Beacon Rock Trail

Beacon Rock Trail ascends one of the most extraordinary geological features in the Pacific Northwest: an 848-foot basalt monolith that is considered the second largest such formation in the world, rising dramatically from the north bank of the Columbia River in the Columbia River Gorge. The trail is a true engineering marvel, a switchbacking path with 52 turns constructed in 1915-1918 by Henry Biddle using steel cables, ladders, and hand-carved stone steps to make the summit accessible. The route clings to the sheer rock face, protected by handrails and barriers, as it climbs in short, steep switchbacks through open basalt with increasingly dramatic exposure. The summit rewards climbers with a breathtaking panoramic view across the Columbia River Gorge, with the river broad and silver below, Washington state forests extending northward, and the Oregon hills rising to the south. Mount Hood is visible on clear days. Beacon Rock itself is the solidified core of an ancient volcano, its outer layers having been eroded away by catastrophic Missoula Floods that swept through the gorge approximately 15,000 years ago. Peregrine falcons nest on the cliff faces and are often visible soaring above. Despite the strenuous grade, the short distance makes this a manageable challenge for most hikers. Do not attempt in wet or icy conditions.