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On my first road trip to Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, I followed the crowds to the famous Multnomah Falls without realizing I was only scratching the surface of the region. While the falls are stunning, there is so much more to do!
Disclosure: This itinerary was part of a hosted partnership with Hood-Gorge.com. #HoodGorge
Lucky for me, I finally got to return and explore for 4 days in Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood territory. This meant supporting local communities and experiences beyond the beaten path; I’m excited to share my favorite things to do in the greater Columbia River Gorge region with this 4-day Hood-Gorge itinerary!
What to know about Mt. Hood + the Columbia River Gorge
First, before staying 4 days in Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood, here is some quick background information about the area to get your bearings.
The Columbia River Gorge is a river canyon right outside of Portland, Oregon and stretches over 80 miles long! The area along the river is the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, which you can access by driving the Historic Columbia River Highway.
It is a great US road trip, and a West Coast favorite for summer travel and fall foliage! People most often visit this area for hikes, waterfalls, and river adventures during warmer months but so many come to the region for winter mountain sports too (skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling), which Mt. Hood territory is perfect for.
Mt. Hood is part of the greater Columbia River Gorge region and also part of the Cascade Mountain range. To make the most of visiting the region, it is a great idea to explore destinations along the river and in the mountains. What I love about the 4-day itinerary below, is it combines it all!
How to get to Mt. Hood + the Columbia River Gorge
Best ways to get to the Hood Gorge area.
Driving: If you’re from out of town, the best way to get to Columbia River Gorge is to fly into Portland (PDX) and rent a car. There are also options for chartered driver services (more costly), shuttle/bus transportation, or ride-sharing.
- Caution: if renting a car, rent a 4×4 vehicle and get chains during snow months. Even in the spring (April) we encountered a snowy road through the valley in Mt. Hood territory.
Buses and shuttles: If you choose the shuttle/bus, you can get shuttles to Mt. Hood from Portland via the Sandy Transit Center aboard the Mt. Hood Express, but you will be limited to the popular ski village route. Also, check Flixbus and Gorge Transit for bus routes available: like Hood River and The Dalles.
Ride shares: For ride shares, Oregon also has a unique ride-sharing system called “Get There Oregon” where you can coordinate a trip or carpool to the region.
Things to do in Mt. Hood + Columbia River Gorge (Itinerary)
This four day itinerary will start with exploring Mt. Hood territory and end along the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Day 1: Welcome to Hood-Gorge!
On day 1 of your 4 days in Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge, you’ll fly into Portland’s airport (PDX) and rent a car. I prefer Hertz rental cars because I have Gold status through my AMEX Platinum, but the airport provides plenty of rental car options.
On the way driving into the Mt. Hood territory, stop by Sandy, Oregon. This is where you can visit the Jonsrud View Point for pristine views of the landscape. If it’s a clear day, you might even see Mt. Hood’s snowcapped peak!
While there, I recommend stopping by the Tollgate Inn Bakery and Restaurant for lunch. They are also known for their fresh pies, so I got a classic apple pie. After that, we drove to one of the Villages of Mt. Hood, called Welches, to check into our tiny house lodging at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village.
Day 2: Explore the Villages of Mt. Hood in Mt. Hood Territory
On day two, we started the morning with a blissful guided hike on the Old Salmon River trail with Mt. Hood Outfitters. This hike is a local favorite but still fairly quiet, and I found it beginner-friendly.
On the Old Salmon River Trail you can walk through a mossy forest and find meditative moments along the rushing salmon river. This hike is a little over 3 miles with minimal elevation gain.
For food, I enjoyed the bratwurst at Mt. Hood Brewing Co. for lunch and the quirky Koya Kitchen for pan-Asian cuisine (dining in a renovated school bus) at dinner.
Day 3: Kayaking in Estacada and Road Trip to Dufur
On day three, we checked out of our tiny house to drive deeper into the east region. But first, we explored more of Mt. Hood territory; driving to Estacada’s McIver State Park to go kayaking with Adventures Without Limits.
After a couple of hours on Estacada Lake, we drove over to Zoborist St. 20 minutes away; replenishing our fuel at one of their food trucks. We chose Pepe’s Tacos and it did not disappoint.
While in the area, walk off those tacos and explore local street art with a self guided mural walking tour. There are 20 murals throughout the town, all walking distance, and you can find them with a map from Artback Collective.
