3 Days in the Columbia River Gorge
Not many places have it all, but the Columbia River Gorge comes pretty darn close. The 20-mile radius around Hood River features breweries, wineries, cideries, farm-to-table restaurants, u-pick orchards, lavender farms, hiking, mountain biking, road biking, kiteboarding, paddling, breathtaking views … the list goes on.
Anchored by Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, this delightful stretch of the Gorge is perfect for those looking to play, eat, drink, relax, repeat. We always love when we can balance outdoor adventure with farm-fresh cuisine and craft beverages. We created a 3-day Hood River region itinerary to help you make the most of your time in this enchanting slice of the Columbia River Gorge.
Courtesy: Broder Øst
Day 1
Fuel up for a day of adventure at Broder Øst. Located on the bottom floor of the historic Hood River Hotel, this space has a classic European vibe with a pinch of early 20th Century elegance. Indulge in the menu’s unique Scandinavian dishes like Æbleskiver (Danish Pancakes), Lefse (Norwegian Potato Crêpes), or Köttbular (Swedish Meatballs). Broder Øst incorporates local ingredients that highlight the fresh flavors of the Gorge.
Time for a hike! Coyote Wall is a 7.7-mile round-trip trek on the Washington side with a surprising variety of terrain for its distance. Wander along a lush creek, through an oak forest, past basalt outcroppings, and high up on the hillside with sweeping views of the Gorge. In the spring, the area is teeming with wildflowers, including grass widow, prairie stars, yellow bells, camas, and balsamroot.
Treat yourself to an après hike beer. Over the last decade, Hood River has gained notoriety for its dynamic beer culture. Old school legends Full Sail used to exclusively hold down the fort (operating since 1987), but the region’s beer scene has expanded to include over 10 breweries.
With a stellar location along the waterfront and an incredible tap list, a stop at Pfriem is a must. Pfriem produces award-winning beers across the American, German, and Belgium brewing spectrum. Grab a pint, sit outside, and take in the scene.
If you’re lucky enough to be in the area on a Monday, check out White Salmon Baking Co. for pizza night. Beloved by locals and visitors alike, White Salmon Baking Co. makes some of the best pizza in all of Washington (and we don’t bestow this honor lightly). It starts with flour sourced from small-scale Pacific Northwest mills. The dough is naturally leavened, aided by wild yeast unique to the Gorge region. A long, slow fermentation adds to the bread’s complexity and character. Fresh, eclectic, and locally-sourced toppings like squash and pear or mortadella, sweet onion, and fried egg really make these pies sing.
Not hanging out on a Monday? Don’t fret! Head over to Celilo, a chic, New American spot. Save a little room in your budget for mouth-watering pasta, seafood, and meat dishes crafted with love and ingredients from local purveyors. Celilo’s wine list includes over 150 new and old world options.
Courtesy: Hiyu Wine Farm
Speaking of wine, just as the Gorge is famous for its breweries, it's equally esteemed for its wine. The booming wine region boasts nearly 40 wineries along this 40-mile stretch of the Columbia River.
Fans of natural wines will love Hiyu Wine Farm at the foot of Mt. Hood. But wait, aren’t all wines “natural?” Not quite. Natural wine is typically produced on a small scale using traditional methods and fermented with native yeast. In its purest form, natural wine is unadulterated fermented grape juice without the additives commonly found in modern, industrial techniques. Book one of Hiyu’s wine and food tastings to enjoy the full bounty of this biodynamic, regenerative farm.
Day 2:
Start your day at North Shore Cafe. This White Salmon breakfast and lunch joint serves pastries, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, pancakes, omelets, and more. Their coffee and teas are organic and fair trade. Their salmon is caught by the Yakama Nation people out of the Klickitat River. Most of North Shore Cafe’s menu items are grown within 80 miles of the restaurant. They take high-quality food seriously.
Courtesy: Visit Hood River
Bike the Mosier Twin Tunnels. This 4.5-mile one-way paved path was the original Columbia River Highway. Now, it’s a fantastic, car-free section of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Not into biking? With views for days, the path is also great for a mellow hike.
