Well....this will be one of the easiest reviews for me to write. Waterfall Alley!!! This area is…read moresimply FANTASTIC! Situated along scenic 74 mile Columbia River Gorge...I'd say it's about a 7 - 9 mile stretch of nothing but majestically perfect waterfalls! Along my cross country road trip I had the Columbia River Gorge on my to-do list...but I never expected such a stretch of waterfalls! I was in awe! This area is as good as it gets!!! One of the best places I visited in the USA! And for those who'd like to come here...it's simple. Waterfall Alley is located about 25 miles away from Portland....right on the borders of Oregon and Washington. I actually spent 2 full days exploring along the Columbia River Gorge...yet all the action...all the highlights...all my best memories came from here at Waterfall Alley, bar none! Here's a list of my favorite waterfalls and how I'd rank them, lol... 1. Multnomah Falls is the main event. It's the 4th tallest waterfall in the United States with the Upper Falls measuring at 542 feet and the Lower Falls at 69 feet high. There's a bridge connecting the base of the upper falls to the peak of the lower falls....it's a photographer's paradise! Unfortunately during this summer of 2020 amidst the pandemic, the bridge was closed. My advice for exploring is to arrive FIRST THING IN THE MORNING or it gets real crowded, real quick. Then you'll have tourists interrupting your pictures. There's a giant parking lot right off the Columbia River Gorge. It's free to park and viewing Multnomah Falls is free as well. 2. Latourell Falls - the first major waterfall you'll come upon while driving the CRG. Parking can be tight here. It's a short short walk to the base of the falls. Latourell Falls is 269 feet high! I climbed on some rocks and sat down to grab superb photos of it's entirety with myself in the pictures. I was thrilled to be here! It genuinely set the tone for Waterfall Way. You can hike to the top of Latourell Falls but what good would that be looking down from high above? All you need are photos at the base...and you'll be in pure bliss, lol. 3. Horsetail Falls - right before Multnomah Falls, this Horsetail Falls is located literally right off the side of the road. You can see this 176 foot waterfall as you're driving. I found parking here to be quite difficult and had to wait till someone eventually moved. Horsetail Falls is so unique being close to the road and yet the 176 foot drop was extremely impressive! 4. Bridal Veil Falls - this was a quiet area of Waterfall Way. There were 2 short walking paths here and one of them brings you to Bridal Veil Falls - a double cascading waterfall. Although it's not one sheer drop...I still appreciated this. I guess I just got spoiled by all the wonderful surroundings along the CRG. Bridal Veil Falls is easily accessible and there's a viewing platform. But I stepped below the viewing overlook platform and got myself in a few photos with Bridal Veil Falls in the background. 5. Wahkeena Falls - close to Multnomah Falls. Parking here was almost impossible. Finally I discovered some grass off the road where I parked. For Wahkeena Falls, I had to hike up a trail a short distance (about 1/2 a mile). Upon arriving at what I thought was Wahkeena Falls, I was slightly disappointed by the appearance. It was one basic waterfall trickling down the canyon walls. I took a few pics and decided to hike higher...but never uncovered any significantly worthwhile views. Ultimately, I just walked back down the trail. Overall, this Waterfall Alley was simply spectacular! If you skipped driving the rest of the Columbia River Gorge and just witnessed these waterfalls (humbling in and of themselves)...it would still make for quite a fulfilling day trip. Lastly, these waterfalls were virtually all roadside stops. You barely have to navigate hard to arrive at any of them. This Pacific Northwest area of the country is hands down 5 stars!

