embark on a Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls and Mt. Hood Tour from Portland, Oregon
Follow the path of an ancient riverbed, carved by the last ice age, past the Bridge of the Gods, and explore the Windsurfing Capital of the World. In the afternoon, traverse Oregon’s fertile fruit valley on the way to the alpine top of a volcano, which boasts a title as the world’s 2nd most summited mountain in the world. Come along on this whirlwind journey to experience a selection of Oregon’s wonders.
**Please note, this is a seasonal tour that runs from late-March through early-November, weather permitting. Please give us a call at (503) 396-3929 to inquire about possible off-season availability or a private version of this adventure.
Highlights:
- Crown Point Vista House
- Columbia River Gorge
- Multnomah Falls & Historic Lodge
- Hood River
- Oregon’s Fruit Loop
- Mt. Hood & Timberline Lodge
Typical Itinerary
This is a full day tour, typically offered from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. Please note, the tour route and sights may vary depending on the time of year and weather conditions. It is always our goal to provide you with the most interesting adventure possible.
We will depart downtown Portland and head east along the Columbia River to Troutdale, known as the Gateway to the Gorge! We will join the beautiful Historic Columbia River Highway, the first planned scenic roadway in the United States, and wind our way to our first stop for the day: Crown Point Vista House. This famous overlook sits 733 feet above the Columbia River, atop the remains of a lava flow that swept through the Gorge around 14 to 17 million years ago! Here, we will find amazing 180-degree views of the Columbia River Gorge and explore the Vista House. An intricately designed observatory and museum, the Vista House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
From there, we will drive deeper into the Columbia River National Scenic Area. Our first waterfall for the day will be the dramatic Latourell Falls which plunges 249 feet over a massive wall of columnar basalt. Depending on the season, a short ¼-mile paved trail hike will be led to get a closer view of the falls.
The next waterfall we will visit will be the grand Multnomah Falls. Plummeting 620 feet in two major steps, Multnomah Falls is the highest waterfall in Oregon and second highest continuously flowing waterfall in the nation! Here, we will explore the Multnomah Falls Historic Lodge (a Cascadian style stone and timber lodge built in 1925) as well as the beautiful Multnomah Falls itself. During the gorge fire of 2017, the wildland fire crew fought tirelessly and ultimately saved this historic landmark. The easily accessible viewing platform offers a full view of the Benson Bridge and cascading falls beyond it.
Onward to Hood River, also known as the Windsurfing Capital of the World, we will pause for an hour with a chance to explore the town and eat lunch. Following lunch, we will set out heading south, through the picturesque Fruit Loop orchards and lavender farms. If time permits, we may even make a brief stop at one of the farm stands!
Continuing, we will wind our way, climbing to roughly 6,000 feet in elevation, to Timberline Lodge. This National Historic Landmark sits proudly against Oregon’s highest peak- Mt. Hood! Attracting over 10,000 climbers each year, Mt. Hood is a mammoth to behold. We’ll go on a walking tour inside the lodge and enjoy the surrounding Cascade Mountain Range views from the lodge’s outdoor patios. If time allows, a short hike to the Pacific Crest Trail crossing just behind the lodge will be led by your guide.
After the full day of adventures, you will return to Portland (approximately 1.5-hour drive).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Lunch is not included in the tour price. We will pause for an hour in Hood River where you will have a chance to explore and eat lunch. Complimentary bottled water will be available throughout the tour.
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Oregon’s weather, although very temperate, can sometimes be unpredictable. bringing along a rain jacket and wearing multiple layers is typically the best option for almost anywhere in Oregon. Umbrellas will be provided during the tour. Comfortable, closed-toed shoes are highly recommended.
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We will be exploring in a large van. This luxury vehicle comes with an extra tall roof so that everyone feels comfortable and not cramped. There are oversized windows to allow for the best visibility for our guests! See more information on our General Info page.
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For the Waterfalls and Mt. Hood Tour, you will have the opportunity to walk on well-maintained trails, though it is not required. Typically, the furthest distance we walk at one time during the day is ½ a mile round trip. Some trails/paths are graded, but only slightly or for a short distance.
We aim to spend about 50% of our time on tour exploring the sights and stretching our legs. There is typically walking required to get the full experience at each stop, but for most of the sights, the actual distance walked is completely up to you. We make time at each stop for personal exploration, so you can choose to find a quiet place to sit, head to the nearest viewing point/platform, or meander further down the path or trail. Unfortunately, there are not many stops on tour that can be experienced if you choose to remain back in the vehicle.
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We generally prefer to limit our group size to 12 travelers to ensure that everyone is comfortable and relaxed. Throughout the high travel season, one can expect tour group sizes to be around 6 to 12 people. During the rest of the year, group sizes can typically range from 2 to 8.
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We have tried to include access to public bathrooms at all of our planned stops. No worries though! If the need arises, your guide can find a convenient place to stop. There are no restrooms in our tour vehicles.
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Please read the full Terms and Conditions here.
For more information, please refer to our General Info page. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!