Accessible Trails in Oregon's Columbia Gorge

Overview of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

Many of the abandoned or bypassed sections of the Historic Columbia River Highway are restored as hiking/biking trails.

Many of these Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail (HCRH State Trail) sections are wheelchair accessible, some easy, some challenging.

Handicap-only parking is available at the gate at Mosier. Handicap accessible parking spaces are available at the Toothrock, Starvation Creek, Cascade Locks and East and West Senator Mark O. Hatfield Trailheads. Handicap accessible restrooms are available at the two Hatfield Trailheads and Starvation Creek.

HCRH State Trail Segments - Quick Navigation

Tanner Creek to Moffett Creek
Tanner Creek to Eagle Creek (Toothrock Trail)
Eagle Creek to Cascade Locks
Starvation Creek to Viento
Hood River to Moiser (Twin Tunnels Trail)

Other Gorge Trails and Paths to Accessible Viewpoints - Quick Navigation

Tom McCall Nature Preserve
Wahkeena Falls Trail (to bridge below falls)
Multnomah Falls Lower Viewpoint

HCRH State Trail - Tanner Creek to Moffett Creek

Directions:

There is parking at the Toothrock Trailhead or Wahclella Falls Trailhead. The Toothrock trailhead has designated parking, but requires traversing a hill down to Tanner Creek.

From I-84 east, take exit 40 (Bonneville Dam) and turn south at the stop sign. Drive a few hundred yards and park at the Wahclella Falls Trailhead or alternatively, turn left and go up the hill to the Toothrock Trailhead.

Starting from the Toothrock trailhead requires that you traverse a long grade down to Tanner Creek. Parking at the Wahclella Falls Trailhead to start the hike removes this long grade up to Toothrock trailhead upon your return. Unless you are planning on taking both segments, the Wahclella Falls Trailhead at Tanner Creek is the recommended starting point.

Features:

Tanner Creek Bridge to the Moffett Creek Bridge is a 1.4 mile, paved segment of the HCRH State Trail that is wheelchair accessible with minimum altitude changes.

To get to Moffett Creek Bridge, follow the trail west over the Tanner Creek Bridge and under I-84. Gentle switchbacks on the north side of I-84 will bring you to a level path that takes you to the Moffett Creek Bridge.

The bridge was known as an engineering feat at the time of its construction in 1915. It was the longest three-hinge flat-arch bridge in the world. The 170 ft. long arch rises only 17 feet at the center.

HCRH State Trail - Tanner Creek to Eagle Creek (Toothrock Trail)

Directions:

For the wheelchair accessible section, start at the Toothrock Trailhead and head east on the trail. (There is a bike stairway at the Eagle Creek end.)

From I-84 East, take the Bonneville Exit 40 and turn south at the stop sign. Almost immediately, turn left and drive up the road to the Toothrock Trailhead parking area.

Features:

The paved, 1.4 mile Toothrock trail has mostly a flat to mild (5% maximum) elevation gain. The trail offers views of Bonneville Dam and the gorge. A turn out along the way has benches for slow walkers to rest and enjoy the view.

Near the Eagle Creek end, the accessibility portion ends due to a bike stairway that takes users to the road to Eagle Creek Bridge and the Cascade Fish Hatchery. Wheelers can turn around at this point and pick up the trail again from the Eagle Creek trailhead.

Other Info:

This trail is never far from I-84 so expect to hear traffic noise!

There are no restrooms at the Toothrock trailhead.

HCRH State Trail - Eagle Creek to Cascade Locks

Directions:

Eagle Creek Trailhead - Parking at Eagle Creek (Cascade Fish Hatchery).
Cascade Locks Trailhead - Parking under Bridge of the Gods.

Features:

The Eagle Creek to Cascade Locks segment of the HCRH State Trail is 2.4 miles. Also known as the "Ruckel Creek Trail," this is a paved, wheelchair accessible section with minimum altitude changes. This trail segment reveals parts of the highway that have been hidden or abandoned for nearly seventy years. About a half of the trail length is set back from I-84 and offers a quiet, serene environment. You can begin the segment at Cascade Locks under the Bridge of the Gods or at the Eagle Creek area.

