Historic Columbia River Highway, National Historic Landmark road in Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, US
The Historic Columbia River Highway stretches roughly 120 kilometers through the Columbia River Gorge, linking Troutdale to The Dalles via multiple concrete bridges and switchbacks. The route follows the river course, winding through forested slopes and along cliff faces, with some sections preserved as paved roads and others as narrow trails.
Engineer Samuel Lancaster planned the route between 1913 and 1922 as the first designed scenic roadway in North America, borrowing techniques from Alpine regions. Completion of Interstate 84 in the 1950s led to the abandonment of many sections, until preservation projects in the 1980s began restoring portions.
Local groups maintain the old sections so visitors can walk or cycle where early motorists once drove slowly to admire the gorge views. The route still links small towns along the river, allowing travelers to stop at viewpoints and waterfalls without modern highway noise.
Some sections remain open to slow vehicle traffic, while others are reserved for bicycles and pedestrians. Visitors should bring weather-appropriate clothing, as fog and rain are common in autumn and spring.
The bridges were designed with arches and decorative railings to blend into the landscape like natural rock formations. Some tunnels pass directly behind waterfalls, allowing travelers to feel the spray through the openings.
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