The Best Mount Hood Hikes With Breathtaking Views

Mount Hood is the Gem of Oregon and just an hour and a half outside of Portland. This area is known for having year-round skiing at Timberline Lodge. It is the only year-round ski resort in North America and endless hiking opportunities. Many trails are only open in the summer and fall months due to excessive snowfall which closes many trails. If you’re open to snowshoeing, there are countless year-round trails as well that make for beautiful winter hikes! Below is a list of my favorite hikes near Mount Hood.

Tom, Dick and Harry Mountain

This is by far the most popular and crowded hike on the list. The trail can hikeable year round and has amazing views of Mount Hood and a lake. The parking lot is off Highway 26, next to the Ski Bowl. It is small and fills up quickly all year. In the summer cars can use the Ski Bowl parking lot if it’s full. Tom, Dick and Harry is a family friendly hike and dogs are allowed, but must be kept on a leash.

The trail meanders through the forest, over bridges and up some switchbacks before popping out at Mirror Lake. There is a view of Mount Hood from the southwest side of the lake. Some people only hike to the lake for views of the mountain, but continue on the trail past the lake to reach the summit.

The trail will take you over a boulder field about halfway up as well as one at the summit. In order to reach the viewpoint, you will need to do a relatively easy scramble up some rocks to the top. At the top you will have uninterrupted views of Mount Hood directly in front of you!

If you want to do this hike in the winter, you can easily hike to Mirror Lake with microspikes. If you’re breaking the trail you’ll want snowshoes though. Once you leave Mirror Lake the snow becomes deeper and snowshoes are necessary to prevent post holing.

Be mindful of where you choose to hang out at the summit. Many people will be up there and want to have a chance to snap photos themselves. Try and always sit to the side where you can still enjoy the views without blocking others from enjoying it as well.

Ramona Falls

This is my favorite waterfall around Mount Hood! The trail itself is a relatively gradual uphill climb to the waterfall and can be done as an out and back or as a loop. I would suggest the loop because both trails are beautifully unique in their own way.

The only potentially difficult section of this trail is crossing the Sandy River, which in summer months can be extremely strong as snow is melting above. There is a large log where hikers can cross the river without getting wet. You should never cross a river alone, so make sure you are hiking with others or cross the river when other hikers are around. Talk to a local forest ranger for up to date conditions of this crossing before you go so you know what to expect and if you will need a pair of water shoes.

The parking lot for this hike is usually packed before 9am on a weekend. Go early or be willing to wait for a spot to open up. The first time I did this hike, I arrived at the parking lot half packed before 8am and a lot of people already sitting around at the waterfall. The waterfall itself has a great open space across from it where you can sit and enjoy the view with a snack break.

There is a roped off area on the right side of the waterfall where you can see people have walked up to take photos. The sign asks people to stay out of that area for preservation, so please do not cross over the rope and go up to the right side of the waterfall.

The road to the trailhead is closed late fall through late spring/early summer. Some people will park where it closes and walk to it. This will add multiple miles each way and shouldn’t be done unless you know the conditions of the river crossing and have experience hiking long distance.

Paradise Park

This hike makes for an amazing backpacking or day hiking trail, but is only accessible in the summer months once the ski lifts have closed. The trail starts at Timberline Lodge and follows the PCT until the Paradise Loop junction.

The trail starts with minor elevation gains and loss as it winds around the small canyons. The first major viewpoint will be at the top of the Zigzag Canyon. From there the trail quickly drops with switchbacks down to the canyon floor. There is a river crossing, but most of the time hikers can cross over the logs or rocks without getting their feet wet. Talk to a local forest ranger for up to date conditions of this crossing before you go so you know what to expect and if you will need a pair of water shoes.

There is a waterfall just upriver that you can see from the river crossing. You can walk over the rocks a ways to get up close to it, or continue on the trail to Paradise. You will immediately begin an uphill climb before you reach the first loop option to the right. There is no major difference in the trails besides scenery so I would suggest doing it as a loop if you can.

You can take the first right or continue to the second sign and take the second right. Both trails will meet back up in a meadow with another sign indicating you made it to the beginning of Paradise. Whichever route you took in, remember to take the other one out. The trail into Paradise will either be continuing straight if you took the first turn or take a right if you took the second turn. From there you will cross over multiple streams and stunning wildflower fields in the summer.

Be sure to check out Split Rock, a large boulder split in two. If you have time and are comfortable adding miles to an already 13+ day I would recommend going up one of the trails that least up the ridges. The views of Mount Hood get better with every step and the wildflower fields in the summer are breathtaking.

Practice leave no trace and never walk into the wildflower field/meadows or pick them. It is illegal and finable if a ranger catches you, and every flower picked is one less flower for you fellow hiker to enjoy! If everyone goes and picks just one flower, eventually there won’t be fields of flowers to enjoy for those that come after you, so be respectful of your fellow hiker and nature. If you want to learn more about this hike, check out my “Paradise Park” guide for a more in-depth trail description.

