13 Easy Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge
One of the best parts of living in or visiting Portland, Oregon, or Vancouver, Washington is the close proximity to some pretty great outdoor locations.
Just 30 minutes away, you’ll start a beautiful drive up the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, which is flooded with beautiful hikes.
Whether you’re on the Oregon side of the border or on the northern Washington side, there are plenty of options, even for beginners.
In this post, I’ll let you in on 13 easy hikes in the Columbia River Gorge that are worth your while and will treat you to some epic views.
Easy Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge
Below are 13 hikes that are suitable for beginners within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Some are longer and some are shorter, some with more elevation gain, some with less.
But the one thing that these all have in common is that even a first-time hiker can accomplish them and see those beautiful PNW viewpoints.
1. Beacon Rock
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 575 feet
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Location: Stevenson, WA
Pass Required: Discover
This classic hike in Beacon Rock State Park is one of the most popular amongst hikers in the Portland area.
It’s under an hour’s drive from Portland, making for a great post-work hike.
You’ll start at the trailhead right off of Highway 14 and begin the climb up the 848-foot Beacon Rock.
It sure is a unique hike, as you’ll be climbing up boardwalks that have been built right into the rock.
This area was significant to Lewis and Clark’s journey across the country as it was close to the end of their route.
In his journal, Clark even wrote about Beacon Rock and titled it ‘The Beaten Rock.’
It definitely stands out among all of the other rocks and cliffs in the area, as it juts out of the ground and overlooks the Columbia River.
At the top, you’ll be met with an absolutely beautiful view of the Columbia River Gorge and will feel on top of the world.
2. Multnomah Falls
Distance: 2.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 810 feet
Estimated Time:
Location: Bridal Veil, OR
Pass Required: None
Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon, dropping in two tiers at a total of 620 feet into Multnomah Creek.
You’ll start at the very popular trailhead and make your way up to the main viewpoint, which is just a few steps from the parking lot.
This section of the trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. Many people don’t go any further than this.
If you’d like to go a bit further, you can hike up a few switchbacks to stand on Benson Bridge and look out at Upper Multnomah Falls.
Continue onto the path that turns into a dirt trail and make your way all the way up to the upper falls.
This is a unique view that not a lot of people get because most don’t make it further than the first viewpoint.
It is one of the most accessible waterfalls in Oregon.
The parking lot here fills up extremely fast, especially in the summer, so I recommend arriving before 8:00 am to get a spot.
Note: During certain times of the year, a timed-entry permit is required to enter the waterfall corridor in Oregon. Check here for updated information.
3. Ponytail Falls
Distance: 0.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 350 feet
Estimated Time: 40 minutes
Location: Cascade Locks
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
You’ll be blown away before you even begin this hike, as there’s a waterfall right at the trailhead, Horsetail Falls.
Start the trail with a pretty nice sized uphill and get into the forest to get to the falls.
This hike is a bit uphill, but it’s very short, so that makes up for the climbing.
You’ll know exactly why this fall is called Ponytail Falls when you see it.
The water flows over a rocky cliff and looks like a ponytail coming off of your head.
You even will have the opportunity to walk behind Ponytail Falls, which is pretty unique in this area!
4. Bridal Veil Falls
Distance: 0.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 100 feet
Estimated Time: 20 minutes
Location: Corbett, OR
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
This short hike right off of the Historic Columbia River Highway will take you just a quick 20 minutes and features an epic waterfall.
Bridal Veil Falls is one of the best, most easily accessible falls within the Gorge.
It’s perfect for beginners and those who aren’t up for a ton of long hiking.
After a short 1/2-mile hike down a steep incline, you’ll cross a bridge and see Bridal Veil Falls.
Stand on the platform and look out at this two-tiered falls that spills down over a moss-covered rock wall.
The water flow is always very powerful but will be at its strongest during the spring months.
It’s a highly impressive waterfall that just required a quick climb up and down a few partially paved switchbacks.
5. Oneota Trail
Distance: 5.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,700 feet
Estimated Time: 3.5 hours
Location: Dodson, OR
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
The Oneota Trail is definitely one of the most popular easy hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, although it closes periodically.
