Mt. Hood Scenic Byway
See yourself on the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway this season, leaving the city behind and circling majestic Mt. Hood at your own pace. Load up the car and begin your journey in the small town of Troutdale. Feel the welcome as you cruise beneath the town's impressive stone and metal arch spanning the Historic Columbia River Highway. The great arch features leaping bronze salmon and the announcement; "Gateway to the Gorge." Heritage museums, boutiques and specialty shops enrich the historic town center. Stop in at the Visitor Center for information before continuing along the Sandy River Canyon to Crown Point, where you can see for miles up, down and across the mighty Columbia. Stretch your legs on one of the hiking trails at Troutdale's Lewis and Clark State Park. Travel eastward along the Scenic Highway, where family members will want to check out at least a couple of the dozen waterfalls.
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Begin Your Adventure Here
Drive on to the charming town of Hood River, long known for its walkable downtown, windsports' enthusiasts and scenic Mount Hood Railroad. The city is increasingly appreciated for its innovative eateries, big wines and creative craft breweries. After exploring whichever of these assets speak to you, follow the beckoning road further east to the community of The Dalles. This city boasts a landmark place in Oregon history, as it was the spot where pioneers loaded their wagons onto rafts or barges and floated down the Columbia to the mouth of the Willamette River. Be sure to check out scenic Celio Park, nine miles east of The Dalles. Anglers can try for walleye and sturgeon in the Columbia River. Plan to spend time at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, where changing exhibits and a regular Raptor demonstration are popular with visitors of all ages. Upon leaving The Dalles, take the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway south around the mountain.
Numerous outdoor recreational opportunities exist along the Byway, from Forest Service-led hikes to building your "life-list" along the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail to reveling in Timberline Lodge's summer "star parties." As you circle back towards Greater Portland, make your way along the Sandy Area Farm Loop, where fisher folk of all ages can catch a memory at the Rainbow Trout Farm, pet baby Alpacas of Valhalla, and risk a few berry stained hands at Liepold Farms. Much of the scenic byway route gives access to Mt. Hood National Forest hiking trails. Whether you choose to raft or kayak a scenic river, windsurf or paddle board on the Columbia or catch a trophy fish with a special fly, there are activities for all interests. From farmers' markets, Christmas tree farms, wineries, fruit farms, and orchards (pears, apples, berries), to the mushrooms and salmon that call this region home, the Byway is a bountiful road to travel.