Cape Horn Trail
Just over 30 minutes from Portland, the Cape Horn Trail is one of the great hikes of the Columbia Gorge. In spring and early summer, wildflowers fill the undergrowth, lingering after the blooms have faded at the famous hikes farther east. Big leaf maples turn the forest into a mosaic of green and yellow in late October. All year, the spectacular viewpoints rival those at Angel’s Rest, with a fraction of the crowds. Between the easy drive time and stunning scenery, I visit about once a year. This year, I finally made it outside of the seasonal closure for peregrine falcon nesting and could do the full loop hike instead of an out-and-back. Here’s everything you need to know about hiking the Cape Horn Trail.
Cape Horn has great wildflowers in late spring
Know before you go
Parking for the Cape Horn Trail is free at the Salmon Falls Park & Ride. You don’t need a pass to park.
Restrooms are next to the parking lot.
This hike is popular. Arrive early on summer weekends.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail.
The Cape Horn Trail has viewpoints with unfenced drop-offs. It would be fine with older kids, but I’d skip it with kids younger than 7.
A portion of the Cape Horn Trail closes from February 1st to July 15th to protect nesting peregrine falcons. You can still do the hike as an out-and-back the rest of the year. I recommend turning around at the Nancy Russell viewpoint for a 5.2-mile hike. You can go farther, but it will mean a lot more uphill walking without much more to see.
Garter snake on the Cape Horn Trail
Cape Horn Trail
July 16th to January 31st
Distance: 7.2-mile loop
Elevation gain: 1,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass required: None
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trail.
ADA access: No
February 1st to July 15th
Distance: Up to 9 miles out and back (5.2 miles recommended)
Elevation gain: Up to 1,600 feet (700 feet recommended)
Difficulty: Moderate
Blue is the year-round trail, red is the seasonal closure
The details
Start here
From the parking lot, cross Salmon Falls Rd. The Cape Horn Trailhead is on the other side. The trail starts with a fork. It’s the beginning and end of the loop. Keep right towards the Upper Trail. You’ll cross a wooden footbridge over a little stream, then begin the many switchbacks up Cape Horn. Larkspur, columbine, foxglove, iris, and tiger lilies bloom along the trail in late spring and early summer. Big leaf maples add yellow to the forest at the end of October into early November.
Columbine
The first 1.5 miles are the hardest part of the Cape Horn Trail. Switchbacks keep it from being too intense, but they seem to go on forever. The advantage of doing the loop counterclockwise is that you get most of the elevation gain out of the way at the start. After about a mile, you pass some stone steps to nowhere. Okay, they lead to a power line corridor, but the views aren’t more interesting than what you’ll see on the trail. Past the steps, the trail splits into two paths, one for viewpoints, the other for horses. Since you’re not a horse, keep left.
First viewpoint
After the fork, you’ll reach Pioneer Point and the first spectacular views of the hike. Wildflowers bloom around the rim of the ledge overlooking the Columbia River from around 1,300 feet. It’s an ideal place for a snack break on a pretty summer day. When strong winds whip through the Gorge, even the views won’t keep you there for long.
Wildflowers bloom at the viewpoints in May
The trail passes two more overlooks. They have some of the best views on the hike and would be a good turnaround point if you’re looking for a shorter distance. All have unfenced drop-offs. Take care if you’re hiking with kids or dogs.
Pioneer Point
After the third viewpoint, you rejoin the horse trail and continue through the forest. The trail starts to level off and gets easier from here. Monkeyflower enters the wildflower mix in summer.
Cape Horn Trail
Around 2 miles, you’ll pass a farm where curious horses sometimes hang out by the fence. They enjoy scratches and compliments. After the farm, you cross the road.
The horses
The trail continues, nice and flat, through a field where lupines and daisies bloom in late May. In about a quarter mile, keep left at the fork, following the sign. You reenter the forest, where a sea of larkspur blooms in early summer.
Cape Horn Trail
The trail brings you to the Nancy Russell Viewpoint, which honors a woman who fought to save this area of the Columbia Gorge from development. From the wide stone circle, you can see east to Beacon Rock between the four tall trees. This viewpoint is a great turnaround spot when the full loop trail is closed. You’ve seen the best views, and the trail will be flat or downhill on the way back. It’s a little over 5 miles total if you turn around here.
Nancy Russell Viewpoint
If the loop is open, or if you want a longer and harder hike, continue on the trail next to the map.
