Itinerary

Day 1: Ride along the Wild and Scenic Sandy River. Play on the flanks of Mt. Hood around Timberline.

Meet in Portland in the morning. A brief shttle to Troutdale will have you on your bike in no time! Begin riding along the Wild and Scenic Sandy River. Admire some of the oldest forests near Portland as you pedal through Oxbow Regional Park. In the Afternoon, we shuttle up to Timberline Lodge on the flanks of Mt Hood where you’ll spend your first night. Gung-ho cyclists up for a challenge can ride a traffic-free, paved ski trail ( 2,000 ft climb in 7 miles) to the lodge instead. Either way, at 6,000 feet, Timberline features sweeping views in all directions, well appointed rooms, a historic lodge and museum, trails to explore before dinner, and world class dining!
Meals Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Timberline Lodge
Distance 28 miles (or more, or less) Elevation + 2,780 ft / -1,889 ft (or more)

Day 2: From the Towering Conifer Forests to Waving Wheat Fields- Ride the Oregon Trail Route East to the Columbia. Explore Hood River.

Head down the wooded slopes of Mt Hood National Forest and into the wide open, rolling wheat country of central Oregon today. Follow the old Oregon Trail beside winding streams through remote canyons to a park beside the Columbia River at The Dalles. After lunch, head to Hood River to explore this fascinating town- the windsurfing capital of the United States and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Explore its shops and art galleries, an upscale wine bar and Full Sail Brewery, a micro-brew pub with deck seating overlooking the Columbia River. Spend two nights at the Hood River Inn, with its unique shoreline location and private beach.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner lodging: Hood River Inn
Distance 38 miles(or more) Elevation +586 ft/ -4,459 ft

Day 3: Raft the White Salmon River in the Morning. Pedal the ” Fruit Loop” or Relax in Hood River in the Afternoon.

In the morning, take a whitewater rafting trip ( fee included, equipment provided , no experience necessary) down the nearby White Salmon River. The White Salmon is glacier-fed by snow-clad Mt Adams, so the river has a fairly continuous flow rate and the water is clear and cold. The river cuts through a narrow rocky gorge with 100-foot cliffs, emptying out into the forested meadows. This afternoon, you can choose to spend more time enjoying the town of Hood River, or you can ride the “Fruit Loop” through the orchards and vineyards above town while enjoying views of Mt Adams and Mt Hood. Lunch and dinner are on your own today. Spend another night at the Hood River Inn.
Meals Breakfast, lodging: Hood River Inn
Distance: Optional: 23 miles with +1,769 ft/ – 1,768 ft.

Day 4: Ride the Paved and “Gorgeous” (YUP-Pun Intended) Mark Hatfield Trail. Visit the Gorge Discovery Center Museum Before Heading to Skamania.

Bicycling the Mark Hatfield Trail in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It’s an old scenic byway high on the cliffs overlooking the Columbia River east of town. This section of the road was abandoned for decades after completion of the freeway beside the river. Recently, it was reopened as a paved multi-use path. Bicycling Magazine featured the trail as one of the great places to ride in the United States. You’ll see the Columbia River below and marvel at the intricate stonework in the road’s Depression-era guardrail. Enjoy lunch at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, located where early explorers and settlers faced a tough decision: continue west by rafting down the Columbia River on a series of dangerous rapids, or struggle through roadless evergreen forests over the Cascade Mountains south of Mt Hood. Following lunch, spend some time exploring the museum ( admission included) and attending the Raptor Program to learn about local birds of prey. Shuttle to Skamania Lodge on the Washington side of the river, a luxurious destination resort with memorable dining, a spa, a zipline and an adjacent 18-hole golf course.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Skamania Lodge
Distance: 33 miles ), Elevation +2501 ft / – 2478 ft

Day 5: A Dizzying Array Of Waterfalls And An Honest-To-Goodness Bridge Of The Gods!

Head back over the Columbia River into Oregon this morning on the Bridge of the Gods. Native legends-now corroborated by modern geological research-tell of a massive landslide that once spanned the mighty river here, providing them an easy place to cross. The modern Bridge of the Gods is a spiderweb of steel which provides crossing for car traffic as well as Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers. Once on the Oregon side, take a relaxing pedal past tumbling waterfalls on sections of paved multi-use path as well the Gorge Scenic Highway. Have lunch on the river as well as a chance to swap ” tales of the trail” with thru-hikers at Thunder Island Brewing. Since we are staying at the Skamania Lodge for another night, should you prefer a day off the bike, you can also hang out at the resort to enjoy the spa, zipline, or golf course instead.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Lodging: Skamania Lodge
Distance 34 miles , elevation +2,470 ft / -2,466 ft

Day 6: An Historic Highway, A Waterfall ” Alley” And The Ultimate Columbia Gorge Icon, Multnomah Falls!