After exploring Estacada, we began the journey to the Columbia River Gorge region; this second half of the trip will be a stay at the historic Balch Hotel in Dufur.
- Driving tip on getting from Estacada to Dufur: It takes about 1h 45m minutes to get from Estacada to Dufur. We followed GPS to cut through the valley during mid-April and that was a mistake. Once we got on OR-211N to connect to US-26 we realized the snow was unplowed, icy, and didn’t feel safe… especially since we didn’t get tire chains with our rental! Instead we made the quick decision to u-turn and select the GPS’s alternate route, which takes you along the historic river highway/I-84; a much better decision with stunning scenery!
When you finally get to Dufur, the best dinner spot in town is at the Balch Hotel so secure a reservation when you check in. It is called Bistro 1907.
Day 4: Hiking and Tasting the East Gorge
Dufur was our base for visiting the river gorge, while staying at the historic Balch Hotel. More details on the hotels we booked, below. Thanks to Dufur’s location, we got to explore towns like The Dalles and Mosier while enjoying the flavors of the East Gorge Food Trail. All of my food recommendations for day 4 are part of that food trail. (Here is a map)
For brunch, I recommend The Riv Cafe in The Dalles, which is in a renovated church and super modern; serving meals like chicken and waffles and eggs Benedict. After brunch you can use this time to explore the town, whether that is walking along the river, perusing the shops, or visiting the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.
- Note: even on warm days it can get windy by the river so bring a jacket and hold on to your hats!
Next to The Dalles is one of my favorite destinations: Mosier! This is the gorge’s wine country and a highlight of my 4 days in Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge, thanks to the good vibes and endless views. Here, you can have a picnic wine tasting lunch at Analemma Winery.
Their 20-mile picnic exclusively sources local ingredients from within 20 miles of the vineyard: a perfect pairing with wine crafted 100% from Columbia Gorge fruit. Kris, the co-owner, gave a guided tour of the property and pairing for a personalized touch. Of course we also bought some wine to bring home (the Mencia wine was a favorite).
While in Mosier, get your body moving with a scenic hike. Near Analemma there is the 3.5 mile RT Mosier Plateau Trail, offering colorful wildflowers along switchbacks and a panoramic backdrop of the river and rolling hills. There is a bit more elevation gain on this hike, so take water and ensure sun coverage. I definitely had to take some breaks!
For dinner, you can stay in town or head back to Dufur for dinner at Bistro 1907. Alternatively, you can check to see if the Balch Hotel has a specialty hosted dinner.
During my trip, they held a unique Guatemalan winemaker’s dinner hosted by their in-house chef and the co-owner of Tierra de Lobos winery (who both happen to be brothers). Together with their mother, they curated an exquisite authentic Guatemalan menu pairing. The Rosé from Tierra de Lobos was my favorite wine so of course we bought some.
Where to stay in the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood Territory
As previously mentioned, we stayed in two different towns during our 4 days in Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. One was a unique glamping experience and the other was in a historic hotel. Here are the details for your visit:
Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, OR: This fun glamping experience in Mt. Hood Territory keeps you out in nature and offers a chance to try out tiny house living. Equipped with a kitchen, small refrigerator, and full working bathroom, it is a fun stay for the adventurous traveler. This lodging option is close to Mt. Hood Village and Old Salmon River trail hike.
Historic Balch Hotel in Dufur, OR: Further into the East Gorge region near The Dalles, you can stay at the famous historic Balch Hotel and experience its antique touches and simplistic design. While the town of Dufur itself is pretty quiet, it is just a short drive from The Dalles, which is perfect for foodies on the East Gorge Food Trail.
- Note for low-impact travelers or accessible needs: both of these options above require some form of climbing. The tiny house had a ladder for the top bed and the bottom floor’s bed entrance was narrow. At the Balch Hotel, there is no elevator and stairs are required to access the rooms. Read on for an alternate suggestion if you have accessibility needs.
Columbia River Hotel in The Dalles, OR: Located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, this is a lovely, well-rated hotel that is also wheelchair accessible (ie. no stairs or climbing). The Columbia River Hotel (Ascend Collection) is right in The Dalles, so you can explore the area and hop over to Mosier’s wine country with ease.
I hope you found this guide and itinerary helpful! Enjoy your 4 days in Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge.
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