Wine after recreation (big shocker, we know …)! Visit Syncline Winery in Lyle for outstanding French-style wines on a gorgeous property. Syncline works with a select group of growers to develop deeper connections and greater involvement in vineyard management. They push viticultural limits in new blocks of their estate vineyard, planting one of the rockiest sites in the cooler Columbia Gorge AVA. All of their estate fruit is farmed with biodynamic practices and special attention is given to the health of the soils, native vegetation, wines, and people.
Courtesy: Pixán Taqueria & Cantina
Pixán Taqueria & Cantina in White Salmon is where you’ll want to go for dinner. Their menu features Yucatecan-inspired food and drinks, with creations like Sikil P'aak (a dip of pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, and chilis) and Cochinita Pibil (pork shoulder braised in bitter orange juice, spices, and banana leaves). Pair your dish with a mezcal old-fashioned, a michelada, or a classic margarita. ¡Salud!
Day 3:
Hit up KickStand Coffee & Kitchen for your most important meal of the day. This community-focused restaurant emphasizes local ingredients, Pacific Northwest tradition, and a global twist inspired by the owners’ travels as professional mountain bikers. Dishes include breakfast bowls, burritos, and tacos. Save room for their sweet donut fritters—made to order and tossed in cinnamon, sugar, orange zest, and allspice.
Looking to really earn those pints? Hop on the road bike and pedal the 35-mile Fruit Loop, stopping at some of the 26 highlighted spots along the way. It’s a fantastic way to sample all the region has to offer—wineries, breweries, cideries, farms, orchards, and more—working up a little sweat to make those stops that much sweeter.
When it comes to mountain biking, Post Canyon takes the cake. With nearly 40 miles of mountain biking trails and up to 3,400 feet of vertical descent, the area is a mountain biker's wonderland. Riders of all skill levels will find suitable routes to explore with plenty of singletrack, berms, and downhill sections to navigate.
Courtesy: Double Mountain Brewery
After an active morning, head to Double Mountain Brewery to recharge. They pride themselves on community, sustainability, and great beer, cider, and pizza. Double Mountain sources local fruit for their cider and sour beers, and picks from their own orchard in the upper valley.
The Gorge’s consistent wind has helped launch Hood River as a world-renown windsurfing and kiteboarding destination. Want to literally get your feet wet? Take a lesson with one of the skilled instructors at Gorge Kite. Operating in Hood River since 1999, the school teaches beginner, intermediate, and advanced kite boarders on the famed waters of the Columbia River.
The Gorge is a major apple growing region. It only makes sense that there’s a handful of cideries to celebrate this bounty. We love Draper Girls Cider Company, not only for their small-batch, hand-crafted ciders from fruit grown and harvested on their third-generation family farm, but also because you can head out into the orchard yourself and pick their delicious apples and pears to take home. Not to hate on gift shops, but we think this is the best kind of souvenir.
Next on the list is Cathedral Ridge. The winery has been in the biz for 20 years with a significant number of awards to show for it. Taste from a list of 26 award-winning wines (reservations required). The property is beautifully maintained with a large lawn and garden area to sip and unwind.
While we could do an entire write-up just on Columbia River Valley libations, we’ll leave you with one last recommendation! Situated on 30+ acres in the heart of the Hood River Valley, The Gorge White House offers something for everyone. Wine? Check. Cider? Check. Farm-fresh food? Check. U-pick fruits and flowers? Check. This is the kind of place you could spend several hours enjoying.
Courtesy: The Society Hotel
After you’ve explored the area by camper van, take a break and kick back at The Society Hotel in Bingen. The property honors its roots as an old schoolhouse (there’s even a circa 1908 gym to shoot hoops). The addition of a hip cafe & bar, an underground sanctuary, a charming lounge and library, cozy fire pits, and a relaxing spa make this boutique hotel one of the coolest places you’ll ever stay. Take your pick from private rooms, a hostel-style bunkhouse, or cabins that sleep up to four people.
Camping options:
Tucker Park
Wyeth Campground
Roots Rise Family Farm Hipcamp
Viento State Park
Klickitat Canyon Winery Hipcamp
Memaloose State Park Campground
*NOTE: Make sure to check the most recent COVID-19 regulations and seasonal closures when planning your trip!
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