From Eagle Creek, pick up the paved trail at the north end of the hatchery and parallel I-84 for 0.25 mile. The trail begins a gentle uphill climb, turns southeast and then follows the slope. You will soon come to Ruckel Creek falls and an interpretive sign. This will take you uphill on a 3-5% grade about ½ mile to Ruckel Creek, then downhill under the freeway through a special tunnel and on to Cascade Locks.

The trail continues uphill around gentle curves for about a half mile, flattens and then goes downhill to where it meets I-84.

A special pedestrian tunnel takes you under the highway and back into the woods. About a half mile later the trail joins with the on-ramp to I-84 where a barrier separates the trail from auto traffic until you reach a parking area under the bridge.

From Cascade Locks, pick up the paved trail directly underneath the Bridge of the Gods.

HCRH State Trail - Starvation Creek to Viento

Directions:

The accessible section of the trail is accessed from Starvation Creek State Park, just off of I-84, about halfway between Cascade Locks and Hood River.

The parking area is only accessible to eastbound traffic (if you are driving west, exit and turn around at Exit 51 (Wyeth), then to return to your westbound direction, do the same at Viento State Park at Exit 56).

From the parking lot, follow the paved walkway past the bathrooms, to a sign pointing the way to "Waterfall". The falls are only 300 feet from the parking lot.

Features:

About 3/4 of the one mile Starvation Creek to Viento section of the HCRH State Trail is accessible with assistance.

The first part of this trail is the most scenic and is completely flat and wheelchair accessible.

Just 300 feet from the Starvation Creek trailhead is a short side path to a picnic area on Starvation Creek with wonderful view of the Starvation Creek waterfall.

The trail continues east with views of the gorge peaking through the trees.

The accessible part of the trail ends where the asphalt deteriorates and the path becomes large crushed rock.

This opening is a great view of the mountains on the Washington side of the gorge and makes a good turn around.

Other:

An ADA restroom is located at the Starvation Creek trailhead.

ADA camping and restrooms at Viento State Park.

See Oregon Parks Web site for more information.  See brochure of other campgrounds.

HCRH State Trail - Hood River to Mosier (Twin Tunnels Segment)

Directions:

The Twin Tunnels segment of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail is 70 miles east of Portland between Hood River and Mosier, just south of I-84. You can start the trail at either end and both have accessible facilities.

To enter the trail at the Hood River entrance, take exit 64 to Highway 35 south, then go east on a drivable section of the Historic Columbia River Highway (near the China Gorge Restaurant) for about one mile to the Twin Tunnels Visitors Center and the Mark O. Hatfield Trailhead West.

To enter the trail at the Mosier entrance, take exit 69 to Mosier. Turn left on Rock Creek Road (follow the signs to the HCRH State Trail and the Senator Mark O. Hatfield Trailhead East). Wheelers and slow walkers will want to park at the dedicated ADA parking lot just down a 200 yard steep hill from the main trailhead parking lot.

The main parking lot has an accessible vault toilet so you might want to stop there prior to driving back down to the ADA parking area.

Features:

Between Hood River and Mosier, the 4.6 mile Twin Tunnels segment passes through two climate zones. Since this segment is long and includes long, but mild grades of elevation change (5% maximum), most wheelchair users and slow walkers will choose not complete the entire segment before returning to the car. All segments of the trail are rated moderate to difficult for people with disabilities.

One of the most scenic spots along the trail is the Mosier Twin Tunnels and a stone lookout which offer magnificent vistas of the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge. These features are less than 1 mile from the Mosier end so the east trailhead makes a perfect place for wheelers and slow walkers to start the trip.

Starting at the east Mark O. Hatfield trail head near Mosier, the trail leads up a moderate grade through semi-arid terrain dotted with basalt rock piles and ponderosa pine. Views north over the gorge are spectacular. Equally impressive are the basalt cliffs to the south. These geologic formations tell the story of the gorge's creation.

A stone lookout offers a place to stop and admire the views (but unfortunately no benches to sit and rest other than the ledge of the lookout). There is a ADA picnic table in the nearby meadow (but no paved path to it). Not far from the lookout are the Twin Tunnels.

