Gorge Towns to Trails:  Making the Connection

Gorge Towns to Trails is a vision for a comprehensive trail system that wraps around the Columbia Gorge, linking communities with recreation, benefiting tourism, and highlighting and enhancing the beauty and wonder of the Columbia Gorge. Friends of the Columbia Gorge is leading this effort and seeks input and partnerships from Gorge communities, citizens and elected officials.

The Project

As the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area reaches its 25th year, Friends of the Columbia Gorge is launching the first phase of Gorge Towns to Trails (GT2T). Our goal is to create nearly 60 miles of trail connecting Gorge urban areas to National Scenic Area lands.

The goals of GT2T:

• Create new trails, opening hidden vistas and waterfalls to Gorge recreation users
• Benefit Gorge economy by connecting trails to communities
• Support sustainable recreation through alternative transportation options
• Create contiguous parcels of protected lands that benefit wildlife

The Trails

The first phase of GT2T will include the following trail segments:

Lyle, Washington

A six-mile trail connecting the urban area of Lyle to the top of the Cherry Orchard. Long-term potential to eventually connect the trail to Dallesport and Columbia Hills State Park.

Hood River to The Dalles

A 20-mile trail vision connecting the Historic Columbia River Highway, Mosier Plateau, Tom McCall Plateau, Seven Mile Hill and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, as well as the communities of Hood River, Mosier, and The Dalles.

Washougal to Stevenson

A 34-mile trail vision connecting Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge, Cape Horn (pictured at right), Pacific Crest Trail and Beacon Rock State Park, as well as the communities of Stevenson, North Bonneville and Washougal.

Articles about GT2T

• The Trail Companion: A Newsletter of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail (see pp. 8-15)
• The Gorge magazine (article begins on page 42)
• The Columbian newspaper

Supporting Organizations

Gorge Towns to Trails Partner Organizations help create grassroots support by communicating the vision of a loop trail that encircles the entire Gorge.

Gorge Towns to Trails Supporter Organizations lend credibility and support to the project by listing their organizations’ name on Gorge Towns to Trails printed materials.

View a list of GT2T Supporter Organizations

Friends of the Columbia Gorge is committed to working with public land managers and communities to realize the GT2T vision.

For questions or comments, please contact Renee Tkach at renee@gorgefriends.org or 503-680-3119.