I've chosen this listing, "Waterfall Alley," because that's what the trek feels like. This could…read morealso be commingled with the Columbia River National Scenic Area, but that includes more than just waterfalls. Also, while reviewed and photographed separately, Multnomah Falls is within Waterfall Alley, and is the highlight of this drive. Coming from the west, and presumably from Portland, it is best to get off at Corbett (exit 22) and wind up the road to the Vista House, following all the signs at about 2 or 3 forks in the road. The view over the Columbia River Gorge is gorge(ous), especially on a clear day and the "alley" to all the falls seemingly begins there. The day of the visit was not amenable to picture taking of the panorama. The falls along the way include Latourell, Wahkeena, Bridal Veil, Multnomah, the rippling waters through Oneonta Gorge, and Horsetail. They all have different personalities, with some having trails up to them and others being "that's all, folks." Regardless, this road is a collection of natural treasures and a must for anyone visiting the Portland area, because it gives a feel for the unspoiled natural wonders in this corner of the state, though they don't necessarily define the entire state. If I had to pick a Top 5 for logos of Oregon, they would be: (1) the Portland skyline with Mount Hood looming beyond, (2) Multnomah Falls, (3) Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, (4) Crater Lake, and (5) a meadow of Ponderosa type pine and mountains near Bend or Redmond, in Oregon's interior. So, there you have it, one of the five best Oregon highlights, and then some, are contained within this easy drive!

Wide paved trail, gorgeous scenery, beautiful vistas. I wish for a continuous trail from The…read moreDalles to Portland.

Sweeping views of the majestic Columbia River and basalt cliffs lead you to the Mosier Twin…read moreTunnels, a stunning piece of engineering that has been restored. Located on the original Scenic Highway, which is now the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and is a car free zone, the trail offers those walking, jogging or cycling stunning views of the Columbia River, beautiful in every season. The trail is 4.5 miles and connects Mosier in the east to Hood River in the west with parking lots on both ends. A State Parks Pass ( $5 ) is required and the views are more than worth it! A payment box and envelopes are provided, but make sure you have a pen to fill in the info. There are restrooms and they are the open toilet type, so this is not the time to drop your cellphone! If you start in Mosier, park in Mark O. Hatfield Trailhead Lot East which is actually past the start of the trailhead. After paying for the pass, head right out of the lot and just a short distance down the hill on the left is the entrance. You will pass through an area filled with granite and lava rocks and many trees damaged by the fires - then you will continue up and the path will run high above and parallel to the river. Parts of the trail have the classic white fence railing and some parts have the original stone railings with arches giving glimpses of the view below. Continue on the trail for approximately one mile and you will arrive at the tunnels. The first tunnel has an incredible wooden structure entry, it's magnificent! As you walk through, it becomes rock and very cavernous. There are a few side passages that lead to windows with views to 18 Mile Island and the river. You will then come to a rock catchment structure, added during restoration in the 1990s, and then the second tunnel. Beyond the tunnels the trail continues west for another 3.4 miles. At the Mark O. Hatfield Parking West, where there is an interpretive center that provides more detail on the tunnels and the Historic Highway. I was in awe of the views and couldn't stop taking pictures along the way! Since it's the end of March, the trees were not yet bloomed so the views of the river were mostly unobstructed. Wildflowers like the grass widow and dessert parsley were just starting to bloom. I'll be back in a few weeks when the trail will be filled with glorious flowers! Ponderosa pines are everywhere as are pinecones! There is a viewpoint right before the East entry to the tunnels. It will only set you back 1/10 of a mile and it's totally worth walking to for a full 180 degree vantage point. There is even a picnic table nearby for resting or a lunch break. These tunnels are a marvel! Built in 1921, the tunnels were created to get through a high rock point. The design was inspired by the Axenstrasse on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. Although beautiful and a highlight for those driving this route, rockfalls were common and accidents frequent so the original Scenic Highway was abandoned in 1954 and a new Scenic Highway built at water level. By the 1990s, the tunnels were completely filled with rock rubble; in the mid 90s work began to restore the tunnels. It was a massive undertaking and now the tunnels and road has been transformed for everyone to enjoy. The Mosier Tunnels are a must see! The trail is easy since it's paved - which is a requirement for me and my knees - so it's family friendly and a doable hike for most anyone. There is a gradual elevation to 430 feet if you start on the east side. There is one handicapped parking spot right at the trailhead entry. Dogs on leashes are allowed. Bicycles and e-bikes but no motorized skateboards. If you are walking, be aware of the cyclists as they go fast when heading downhill to the east end. After exploring the Mosier Twin Tunnels, drive down to the quaint town of Mosier and have a delicious tamale, taco or burrito at either of the two taco trucks. Stellar coffee and scones are a must at Randonnee Coffee. Casual dinner at MoCo (Mosier Company) at the outdoor picnic tables and fire pits is always a good choice. And take the short drive up to Rowena Crest for more iconic views!