Take this trail to continue the loop
The Cape Horn Trail starts heading downhill through a Doug fir, hemlock, and big leaf maple forest. It splits again from the horse route in about a half mile.
Cape Horn Trail
You’ll reach another viewpoint overlooking Beacon Rock in the distance. Phoca Rock is the little island below you in the Columbia River. After the viewpoint, you rejoin the horse trail. Then, you pass a mysterious falling-down shed. After a mile of easy downhill hiking, you cross through a tunnel that passes under Highway 14.
Tunnel under Highway 14
After the tunnel, you’ll reach the Cape Horn Falls Viewpoint. As a viewpoint, it’s excellent., You’ll see a magnificent Columbia River vista from the elegant stone circle. As a waterfall viewpoint, it’s underwhelming. The 600-foot Cape Horn Falls is tall but forgettable, trickling like a shower with low water pressure.
Stairs to the Cape Horn Falls Viewpoint
Back on the Cape Horn Trail, the Windblown Fir Viewpoint is just ahead. You get another look at the Gorge and Beacon Rock, plus a wind-buffeted Doug fir. During peregrine falcon nesting season, this viewpoint is as far as you can go. If you don’t stop at the Nancy Russell Viewpoint, turn around here for a 9-mile out-and-back hike.
Windblown Fir Viewpoint
Outside of nesting season, continue through the woods on the Cape Horn Loop.
Cape Horn Trail
You’ll pass Cigar Rock Viewpoint, where oddly-shaped basalt cliffs rise from the shore of the Columbia River.
Cigar Rock Viewpoint
Next, you’ll head up a couple of switchbacks through a rock scree field. Besides the long climb at the beginning of the hike, it’s the next hardest part of the Cape Horn Trail. My legs were feeling like jello walking uphill over tippy rocks at mile 6.
The weary trudge
After the rock scree, you get another look at the underwhelming drip of Cape Horn Falls.
Cape Horn Falls
The trail ends at Cape Horn Rd. Head left when you reach it. You’ll walk a little over a mile on the road to return to the parking lot. After rounding the corner, you’ll see the cliffs of Cape Horn, now from the bottom. Cows graze in the fields near the road. Scrub jays and Steller’s jays call from the trees.
The hike ends on a country road
Take the trail on the left side of Cape Horn Rd back to the Cape Horn Trailhead.
Look for the last bit of trail on the left side of the road
You’ll pass through another bridge under Highway 14, then return to your starting point.
Getting there
In Google Maps, navigate to the Salmon Falls Park & Ride/Cape Horn Trailhead. From Portland, take the I-5 or I-205 bridge to Vancouver and follow WA-14 E. Trailhead parking is just off the highway. Turn onto Salmon Falls Rd from WA-14 E, then make an immediate right onto Canyon Creek Rd. The Cape Horn parking area will be on your right. The drive from Portland takes about 35 minutes.
Shortcuts
You don’t have to walk 7 or even 5 miles to see great views on the Cape Horn Trail. Here are a couple of shortcuts. Both are family-friendly and avoid the unfenced drop-offs on the loop hike. These parking spots don’t have restrooms or other amenities.
Nancy Russell Viewpoint shortcut
Parking is next to this gate
At the end of Strunk Rd is a closed gate with room for a few cars next to it. I’ve never seen more than one or two here. Walk past the gate. The gravel road meets up with the Cape Horn Trail in about 0.1 miles. You’re starting in the open field just past the horse farm. The Nancy Russell Viewpoint is about 0.5 miles from the parking area. The hike is flat and easy.
Cape Horn Falls Viewpoint shortcut
Lower Cape Horn Trailhead
The Lower Cape Horn Trailhead is an unmarked dirt pull-off on the south side of Highway 14. You’ll pass it two miles before the Salmon Falls Park & Ride lot for the main Cape Horn Trailhead. Follow the narrow trail through the woods for a quarter mile until it intersects the Cape Horn Trail. Take a right, and the Cape Horn Falls Viewpoint will be just ahead. You can turn around here or continue another quarter mile to the Windblown Fir Viewpoint.
Enjoy your hike on the Cape Horn Trail!
With love,
Emma
Explore nearby
See incredible Cascade Mountain views on Silver Star Mountain.
Find the best waterfall hikes in the Washington Columbia Gorge.
Try the hikes in Beacon Rock State Park.
