5 Easy Hikes in the Gorge

Truth is there are more than 5 easy hikes, but these are super easy to get to, and they are all very close together on the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway.  As with most hiking in Oregon you can choose to go farther at nearly every stop.  Got to love Oregon.

Our Day trip started out at Crown Point, this can be easily access (if leaving Portland and heading East) by taking the Corbet Exit.

Crown Point has a great view, but be warned it's very windy up there.  We stopped for a moment just to take in the view.  Luckily the visitor center was open and we were able to look from there. We were then given this nifty map of all the Falls that were to follow.

1.  Latoruell Falls ~ The parking lot is right off the road and you can hike either up or down to see the falls.  We always hike down because you can walk right up to it and cross a bridge right by it.  It will take less than 5 minutes to get to the falls.  You can see it immediately and that path is paved, bumpy, but paved.

Latourell Falls

2.  Bridal Veil Falls ~  This one is a short hike from the car, because we were in a hurry we weren't able to make the effort.  There will always be next time though, right??  If you were on 1-84 at this point you would see Bridal Veil and all that is there is a little tiny post office.  Lots of locals go there just to mail their wedding invitations.

3.  Wahkeena Falls ~ This is one of my favorites.  Again you park at the bottom of the Falls.  You could, if you really wanted too, just stay in your car and look at this falls.  You can take a quick switch back trail that will lead you to the middle of the falls.  It's fun, it's easy and it's so beautiful.

Wahkeena Falls

4.  Multnomah Falls ~ One of the top tourist attractions in Oregon.  I have to agree it is spectacular.  There is actually an exit right off I-84 that drops you into their very own parking lot.  The problem with taking the freeway is you don't have access to all the other waterfalls.

5.  Horsetail Falls ~ There is no hiking at all to get to this one, but you can walk down into the water, which is probably nice on a hot summer day.

As you go along this Scenic Highway you see all kinds of trail heads.  Each one is carefully marked with how far each trail is and where they lead too.

So put on your shoes and make your way out to experience the Gorge, you won't be disappointed.