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75-mile-long scenic highway between Troutdale and The Dalles, built through the Columbia River Gorge as the first planned scenic roadway in the US
General Information
Accessible from sunrise to sunset
Some viewpoints and sections may close seasonally due to weather or maintenance
Some trailheads and recreation areas along the route may require parking permits
How to Get There
From Troutdale (3 mi): Follow the Historic Columbia River Highway east from Troutdale into the Columbia River Gorge to access scenic overlooks, waterfalls, hiking trails, and historic viewpoints along the route.
Overview
The Historic Columbia River Highway is the nation's oldest scenic highway, about 75 miles between Troutdale and The Dalles, built from 1913 to 1922 by lawyer Sam Hill and engineer Samuel Lancaster on the model of Europe's scenic roads. It is a National Historic Landmark, and its historic district (1983) has 38 contributing structures, including bridges, viaducts, and tunnels.
Highlights
- The westernmost 24 miles from Troutdale: Crown Point and Vista House, Latourell, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena, and Multnomah falls, and dozens of trails
- Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail: the parts of the old road open to walkers and cyclists, including the Mosier Twin Tunnels
- Access: signs for the scenic byway start at I-84 exit 17; summer weekends are busy, and Multnomah Falls needs a timed-use permit in peak season
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles "Historic Columbia River Highway", which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
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