Latourell Falls was the first waterfall that my wife, her mom, and I stopped by, at 8:00 am. There…read moreis a parking paved angled parking lot with 30 spots. There are stairs from the lot, giving a complete view of the falls, requires going up 60 steps with 8 intermediate landings. My 85 year old mother in law was able to do with help and frequent stops. One can walk down a path (about a 3 minute walk) to get to the base of the waterfall, which is what I did by myself. The sound (and smell) of the water was so nice: could have stayed here much longer but we had other waterfalls to see. Notes: - named after Joseph "Frenchy" Latourell, a 19th-century settler. - 224 feet high

Latourell Falls is the second biggest one is the Columbia Scenic Driveway. There's a parking lot…read moreand road side parking available. There are two paths from the lot, one through stairs to an observation deck, and another one down the trail to the bottom of the fall. The trail is short 2 minutes walk on even path. Dress properly for wet and misty weather, and have proper shoes. The prime location is corner spot right in front of the fall. The pathway continues thru an old bridge. You can actually walk behind the waterfall following the path, the unique aspect of the waterfall. When we arrived at the fall, parking lot was full, so we parked on the side of the road. The trail was little wet, so we walked carefully to the prime spot. The fall looked stunning. The water flow was much stronger than other falls. Some visitors were brave to walk all the way to the back of the fall. This was my favorite fall among all of them in the area.

This one is gorgeous. Small parking lot. The hike is 2/3 mile round trip but worth every step!…read morePlenty of benches along the way for breaks...or naps. Many photo opps here. Look for the sun shining through the trees at just the right time.

What a great workout & beautiful hike definately gets the heart rate up. Bring sturdy hiking…read moreshoes. Arrive before 11 on weekends if you want a chance at a parking spot. DON'T park where your car will hang over the white line or your vehicle will be marked with a big red "TOW" I gave this a 4 star cause its so incredibly busy on the weekend.

Wahclella Falls is my favorite easy hike near PDX. It's about 2 miles and is an out and back trail…read morewith a waterfall. It takes a little over half an hour to complete and has one of the most interesting waterfalls in the gorge.

On the list of No spend summer activities Hiking has to be my favorite especially if its in the…read morePNW . Not too far from Portland this hike is short and fun and it does award you with gorgeous views at certain points . We had a 5 year old with us who was easily able to do most parts of it . The waterfall is two tiered and the pool it falls into is perfect for a dip. The biggest challenge is the parking and we saw plenty of people get tickets .

It is such a beautiful and scenic drive each and every time going through the Columbia River Gorge!…read moreIt's something I never tire of and there are so many things to go see both on the Oregon and Washington side of the Gorge. One of the most notable places to stop is Multnomah Falls. It's a highly popular place and it is certainly understandable as to why but it is best to go early. You may even need to look into getting a reservation in order to get a parking space as well... because yes... it is actually that popular all year round. There are so many cute little towns through the Gorge as well. Hood River is a favorite of ours and I believe it's a favorite for a lot of people but Cascade Locks is nice as well and the Washington side has cute towns as well. On the Oregon side is Interstate 84 but don't explore this Interstate or route as a quick, brisk route to get east to west (or vice versa) as you cannot go typical Interstate speed through the Gorge. The curvature of the road and through this long stretch simply doesn't allow you to do that so it would be worth looking into alternate routes as possible if quickness is the only thing in mind otherwise you kind of just have to endure the reduced speeds. The Columbia River itself one doesn't have to repeat how beautiful it is but it's understandable if you do. River activities never fail to mesmerize. Like the group of people we once saw sailing down the river with boogie boards ( perhaps there's another name for it I'm not in the know with that) and the almost other worldly appearance of numerous fisherman on boats once fishing season was in full swig in the early morning. It's something one can never get tired of, The Columbia Gorge and I enjoy it each and every time I drive through it. It's breathtaking and truly one of essential drives to partake if visiting Oregon.