After the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017, this area was severely damaged and remained closed until just recently.
Before heading out for this hike, check the updated status to ensure you aren’t disappointed with a ‘closed’ sign when you arrive.
The entire trial follows Oneota Creek and winds through the woods.
After about 1.7 miles, you’ll reach Triple Falls, a gorgeous waterfall that splits into 3 sections and spills over a mossy cliff.
This route ends about 2.8 miles down the trail, but you can continue further if you’d like.
The actual Oneota Gorge to Upper, Middle, and Oneota Falls that many people love visiting is unfortunately closed and has no foreseeable opening date.
6. Latourell Falls
Distance: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 650 feet
Estimated Time: 1.5 hours
Location: Corbett, OR
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Many of these trails have waterfalls that are just minutes from the parking lot, and Latourell falls is another example of this.
I personally think that Latourell Falls is one of the best in the Columbia River Gorge because it’s unique from the others.
It drops almost 135 feet over a huge basalt rock cliff that looks like something straight out of geography class, but right there in nature.
It’s insanely beautiful, covered in bright green moss, with water spraying you as it plunges into the pool below.
You can almost walk up and underneath this waterfall because it drops right onto the ground near the trail.
You can either stop here or continue on the trail across the bridge and up to the top of Latourell Falls.
The trail loops back around and will bring you back down to the parking lot once you return.
If you only want to see the waterfall, this will be one of the easiest and shortest hikes in the Columbia River Gorge.
7. Punchbowl Falls
Distance: 4.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
Estimated Time: 2.5 hours
Location: Cascade Locks, OR
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Following the popular Eagle Creek Trail through the Columbia River Gorge will lead you to the beautiful Punchbowl Falls.
This is a pretty easy trail with just a gradual incline throughout it.
You’ll, unfortunately, get to see some of the aftermaths of the Eagle Creek Fire that is very present in this area.
There are multiple waterfalls along this trail including Wauna and Metlako Falls that you’ll pass along the way.
The turn-off for Lower Punchbowl Falls can be found about 2 miles down the trail.
You can take the spur trail any time of the year, but you won’t be able to access the lower falls unless the water is low in late summer.
The main viewpoint for Punchbowl Falls is just about 1/4 mile further up the trail, where you’ll be looking down into the beautiful turquoise waters.
It’s pretty obvious why they call this ‘Punchbowl’ Falls because it looks just like its namesake.
Keep walking along the Eagle Creek Trail and you’ll come across many more waterfalls, including Tunnel Falls.
8. Dry Creek Falls
Distance: 4.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Estimated Time: 2.5 hours
Location: Cascade Locks, OR
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
This easy, winding trail on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge will lead you through the mossy, green forest.
Besides a pretty shallow incline and some loose rocks, the trail is pretty flat and is perfect for beginner hikers.
It’s a bit on the longer side with not much else to see but the waterfall at the end, but that’s what makes it all worth it.
With so many of the other falls being crowded all the time, a trip to Dry Creek Falls is refreshing.
The 74-foot waterfall plunges down into Dry Creek, which runs through the surrounding forest.
The unique cliffs surrounding the waterfall make it feel like you’re in some sort of fairytale. It’s truly beautiful!
9. Angel’s Rest
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
Estimated Time: 3 hours
Location: Corbett, OR
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Out of all the hikes on this list, I would say that Angel’s Rest is probably the most difficult with the most elevation gain.
The hike up is pretty rocky and it’s a pretty steady climb, so I would say it’s more suited for an advanced beginner (I know… that makes no sense).
But if you’re up for a bit more work, this is worth it because you’ll get some of the best views of the Columbia River Gorge.
Once you get to the top, you’ll be met with magnificent 360-degree views of the entire area.
You’ll look around and see the Gorge, mountains in the distance, thousands of trees, and rocky cliffs.
Visit during the sunrise and you’ll be absolutely blown away by the color that fills the sky.
It’s one of the shortest hikes to get these views, so if you can do it, I highly recommend it!
