Columbia Gorge
The Columbia Gorge ride is another of Oregon’s classic multi‐day rides. The spectacular scenery and beautiful waterfalls of the Columbia Gorge makes for an unforgettable ride. Portions of this ride are on the Historic Columbia River Highway which was built between 1913 and 1922 and was the first highway in the country to be designated a “scenic highway”. Some portions of the highway that were abandoned when Interstate 80 was built have been restored and dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian traffic only.

The availability of hotel, food, and full service camping on Interstate 80 makes it easy for all types of bicycle tours to do the Columbia Gorge ride. Self supported individual riders, private groups, and commercial tours all can easily do all or part of the Columbia Gorge ride.

The Columbia Gorge is 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep and extends from Troutdale in the west to the vicinity of Biggs Junction in the east. Riding one way through the Columbia Gorge is only 80 miles so multiday bike tours of the “Columbia Gorge” must obviously extend into other areas of the region. The most common “extended Columbia Gorge” rides are the Columbia River ride that follows the Columbia River through Oregon from Umatilla to Astoria, and the Lewis & Clark trail ride from Baker City to Astoria.

The challenge associated with the Columbia Gorge ride is dealing with Interstate 80. This freeway is often times routed between the river and rock walls with little room for anything else besides the train tracks. Therefore, sometimes it is necessary to ride on the shoulder of Interstate 80.

Unusual Tours chooses to limit our tours to the area within the National Scenic Area from Troutdale to Biggs Junction. Access to the natural beauty of the Scenic Area makes riding on or near Interstate 80 worth it here. We encourage groups to refrain from travel on, or near, other sections of Interstate 80. When including the Columbia Gorge ride into a custom group tour we encourage groups to start and/or finish their ride in Troutdale so that they can enjoy the full length of the gorge and then extend their rides in the more remote areas southeast of The Dalles or Biggs Junction. Another option is to include a section of the Columbia Gorge ride with a Mt Hood Loop ride and on to points south. For the truly adventurous, this route can be extended down the crest of the Cascades towards Breitenbush Hot Springs where a stay at the retreat and a visit to the hot springs will be your reward. With the emphasis on tourism within the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area there are many options for enjoying other events and activities.

Examples of these include:

• Multnomah Falls visit and hikes
• Bonneville Dam visit and tours
• Hood River Harvest Fest
• Wind Surfing in Hood River
• The Dalles Days
• Rafting the Deschutes River

Use our Events Calendar to include these and other events and activities in your own custom tour.