Hood River Trip Ideas
Take the Columbia Gorge Express from the Gateway station in Portland which is easily reached from the airport or anywhere in Portland. There are 9 shuttles daily – approximately every 90 minutes. Click here for the CGE schedule. The drive takes just over an hour (70 minutes) through some of the most beautiful land in the world.
If you visit between 9am and 3pm, there is an immediate shuttle to take you to/from the CAT station to the waterfront & downtown. Click here for the HR Connect schedule.
You can also walk to the CAT station from downtown or call the Hood River Pedi Cab for a special $10 ride.
Waterfront Stroll West
[40 mins / 2 miles]
The Hood River Waterfront has lots of walking paths and amazing views.
This walk starts at the Port transit stop which you can reach via the Columbia Gorge Express and an immediate transfer to the Hood River Connect which will take you to the Port stop.
When you step off the bus, walk North towards the river. You’ll know you’ve reached it when you see the windsurfers, kites and foils. Unless it’s a rare windless day.
The path then takes you West along the water approximately .5 miles until you reach the center of Water Front Park. Here you’ll find the playground, the beach and a number of great places to eat.
Continue along the path until you reach the end of The Hook for great views.
Then walk back the same way you came.
Waterfront Stroll East
[40 mins / 2 miles]
This walk takes you East along the waterfront towards the bridge.
Start at the Port transit stop which you can reach via the Columbia Gorge Express and an immediate transfer to the Hood River Connect which will take you to the Port stop.
When you step off the bus, walk SE on N 1st Street along the Nicholas Basin until the road comes to a T. Turn right and walk along the back of the Hampton Inn Suites until you reach the bridge.
[Side trip option #1: turn left at the T to explore The Spit sandbar]
Cross the bridge (over the Hood River) and pause to visit the Hood River Museum if you like.
[Side trip option #2: turn left at the Museum to explore Marina Park which jets out to the North]
Continue on the path East as it follows along the Marina Boat Basin and under the bridge.
Follow until the path ends in front of the Best Western Inn.
Pop inside for a bite to eat or turn right around and walk back the same way you came.
[Alternative route idea: take the Hood River Connect to the Best Western stop and walk back to the waterfront from there]
Downtown Hood River
[As long as you like]
Downtown Hood River has tons of places to eat, art to admire, windows to shop and treasures to find.
To get there take the Columbia Gorge Express and an immediate transfer to the Hood River Connect.
Then get off at either the Port stop (which is a 5 min walk along 2nd Street into town) or at the 4th & Columbia stop.
Downtown is also only a 10 min/ .5 mile walk from the Waterfront Park.
[Alternative route idea: When you step off the bus at the Port, walk SE on N 1st Street along the Nicholas Basin until the road comes to a T. Turn right and walk along the back of the Hampton Inn Suites until you reach the bridge. Keep walking straight along the path that leads under the overpass and along the railroad tracks back towards town. When you reach 2nd street, turn left until you reach Oak]
Explore the Heights
[30 - 60 mins / 1 -2 miles]
Up the hill is a local neighborhood worth exploring…if you are up for tackling the infamous 2nd Street Stairs (with a 300 ft climb).
From the Salmon Fountain at 2nd & State in downtown Hood River, you’ll see the bottom of the stairs.
Follow them up the hill for .3 miles until you reach Wilson Park.
Take a left on 3rd and, in 2 blocks, a right on Pine Street. Follow Pine for 8 blocks (.6 miles) until it runs into 12th Street.
Here you will find a collection of eateries and shops that run along 12th and 13th Street for the span of 4 blocks. Explore.
When you are done, you can catch the Hood River route at 11th & May (hospital) stop. Or walk back down through the neighborhoods to the downtown area.
Indian Creek Trail
[40 mins / 2 miles]
Hood River has a hidden trail in the middle of town.
From the Salmon Fountain at 2nd & State in downtown Hood River, you’ll see the bottom of the 2nd Street Stairs.
Follow them up the hill for 2 blocks until you reach Hazel Street.
Turn left and follow Hazel to the end where you’ll see the start of the Indian Creek Trail (look for market at 3rd Street then head up the hill).
The trail runs SW for 1 mile through forests overlooking the ravine until you reach 13th Street.
Take a left and cross the street, walking half a block to the bus stop in front of Rosauers where you can catch the Hood River route back down to the downtown area or directly to the CAT station.