Cape Horn Trail

Columbia River Gorge from Cape Horn

The peregrine falcon closure lifts on the 15th opening up the full loop to hiking. That means volunteers can also get in and continue construction on the reroute that will move the trail off of sensitive habitat and decrease the trail's grade to a reasonable, yet still steep! pitch as it descends to the lower cliff band.

The Cape Horn Trail makes a 7 mile loop hike that showcases the Gorge's incredible scenery. Originally pioneered by hiking enthusiasts, the trail was not sanctioned by the Forest Service until 2010. Now a coalition of local hiking advocates are working with the Forest Service to establish an official trail that will be safe and sustainable for generations to come.

Driving directions:
ALTERNATE "TRAILHEAD": Rather than meeting at the official trailhead, meet at a wide shoulder "pull-out" on the right side, just before the hwy rounds Cape Horn. ---- From Vancouver: Take Hwy 14 East through Camas and continue thru Washougal. Once you leave the developed area near Washougal and enter the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, continue east approx. 5 miles. You will pass the jct with Belle Center Rd. on your left. From there continue about 1 mile to the gravel pull-out that will be on the right, it is at mile post 24.5. Please Drive Safely! It is about 30-45 min. from Downtown Vancouver. ----- If you are coming from the eastern Gorge, follow hwy 14 past Beacon Rock State Park for about 10 miles. You'll pass the official trailhead at the jct of Salmon Falls Rd and continue around Cape Horn, look for the wide shoulder on your left, if you go past the jct with Belle Center Rd, then you've gone too far. Total time from Bridge of the Gods: about 30 minutes.