Low-Impact Activities to Explore in Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge

The Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge region is brimming with various outdoor adventures and unique experiences, but are they low-impact and beginner-friendly? Here are adventure recommendations that offer a new perspective outdoors – without sacrificing your joints or requiring expert-level experience.  

As someone with Lupus and associated rheumatic symptoms like inflammation and joint pain, finding low-impact adventures is always a priority. Activities that embrace walking, slow and flowing movement, and rest areas are more accessible adventures for people like me. So here is a list of my favorite activities from my recent getaway to Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge.

Take a slower-paced hike along the Old Salmon River Trail. I explored this area with an expert trail guide named Jayson from Mt. Hood Outfitters. Having a guide helped answer questions about the local terrain and Indigenous history. This designated trail is beginner-friendly and offers serene views of the river under an umbrella of mossy trees. While the trail does have some uneven ground and occasional nature-made steps, I found the 3-mile out-and-back trail to be overall easy to navigate with little elevation gain.

For low-impact water adventures in the Mt. Hood-Columbia Gorge region, head to Milo McIver State Park to kayak Estacada Lake with Adventure Without Limits (AWL). I was afraid I’d be unprepared for this kayaking experience during the cooler spring months, but AWL came ready with wetsuits, warm gear, safety equipment, and more – supporting their mission to make the outdoors available regardless of need. Our expert guide, Sam, gave us an easy-to-follow tutorial and showed us ways AWL customizes rentals for people who have accessibility needs.

A quick stop along your drive into the region from PDX airport is the most scenic welcome: Jonsrud View Point. With wide pathways, interpretive signage, and accessible binocular heights (including a special viewfinder for people who are colorblind), you can soak in the vast beauty of the region. If you’re lucky, the perfect weather conditions offer pristine views of Mt. Hood’s snowcapped peak.

Hike 3.5 miles round trip right off the main road in Mosier for a rewarding uphill experience with scenic views and vibrant wildflowers during spring and summer. This is a moderate hike due to the 600ft elevation gain, but the switchbacks allow for a gradual climb and some shaded rest stops. For the most comfortable experience, I’d recommend this trail in the morning before high sun.

You don’t have to hike in the woods or get on the water to indulge in the region’s beautiful outdoors. Analemma Winery is perched on a vineyard in the Mosier Valley of Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and their “Twenty Mile Picnic” was one of the highlights of my visit. Not only because of this woman co-owned winery’s “Slow Food” values, but also because of their dedication to connecting local farms, community, and the outdoors. The 20-mile concept features a picnic lunch wine pairing with gourmet ingredients sourced from within 20 miles of the property.

Peruse Estacada’s vibrant mural arts scene with a low-impact walk around Zobrist Street and nearby. There are 20 beautiful building murals of various sizes showcasing the region’s diverse community and history, and even an Artback Collective map to help locate them. While there, stop by the many food trucks on Zobrist – my favorite being Pepe’s Tacos. It is a charming stroll through a walkable mountain town and great for a visit after kayaking nearby.

When you’re done adventuring or need a place to refuel, consider stopping at some of my favorite food spots for a well-rounded vacation in the Mt. Hood-Columbia Gorge area.