Oregon Bicycle Tour: Columbia Gorge

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival

   Meet your tour leaders at the RiverPlace Hotel in Portland for a spin through the city along a bike path that Bicycling magazine describes as a “must ride.” Follow the Willamette River as it passes through natural areas before returning to the bustling downtown area. The RiverPlace Hotel is one of Portland’s premiere hotels and is located in a beautiful park-like setting overlooking the Willamette River. This luxury boutique property is just steps from shops and restaurants lining the pedestrian walkway along the banks of the river. Unwind in the whirlpool or sauna, and then enjoy a glass of wine before dining in the hotel’s restaurant that overlooks the marina.
   

   • 15.5 miles
   • RiverPlace Hotel, Portland
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge

   The Columbia River Gorge affords some of the most spectacular scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Construction was completed on the Historic Columbia River Highway in 1922 and the route is designated a National Scenic Byway and National Historic Landmark. This spectacular two-lane road winds past seven waterfalls including Multnomah Falls, the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation. Short hikes along paths at several of the falls enable up-close viewing of these towering cascades. Your leaders will host a delicious picnic lunch along the route.

   The Columbia Gorge Hotel, your home for the next four evenings, is a majestic, landmark property overlooking a 208’ waterfall and the Columbia River Gorge. This evening, relax in the gardens before a welcome reception followed by a fabulous dinner on the terrace of the hotel's dining room - one of the most highly rated in all of Oregon.
   

   Cycling Options: 25km (16mi), 37km (23mi), 57km (36mi) or 69km (43 mi).
   

   • 15.5 miles
   • The Columbia Gorge Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Mount Hood andthe Hood River Valley

   Begin your day with a challenging ride to a remote alpine lake or save some energy for the rest of the day’s activities by getting a lift in the van to the lake where you will enjoy a lovely hike around the lake which offers spectacular views Mount Hood, Oregon’s highest peak at 3425m (11,239ft). You might also opt to paddle a canoe in the crystal-clear waters before your tour leaders host a delicious picnic lunch overlooking the lake and Mount Hood. Coast your way downhill from this alpine oasis into the patchwork farmland of the Hood River Valley. Visit a historic farm with a wide array of options: amazing orchards that produce refreshing pear wines and hard ciders, not to mention fields of flowers, scrumptious fresh fruit, and spectacular mountain views. Ride through pear and apple orchards along the valley’s gently rolling roads. Following a return to the hotel, browse the shops in Hood River and seek out a restaurant for dinner this evening. Beautiful, friendly, and funky Hood River has frequently been named one of the top US towns for outdoor enthusiasts.

   Cycling Options: 56km (35mi) or 78km (49mi)

   Hiking Option: 4.8km (3 mi) available with 56km (35mi) cycling option.
   

   • 34.8 miles
   • The Columbia Gorge Hotel
   • Breakfast and Lunch
4. Day 4Cycle Washington and Raft the White Salmon River

   A short shuttle carries you across the Columbia River (no bikes allowed on the bridge) north to Washington’s quiet roads. Ride past open fields with views extending to massive Mount Adams, the dormant volcano not far from Mount Saint Helens. Pass through a wildlife refuge that provides habitat for a variety of waterfowl, birds of prey, and other wildlife. Ride lightly travelled roads that sweep through farmland and a coniferous forest. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the glacier-fed White Salmon River, one of the first to be designated a Wild & Scenic River. This afternoon, see the countryside from another perspective during an exhilarating raft trip conducted by professional river guides. The White Salmon provides a safe and enjoyable introduction to rafting while still affording a level of excitement. The river alternates between short stretches of Class III and IV rapids and longer sections of flat water. Seasoned guides are at the helm of each raft to ensure safety and fun for all participants. Following your trip on the river, the group will head back to Hood River for sustenance and libations at a local favourite brewery.

   Cycling Options: 41km (26mi) or 53km (33 mi)
   

   • 25.5 miles
   • The Columbia Gorge Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Hike Mount Hood’s Alpine Meadows

   This morning, your guides will lead you on a hike that will feature stunning views and the best examples of wildflowers of the season. Visit Mount Hood’s famed Timberline Lodge, built during the Great Depression as part of the Works Progress Administration’s emergency relief program. Numerous movies have been filmed at the Lodge, including Steven King’s, The Shining. Walk on the glacier and hike along a nearby trail before lunch at the Lodge which features expansive views south over the Cascades. The highest peaks of the Cascades, such as Mount Hood and Mount Adams, are glaciated and remain snow-covered throughout the summer and make for exceptional photographic opportunities. Return to Hood River for an afternoon bike ride, a visit to nearby wineries, a windsurfing lesson, a round of golf, a massage, or hire a guide and go fishing. This evening, toast the week’s adventures with your fellow travellers during a final dinner together in the Columbia Gorge Hotel’s dining room.

   Cycling Option: 27km (17mi)
   

   Hiking Options: 4.8km (3 mi) hike
   

   • 16.8 miles
   • The Columbia Gorge Hotel
   • Breakfast and Dinner
6. Day 6The Rowena Crest and Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

   Your final day of cycling offers spectacular riding through the Gorge to the east of Hood River. Follow a beautiful bike path as it winds out of town to connect with the two-lane Historic Columbia River Highway high above the Gorge. This section of the ride was described by Bicycling magazine as one of the best rides in the US, and the stunning scenery along this winding and rolling route serves to confirm this. Visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, the official interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Exhibits detail the volcanic activity and floods that formed the gorge during the last Ice Age. There are also cultural exhibits related to Lewis & Clark’s journeys as well as the Native American inhabitants so important to the region’s history. Return to the hotel for showers before being transported back to the airport in Portland.

   Cycling Options: 30km (19mi), 38km (24mi), or 75km (47mi).
   

   • 18.6 miles
   • Breakfast and Lunch