historic columbia river highway state trail

You will love this spectacular hike along the Columbia River. Along the way you will discover the most beautiful view of the river & surrounding countryside. The best are the Twin Mosier Tunnels built in. 1921 and recently restored. Only one mile to the tunnels but the entire trail is a 4.6 miles.

Mosier was a great stop along Historic Route 30 in Oregon, off the beaten path, but so lovely. I parked in the center of this small town and just walked around and explored. I was impressed by the historic buildings and of course loved the views of the Columbia River. Worth stopping.Do not miss the Rowena Crest turnout in addition to Mosier and Cascade Locks.

Quite liked the countryside of farms and wineries. This was an interesting overview of the area history.

The Columbia Gorge is amazing in itself with the views, waterfalls, etc. We wanted to see the mountains so a local suggested we visit Larch mountain, in mt hood national park. From the top, we could see Mt Ranier, Mt Jefferson, Mt Hood, Mt Adams and Mt St Helens - all from the top of the forest! What an incredible view worth the extra drive. If driving from Portland, after visiting Women's Forum, take the Larch mountain road (.5 miles or so after forum). Drive on Larch mountain road for 14 miles until you get to parking lot. You then hike about 1/4 mile with steep steps at end. Worth the effort!! Not many signs nor tourists.

The trail is a single wide paved road closed to motorized vehicles. You can walk or bike the trail . There are some shaded areas, so you are not always in the sun. There are picnic tables and viewpoints. 4.5 miles from one end of the trailhead to the other. The trailhead in Mosier is more rustic than the Hood River trailhead. There is no water at the Mosier trailhead. I'd like to return and do this route again in the fall.

I am writing about the section of the old highway that runs from Mosier toward Hood River up to the twin tunnels. This is a section that is not open to vehicles but can easily be used by bikes or pedestrians. It still has the feel of the old highway, with the man made rock walls along the edges, alternating with the white wood guardrails, and of course the twin tunnels. There are several sections of the old highway that can still be driven by car, but this section isn't one. The tunnels are interesting to walk through as they were built in an era when there wasn't nearly as much traffic. People would take the time to stop and take in the scenery, which is plentiful along this highway. Part of the tunnel's design included viewing windows to look out at the Columbia river down below and a stairway cut into the rock ledge outside of the tunnels for people to get a view from outside the tunnels. You can still walk out to the viewing windows. The stairs along the ledge have been closed off, however you can still see them. There are several other sections of the road that have been closed to traffic but available to biking or walking along the length of the highway between Bonneville Dam and Mosier. A brochure with maps is available at the Crown Point Vista House, Multnomah Falls, or the Mark Hatfield Trailhead Visitor Center just east of Hood River. This is well worth the walk if you enjoy the history of this highway or just the scenery of the Columbia River Gorge. There is an Oregon State Park fee to park at either end of this section of the highway trail.

The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail is a portion of the historic highway that was converted to pedestrian and bike use only. Multiple trailheads are located throughout the Columbia Gorge. Our favorite part of the trail is the portion between Hood River and Mosier. Granted, it is a bit out of the way from Portland, but well worth a visit. An Oregon State Park permit is required to park. The path is wide and paved and and has many views of the Columbia below. There are occasional steeper sections to consider if you are biking with children but nothing too bad. Hiking from Hood River to Mosier one encounters a transition zone in the forest going from more western spruce forests to eastern arid landscapes which is quite interesting. If interested primarily in the Mosier Twin Tunnels park at the Mosier end of the trail, otherwise we prefer the Hood River end which has a visitor center. The Twin Tunnels are interesting, with graffiti from a party that got snowed in and stuck here in 1921 found on the north wall. Walking the entire section of the trail out and back is about 9 miles and can be done in 3 hours due to the mostly gentle grade, shorter walks or bike trips are also worthwhile.

The Historic Columbia Highway is the perfect example of a "drive". This is not just another stretch of road to get over as fast as you can to get from where you were to where you want to be, this is a beautifully planned and executed gift to the driving/walking/biking/photographing public that should be enjoyed with plenty of time and a real concentration of being in the moment. Classic stone work at every turn of the highway, trees draped in moss, waterfalls framed in stonework invite you to slow down, sit a spell, take deep breaths, be in a perfect moment. We have driven this highway for more than twenty years and never fail to find some new vision in any season. We stop, take pictures of lush greenery, remember past visits, listen to the water and the birds with the background hum of the interstate far in the background. Oh, and remember to stop at Multnomah Falls Lodge and look for books on the road's building - a story that will make you want to keep coming back.

Take the time to drive at least some of this highway on your way from Portland to Hood River or the reverse. It takes longer and you need some patience with other drivers, bikers, and hikers in some areas, but the views are outstanding and you miss many of these staying on the interstate.There are lots of interesting stops like falls you won't see from the new highway.take the time to drive at least part of this highway on your way to

While driving through the historic highway one would would wonder how it was widened and developed from the old highway to what we see now. The highway could be called broader, still cars pose a threat hikers and cyclists and obviously they need to be very careful. The view of the Columbia river form from various locations and altitudes is panoramic!

The scenery is breathtaking with so many different geographies in a short distance. If you just want to hike, beware of speeding cyclists coming around the corner. Take lots of drinking water along, as it's hot in the full sun the closer you get to Mosier at the end of the trail.