Take another ride along ” Waterfall Alley” – as this section of the Gorge is locally known. Heading downriver on the historic highway today toward the outskirts of Portland, we visit renowned Multnomah Falls. At a dizzying 620 feet, it’s the tallest and most famous waterfall in the Columbia Gorge. Pass by more amazing falls on your way to Vista House- a spectacular viewpoint from which you can look back over almost your entire journey this week. Return to Portland after lunch.
Breakfast, Lunch, 26 miles, elevation: 45.9 mi. +2,076 ft / -1,459 ft.

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Lodging

The Cascade Loop: North Cascades to Leavenworth

Timberline Lodge
Set high on the shoulder of one of he most iconic peaks in the Pacific Northwest, Timerline continues, after 85 years, to offer one of the most exciting and unique high-alpine mountain experiences of North America

Hood River Inn

Experience a pleasing blend of Northwest style and attentive service. Breathtaking views, friendly service and an inviting hotel nestled on the banks of the Columbia River.

Skamania Lodge
An unrivaled, quintessential Pacific Northwest experience. Positioned against one of the most dramatic landscapes on earth, nestled amongst lush towering timbers.

Lodging is based upon two people to a room with a private bath. If you’re traveling solo on any of our trips, we’ll assign you a roommate of the same gender and often of the same age bracket.
There is no extra charge if we can’t find you a roommate, even if you sign up the day before the trip starts. You can guarantee yourself a private room and bath if you pay the Single Room Fee. Occasionally a room with two beds consists of one bed plus a roll away bed or sofa bed.

Included:

• Deluxe lodging and fine dining.
• All meals except 1 lunch and 1 dinner on your own. Snacks and beverages between meals
• Road /hybrid bike, (E-bike rent possible). Helmet and Wahoo GPS device
• Hiking & River Rafting
• entry fees
• Luggage transfer.

Not included:

• Night before and after the tour.
• Flights to and from the tour
• Alcoholic beverages at meals,
• Gratuities guides

Pricing / Tour dates

Tour price 2025: $3,892.-pp. Single fee $ 1,051.-This is not required. It is an optional fee to allow a solo traveler to guarantee a private room for the duration of the tour. You can avoid a single supplement by sharing a room with another rider.
Tour dates 2025:
25 May – 30 May
01 Jun – 6 Jun
8 Jun – 13 Jun, guaranteed
22 Jun – 27 Jun guaranteed
29 Jun – 4 July
06 July – 11 July
13 July – 18 July guaranteed
20 July – 25 July
07 Sept – 12 Sept guaranteed

Conditions

Deposit $600.
The deposit payment for a tour must be paid within two weeks after the booking is confirmed.
The remaining payment is due 90 days before the start of the tour.
For tours that are booked within 90 days before the start of the tour you will pay 100% of the tour price

Information

Meals and dining:
We know how important breakfast is to make sure your day starts off right. Most breakfasts are served at the inn where we spend the night and are either a set menu or a continental breakfast buffet. But if there is a local restaurant with a reputation for a great breakfast, we can guarantee we will find it and you will be treated to a nutritious meal to start the day.

Lunch is provided at a state park or similar scenic setting midway during the day’s ride. Guests are always surprised at the variety and quality of lunches we prepare.
Besides sandwich fixings and cold drinks, we offer fresh fruits and vegetables and hot lunches such as tortellini with pesto or veggie burritos. If you prefer a certain item of food or drink, just let your tour guide know and we will be sure to prepare just the right lunch to keep your energy up for the rest of the day.

During the day water, fruit juices, soft drinks, energy bars, fruit, and snacks are available from the van. A cold beer from our cooler waits at the end of the day, and you can relive the day’s highlights at our wine and cheese party before dinner.

Dinner is eaten together at the best restaurant in the area. At most restaurants, you order what you want from the menu. Except for alcohol, everything is included, even appetizers, salad, soup, and dessert. If we have to shuttle everyone a short distance to get to that special place, we do it. We like to eat well.

If you have any special dietary requests, please let us know in advance. We regularly accommodate vegetarians and other restricted diets. All of our meals are carefully selected to provide you with the unusually high nutritional and caloric needs of your body on an outdoor adventure.