AFISHA LIFE
Portland
Explore
Walking Tours
The Hood-Columbia Loop: Timberline, Orchards, and Waterfalls

The Hood-Columbia Loop: Timberline, Orchards, and Waterfalls

Overview

Mt. Hood is the highest summit in Oregon, and the fourth highest in the Cascades. It features waterfalls, glaciers, and historic Timberline Lodge, built by local artisans during the Great Depression, and featuring the longest ski season in the US. To the north of Mt. Hood is the Hood River Valley. You will get intimate with this area through a visit to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, fruit stands in the Hood River Valley, downtown Hood River (your opportunity for lunch and/or alcoholic beverages), and breathtaking stops in the eastern and western Columbia River Gorge (Multnomah Falls included). Your expert guide, with formal background in ecology and natural resources, will teach you about the natural and cultural history of the area, as you drive the Mt. Hood and Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byways. Maximum group size of 11. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel. *We are the only operator in Portland who has sneeze guards between the rows in our vehicle.*

City: Portland

Sun 23 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $130.00

Make a reservation

Sun 23 Feb

Starting at $130.00

Make a reservation

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (103) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (113) Entry Tickets (47) Sporting Events (1) Good for Small Groups (6) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (41) Walking Tours (697) Outdoor Activities (20) Limitied Availability Tours (6) LGBT Friendly Tours (4) Family-friendly Activities (7) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (27) Travelers recommend (73) Good for Groups (8) Top Activities (18) Guided Audio Tours (3) Art, Culture & History (135) Attractions to explore (38)

What's Included

Bottled water

Snacks

Air-conditioned vehicle

Parking Fees

PA system so the back row can hear the guide

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Face masks provided for travellers
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

What To Expect

Mount Hood

Mt. Hood is a potentially active stratovolcano, the highest peak in Oregon, and the fourth highest in the Cascades. Not only is it known for its beauty, visible on the skyline of much of northern Oregon and southern Washington, but it is also the most climbed stratovolcano in the Cascades, easily accessible from Timberline Lodge, which is the only ski resort in the US that is open every month of the year. You will spend 1-2 hours at Timberline Lodge, on the mountain, just below the Palmer Glacier.

Timberline Lodge

This Works Progress Administration project was dedicated by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1937. It is one of the most unique, and expansive buildings in the State of Oregon, sitting on Mt. Hood above timberline, for utterly sublime views. You can divide your time among interpretive displays, food & drink venues, hiking in summer and snowplay in winter, as you like. The lodge is a National Historic Landmark, and the only ski resort in the US that is open every month of the year.

Draper Girls Country Farm

Depending on the season, we'll stop at this charming orchard store, where you can buy fresh fruit & preserves, pet the cats and goats, and get a spectacular shot of Mt. Hood, weather permitting.

Apple Valley Country Store

Depending on the season, we'll stop at this homey country store, who not only sell fruit and preserves, but also homemade pies and huckleberry milkshakes!

Port of Hood River

Dubbed the "windsurfing capital" of the world, Hood River also has more breweries per capita than any other city in the US, and a plethora of tasting rooms, galleries, boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes. This is where you'll spend your lunch hour.

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

The 85-mile (137-km) long Columbia Gorge NSA features waterfalls, mountains, monoliths, terraces, resort towns, vineyards, orchards, the Columbia River, a plethora of birds, and a plant community that changes dramatically between the west and east ends.

Rowena Crest Viewpoint

The quintessential photo opportunity for the eastern Gorge.

Columbia River Highway

This 74-mile (123-km) long historic highway was inspired by the Axenstrasse in the Swiss Alps. These days one can no longer drive the entire highway, but we will drive portions of this picturesque, engineering marvel in both the eastern and western gorge, past basalt terraces and waterfalls.

Bridge of the Gods

Columbia River crossing for the Pacific Crest Trail, and lowest point on that trail. Named for a Native American legend that explains the local geology.

Bonneville Lock & Dam

Another National Historic Landmark, Bonneville Dam was the first Public Works Administration dam on the Columbia River, completed in 1938.

Bonneville Hatchery

Largest hatchery in the state of Oregon.

Elowah Falls

A hidden beauty...watch quickly, or you might miss it!

Beacon Rock

The fifth largest free-standing monolith in the world. It is an 848-ft (258-m) volcanic plug, composed of columnar basalt, so similar in size and composition to Devil's Tower, Wyoming.

Horsetail Falls- Columbia River Gorge

Don't miss this quirky waterfall as we pass by!

Multnomah Falls

The tallest waterfall in the state, with a combined height of 620 feet.

Wahkeena Falls

Another cute waterfall to watch for closely!

Crown Point State Park

Once known as Thor's Hammer, this geological feature towers above, with a crown-shaped building sitting atop, and a waterfall coming down the side.

Rooster Rock State Park

As we pass by, view the rock that inspired North America's oldest continuously running nudist beach!

Sandy River

We'll cross the Sandy River between the Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley. The Sandy's headwaters is a glacier on Mt. Hood, and the river is known for its Steelhead and Chinook runs. As a result, the Sandy is one of three tributaries of the Columbia who's dams have been removed since 2007.

Show 16 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (3)

Chris M

Oct 2022

We were doing "our own" road trip of OR & WA and decided to book this tour. It was worth the time and price! What we especially liked was that it was a mini bus, i.e., just us and one other couple, very personal and informative. Besides the STANDARD places to see, our guide (who was a Portland local,) shared EXTRA "what you may want to see" places, e.g. secret waterfall path and history e.g., story of Fremont neighborhood. If you are in Portland and want to "leave the driving to us," we thoroughly recommend this tour. P.S. One special note ... While the season was over, my request to visit a Lavender Farm was added. What a treat!

Sharon L

Jun 2022

Our tour guide, Cher, was wonderful. Cher made sure we saw all that we wanted to see as well as a little more when we had extra time.

Pinka2013

Oct 2019

Marcus was an amazing guide. He was very knowledgeable and provided great information about the nature, plants, vegetation and history. Since we were the only 2 people on the tour that day, he customized the adventure to our liking. It was one of the best tours we took. We had a great day and definitely recommend taking a tour with Terran travels.

Response from Host

Oct 2019

Priyanka, thank you for the great review! Marcus was very grateful that he was able to do a lot of hiking with you and Yagya, as this tour doesn't normally involve so much hiking. We hope your seminar went well!