This area is an absolute must see if you are in the Portland area. It is really gorgeous. We drove…read moreto the visitor center and from there hiked up toward Multnomah Falls. It is a great way to get your steps in while surrounded by nature at its finest. There a number of waterfalls in this area and if you don't have time to get out and hike, there are some that can be seen from your car while driving by. We spent most of a day driving and hiking to the waterfalls using a map we got from the visitor center. It was raining during our visit, but we still got to see some beautiful scenery. There's a restaurant at Multnomah Falls Lodge in case you are looking for a place for lunch while in the area.

A simple yet beautiful trail that is fully paved and meanders down towards the river providing…read morevast, expansive views of the magnificent Columbia River. If you visit during wildflower season, it's even more beautiful with colorful wildflowers covering the fields. This trail is one of the few ADA accessible, which I really appreciate. While I do not use a wheelchair, I do have a disability and my legs can not handle the dirt and rock trails that are uneven. So having a paved path means that I can enjoy the gorgeous nature in this area. Wildflower season ranges from end of March to June, but every year is different based on the weather. This year (2022) was a very cold and rainy spring which delayed and prolonged the season. In April the hills were covered in yellow balsomroot and then blue lupine. End of May and heading into June, the next wave of flowers brings shades of blue from the delicate cornflowers with California poppies providing vibrant pops of orange Along the way. It's stunning! Wildflower season is my favorite season! Along the path there are many benches for those wanting to just relax and chill; some in the shade, some in the sun. There are also placards providing info on the area, the wildflowers, and the importance of pollination. The Catherine Creek paved trail is south of the parking area, which is a gravel section along Highway 8. Cross the street, the access is just past the porta potty. If you want the Catherine Creek Arch trail, it is on the same side as the parking, just head up the hill on the dirt trail. It's an easy 1.5 mile paved path that does have some declines and inclines as you make your way down, around, and then back up. If you head clockwise, you can see the creek to your left. If you decide to go off the paved path down to the creek, know there is a lot of poison oak and ticks. I stayed on the path, which is clear and well maintained. Note for wheelchair users - the path is wide and paved, but there are some areas where it slopes down and then makes it way back up. Another great thing about Catherine Creek Trail and Catherine Creek Arch Loop is that parking is free, no day pass required. The parking area is on the smaller side and on weekends, especially during wildflower time, it does get crowded. I went midweek and there was plenty of parking and I only came across two people on the path. Great for people of all ages and skills. For expert hikers, do the Catherine Arch first then finish with Catherine Creek.

The trailhead was pretty busy Saturday afternoon, but there's a decent amount of parking along Old…read moreHwy 8 at the head. There are trails on both sides of the Hwy...according to the trail map only two above 8 and one below within Catherine Creek, but another trail leads towards Coyote Wall. We only took one uphill loop this day. The trails are quite narrow and the footing mostly uneven and rocky. The views are stunning throughout, and the flowers are emerging. As the trails wind mostly through the open ridge there is almost no shade...sunblock sunblock! It's an enjoyable spot for a hike for sure, although for me not quite AS pretty as the nearby Labyrinth Trail. We will definitely return to complete the other trails...good times.

What a lovely idea! Paving and renewing the old Columbia River Highway and making it a walking…read moretrail. Wide enough for bikes and walkers to pass without disturbing each other. The paths are probably as wide as they once were many years ago with older cars, horse and carriage, which is plenty wide enough. Fairly flat, it does have some raises in elevation, but it is really not bad at all. Lovely views. It is an easy walk, and closed to motorized vehicles. Honestly, this was my favorite part of my recent trip to Portland and I hope to walk other parts of this trail.

My wife and I were looking for a nice easy hike right outside of Portland and we found one!…read more It is a paved road that is blocked off to cars and it has beautiful views of the Columbia River. I didn't realize how huge the Columbia was. It was a perfect day and everyone we passed by was super friendly. Great walking trail for someone who isn't a fan of off-road hiking like me. Give it a shot!