10. Elowah Falls
Distance: 2.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Location: Warrendale, OR
Pass Required: Discover
Elowah Falls is a more secluded waterfall in the Gorge that is much less visited than some of the other waterfalls in the area.
You’ll get to see both Elowah and Upper McCord Creek Falls on this short, 2.4-mile roundtrip hike.
Wander through the forest on this trail and look for more evidence of the Eagle Creek Fire that devastatingly tore through the Gorge in 2017.
It’s a pretty family-friendly hike to the 213-foot single-drop waterfall.
Note: The trail to Elowah Falls is currently closed due to a landslide, but you can still get to Upper McCord Creek Falls.
11. Wahclella Falls
Distance: 1.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 230 feet
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Location: Cascade Locks, OR
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
This hike through the forest next to some steep drop-offs leads you to the magnificent Wahclella Falls.
The highly impressive two-tiered waterfall drops through a canyon of green, moss-covered rocks.
While this hike is popular, it’s just long enough that some of the tourists searching for fast hikes aren’t going for it.
I also love turning Wahclella Falls into a rainy day adventure because it has enough tree coverage and is even less busy.
Following Tanner Creek for the entire trail makes for a nice trail, and allows you to also see Munra Falls.
It’s a short hike with just very little elevation gain making it a great choice for families and beginner hikes.
As one of the best easy hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, you’ll definitely want to check it out.
12. Coyote Wall
Distance: 6.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,700 feet
Estimated Time: 4 hours
Location: White Salmon, WA
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
This is the longest hike on this list with the most amount of elevation gain, but trust me when I say that it’s so worth the effort.
During the springtime, the area around Coyote Wall turns into a magical wonderland of wildflowers.
Purple lupine and yellow balsamroot fill the fields with bright pops of color on a green background of grass.
This long hike winds through an open field sitting high above the Columbia River Gorge in Washington.
On a clear day, you’ll be able to spot the 11,249-foot Mount Hood in the distance, peeking high above the Gorge.
Coyote Wall is great during other seasons as well, but it’s especially spectacular during the spring, and I highly recommend saving it for the wildflower season.
13. Sherrard Point
Distance: 0.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 100 feet
Estimated Time: 20 minutes
Location: Bridal Veil
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
While quite a ways further away than most of the other hikes on this list, Sherrard Point is an excellent place to visit.
It’s a very easy 0.6-mile hike from the parking lot to a gated viewpoint overlooking the rolling hills in southern Washington.
Make sure that you plan this hike for a clear day because you’re going to want to see the views.
From this viewpoint, you’ll be able to see Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and Mount Jefferson.
Yes, that’s 5 huge mountains from just one single viewpoint.
And since it’s one of the best short hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, it’s highly worth the extra drive to reach the Sherrard Point trailhead!
Is it Free to Visit the Columbia River Gorge?
While it is technically ‘free’ to visit the Columbia River Gorge, you will need a pass to park and hike almost anywhere.
A Northwest Forest Pass is the most common pass for the trailheads in the area, but some also take a Discover Pass.
Currently, you’ll also need a $2 permit to enter the waterfall corridor on the Oregon side, which is helping to keep the traffic and crowds lower.
Best Time to Visit the Columbia River Gorge
The Gorge is a pretty great place to hike during most months of the year, but spring and summer are usually the best choices.
In the spring, waterfalls are flowing at their strongest and you’ll experience them at their best.
In the summer, trails are clear of snow and the sun is out, making it one of the best times for hiking in the PNW.
One of the best parts of the Columbia River Gorge is that it’s usually accessible during the winter months when others aren’t.
High elevation hikes in Oregon and Washington tend to have a lot of snow, sometimes into late July.
These lower elevation hikes in the Gorge that still offer epic views are perfect for getting out in the winter.
Tips for Hiking in the Pacific Northwest
Conclusion: Easy Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is such a great place to hike because of its close proximity to Portland and Vancouver.
Since you can hike most times of the year without having to worry about snow, it’s a great destination for all seasons.
These easy hikes in the Columbia River Gorge are great options for beginner and advanced hikers alike.
