Northwest Passage Cycling Along the Columbia River Highway

Meals: Dinner

Distance: 10 miles

Elevation Gain: 240 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 64 feet

On Day 1 we will assemble in Troutdale – a western suburb of Portland, to check in and get set up on our bikes. A small loop in the area will give us a chance to work out the kinks in our equipment and clothing and get prepared for the next morning. We will have dinner as a group, and the guides will give their orientation information.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 32 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,900 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 600 feet

Day 2 will start our real cycling as we leave the suburbs to work our way through the gorge. The historic highway climbs over Crown Rock for our first sweeping views of the Columbia River and the gorge through which it runs. From this high point we start our tour of waterfalls that plummet from the vertical basalt cliffs to the south. La Tourelle, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena, Horsetail and the popular Multnomah Falls are all diversions along the trail. Be sure you have walking shoes with you for exploring the side trails. We also get our first tunnel on the route – Oneonta tunnel. This tunnel has been created, abandoned, restored, burned and rerestored over the last 100 years. We continue up river on the Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail to Cascade Locks and our home on the river. We dine tonight overlooking the mighty Columbia River.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 30 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,120 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 625 feet

Early this morning on Day 3, we van up to The Dalles to visit the Dam Visitor Center to learn about one of the largest hydroelectric dams in the country. From there, we ride a beautiful section of trail that includes the Twin Tunnels, cut through spectacular geologic formations, and telling the story of the gorge’s creation. This ride will bring us into one of America’s Best Towns, according to Outside Magazine: Hood River. Our hotel, home for 2 nights, is overlooking the river where wind surfers are frequently skimming the surface.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 40 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,955 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 500 feet

We ride the famed Fruit Loop on Day 4 – a loop route on quiet country roads, that travels towards the flanks of Mt. Hood past vineyards and fruit orchards. The beauty of this route is the plethora of possible stops at fruit stands, country stores and wineries along the way. Take the whole day to enjoy this scenic ride and the local offerings. Ride the entire route, or make a winery your final destination and call for the van to return you to the hotel.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel in Salem

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 12.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 880 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 300 feet

On Day 5 we catch a van ride to Mitchell where we will enjoy the newest section of the historic highway. The new trail offers amazing views of the Gorge and travels around Shellrock Mountain on the 500’ Summit Creek Viaduct — a bridge over land. We pass four waterfalls: Starvation Creek, Cabin Creek, Hole-in-the-Wall, and Lancaster Falls. After this last section of the historic highway, we will van shuttle down to the Salem area for our final night at the Grand Salem Hotel in the heart of the capital city.

Meals: Breakfast

Distance: 33.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 500 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 80 feet

Straight from our hotel we can catch the Willamette Scenic Bikeway on Day 6, for a worry free ride through the Willamette Valley, past fields of hops and vineyards. We come to the scenic bikeway’s terminus at Champoeg State Park and will celebrate our Northwest Passage adventure with lunch at a local winery. A van transfer into Portland and the Portland International Airport will conclude the tour.