Gorge Hikes, Oregon
Eagle Creek | 8 miles | 700 ft of elevation gain | There are many Eagle Creek hikes, depending on how much time you have and whether you hike to Punch Bowl Falls (4.5 mile hike), High Bridge, Tunnel Falls (12 mile hike), or beyond.
Herman Creek | 11.5 miles | 1700 ft of elevation gain | Like the Eagle Creek Trail, there are lots of options here. I went past Nick Eaton Falls (4.5 mile round trip, for a good family option) to the Whiskey Creek crossing. A good hike for lilies and columbine and experiencing the contrast between burn zone and unscathed forest.
Horsetail, Ponytail, Oneonta, and Triple Falls | 7.5 miles | 2000 ft of elevation gain | You can’t go through Oneonta Gorge any more but you can still get a few glimpses of it on the way to Triple Falls (and beyond).
Looking for info about:
Mt Defiance or Larch Mountain? Visit “Coolest 13+ Mile Hikes.”
Wahclella Falls and Wahkeena Falls? Visit “Family Friendly Hikes.”
Latourell Falls and Dry Creek Falls? Visit “Best Waterfall Hikes.”
Angels Rest | 4.5 miles | 1500 ft of elevation gain | My oldest kiddo and I have done this one twice. Nice for its shorter distance and stunning payoff of Gorge views both east and west.
Multnomah-Wahkeena Falls Loop | 5.5 miles | 1600 ft of elevation gain | Six major waterfalls. Opportunities for longer hikes (Larch Mtn, Devil’s Peak, Angel’s Rest). Opportunities for shorter hikes, just to the top of Multnomah Falls, or to Fairy Falls starting from the Wahkeena Falls Trailhead. A Columbia River Gorge “bucket list” hike, for sure!
Ornament Trail | 11 miles | 2700 ft of elevation gain | A secret trail! A little hard to find at least. Use a guide for the Larch Mountain Trail and keep an eye out for the Ornament Trail turnoff, which also takes you to another hidden gem, Nesika Lodge. Ornaments abound during the holiday season.