One of the nice things about this part of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail is that you are nowhere near Hwy 84 traffic noise.

Enjoy the bird songs and watch raptors thermal soaring over the hillsides of the gorge. In the heat of the summer, pine smells add to the sense of the area.

If you have the ability to go further just beyond the tunnels, additional rewards await you including another overlook. And just beyond that, the trail cuts through basalt cliffs on either side. A pond is located at the base of the north rock wall. It is a special area not to be missed and serves as a good turn around point.

For those continuing west, the climate changes to a forest of fir trees with moss, other common western Oregon plants and more views of the gorge. Near the Hood River end of the trail you will pick up the noise of the traffic of Hwy 84.

Other:

There's a visitor center at the west trailhead with brochures and other information. Accessible restrooms are available at both Hatfield trailheads.

Both trailheads for the Twin Tunnels segment require a day use pass ($3 per vehicle per day, or $25 for an annual pass). A yellow self-service machine dispenses daily passes at each trail head.

Camping is nearby at Memaloose State Park.

See Northwest Ramblings blog for more information about this trail with photos.

Plateau Trail - Tom McCall Preserve

Directions:

Tom McCall Preserve is located 11 miles east of Hood River. From I-84, take either the Mosier or Rowena exit. Park at the Rowena Crest viewpoint or at the trailhead on Hwy 30.

From Mosier, go east on the HCRH (Hwy 30). Just beyond milepost 6, the preserve is on both sides of the highway.

Features:

The viewpoint alone is worth the drive, but there is an easy 1-mile plateau trail that begins at the interpretive sign at the entrance to the preserve. The trail crosses the plateau for about 0.3 miles and a loop encircles a pond with lilypads and catails. A cliff edge viewpoint is on the loop before returning to the trail. The trail continues on the plateu to a smaller pond to two more cliff viewpoints.

In the spring, the fields are a photographer's delight serving as foreground to impressive views of the gorge.

Wheelchair accessibility is unknown or not verified at this point.

Wahkeena Falls

Directions:

Drive I-84 east to Bridal Veil exit #28.   Turn left on the Columbia Gorge Historic Highway.   Drive 2.5 miles to the Wahkeena picnic area and trailhead.

From I-84 westbound, take exit #34 and drive 4.5 miles west on the Columbia Gorge Historic Highway.

Features:

This is the beginning of the Forest Service Wahkeena Falls Trail #420, which starts at a footbridge and ascends 0.2-mile paved trail to a stone bridge below Wahkeena Falls.

Other:

Wahkeena Falls day-use picnic area is wheelchair accessible with picnic tables and barbecue grills, restroom facilities, potable water, and a large picnic shelter with a stone fireplace.

Multnomah Falls Lower Viewpoint

Directions:

Traveling west on I-84, access Multnomah Falls via the Historic Columbia River Highway at Exit 35 or use the freeway parking lot by taking Exit 31.

Traveling east on I-84, access Multnomah Falls via the Historic Columbia River Highway at Exit 28 or use the freeway parking lot by taking Exit 31.

It is recommended that people with disabilities use Exit 28 (traveling East Bound) or Exit 35 (East and West Bound) for direct access to the lodge.

Features:

This world famous 540-foot two-tiered waterfall is Oregon's highest and most visited waterfall. A paved 1.1 trail switchbacks up to Benson Bridge right in front of the upper falls and continues climbing to a viewpoint at the top.

Wheelchair users can easily wheel past Multnomah Falls Lodge and bypass stairs via a ramped paved path to the lower viewpoint in front of the lower falls. From here, you get a spectacular view of both tiers of the falls.

Some slow walkers and wheelers with assistance may continue 1/4 mile up the paved, moderately steep path to Benson Bridge. There are benches to rest along the way.

Other:

The historic Multnomah Falls Lodge (made of every type of rock found in the gorge) houses a gift shop, restaurant, and a US Forest Service Information Center.

Multnomah  Falls does not require a Northwest Forest Pass.

Be prepared for crowds, especially in the summer months. This is a popular tourist destination.