Columbia River Gorge Historic Highway 4×4

The original Columbia River Highway, built in 1913, included several sections now bypassed and forgotten — rough basalt ledges that cling to cliff faces 800 feet above the Columbia River. These abandoned roadways connect through Forest Service roads above Crown Point and wind past the ruins of the Vista House’s predecessor, threading between massive Douglas firs and offering glimpses down to Multnomah Falls from angles no tourist ever sees.

Easy to moderate difficulty with some loose rock sections and narrow shelf roads. Stock high-clearance vehicles can handle most sections, though 4WD helps on steep basalt climbs. Open year-round but best spring through fall when visibility is clear. No camping allowed due to proximity to developed areas, but this makes an excellent day trip from Portland. You’ll drive the same route that Model T Fords struggled up a century ago, with modern views of one of America’s most dramatic river gorges.