Tamanawas Falls

Tamanawas Falls is a year-round must! It is also extremely busy and the parking lot fills up quickly, located just off OR-35 on the east side of Mount Hood. Plan to go early or on a weekday if you don’t want the crowd or to have to potentially wait for a spot to open up.

Tamanawas Trail is an easily hike in the summer when it isn’t covered in snow and ice. There is a river crossing with a nice bridge built over it just past the parking lot. The trail will take you along the highway before quickly turning towards the mountain and into the forest. The elevation gain is very gradual in spots, but in the winter is can feel like an ice slide in spots if you don’t go with proper traction. You will want to bring microspikes to put over you boots if there is snow or ice otherwise you will easily fall.

After working your way through the forest and over a boulder field you will soon spot the falls in the distance. The right side of the falls is a boulder field people climb up and find nice spots to sit and enjoy snacks in the summer. In the winter, rocks are covered in snow making it easy to posthole (fall through the snow) and twist an ankle, so hikers should step carefully.

Be mindful of how much time you take standing in front of the waterfall itself. Others will want to take photos, so parking it for a snack in front of it make it hard for others to share the space. Try and find a spot off to the side where you can still enjoy the views without blocking your fellow hikers.

Lost Lake

This is easily the most family friendly and easy hike on this list. It’s perfect for newer hikers, kids or if you just want a hike with beautiful views. It is located at Lost Lake Resort, which has a $9 parking fee. They also have a campground so you could camp there and then enjoy the lake and hike while you’re camping. Lost Lake is an amazing summer paddle spot too, but it is closed during winter months.

The lake is extremely popular on summer weekends and the parking area fills quickly. The trail takes you around the entire lake and is very minimal elevation gain. The trail is well maintained and has lake views the entire way as well as views of Mount Hood from the west side of the lake. If you are up for it, I would also suggest doing Lost Lake Butte, which is a 3.7 mile out and back trail with 1,292 ft. in elevation gain. The trailhead is located on the east side of the parking lot. If you can add this hike in, you will have a day filled with a stunning lake and beautiful views of Mount Hood.

Top Spur and McNeil Point

Both of these hikes have absolutely breathtaking views of Mount Hood and are various difficulty levels. The road to the trailhead is a washboard road and easy for any car to reach in the summer months. Many people snowshoe the trails in late fall and late spring. This is not advised unless you have proper equipment to get your car unstuck and communicate with people out of cell service range.

The road is covered in snow in fall and it is easy to get stuck. I’ve snowshoed Top Spur in November and left the car almost two miles from the trailhead because the bottom of the SUV was scraping the snow. I even saw a truck stuck maybe 50 feet away. So unless you have experience driving in the backcountry with deep snow or have a snowmobile, I would recommend sticking to early fall or summer for these Mount Hood hikes.

Top Spur can be hiked as an out and back trail or as a loop. After about a half mile you will reach the PCT/Timberline Trail junction. There is a large sign and wilderness permit box where you need to fill out a permit to continue on. There are two trails to the right of the sign, The PCT taking you down and the Top Spur which takes you up. Take the Top Spur and head up through the trees. It’s another half mile before you will pop out along the side of Bald Mountain to sweeping views of Mount Hood and the Muddy Fork Canyon. From this opening you can either turn around or continue straight to the Timberline Trail Junction. Take the junction and then take a left on the Timberline Trail to return to the large sign and back down to the trailhead.

The McNeil trail starts at the same trailhead and you can even hike to Top Spur before continuing on to McNeil Point. When you reach the PCT/Timberline Trail junction about half a mile in you will have two choices. The first is to take the Top Spur trail to the right. If you take the trail to the right, it will loop you to Top Spur where you can continue on and cut back to the Timberline Trail shortly after. Your other option is to skip the Top Spur trail at the junction and take the Timberline Trail to the left of the large map/sign.

The section shortly after the two trails meet again recently had a lot of blown downs from storm. Many large down trees have been cleared, there are still plenty of down trees to climb over or around. This section can be difficult and exhausting. Eventually you will get out of the downed trees and continue working your way up the ridge where you will again get a beautiful glimpse of Mount Hood. Around 1.2/1.3 miles there is a sign and trail that takes you off the Timberline Trail and towards the McNeil Point on the right. There is a small rock shelter you can warm up or cool down in. Be mindful of other hikers wanting to enjoy the space or snap photos of it, so either limit your stay or find a spot off to the side to enjoy the views and share the space.

This hike travels along the Timberline Trail. To learn more about how to backpack the entire way around Mt. Hood, be sure to check out my “The Timberline Trail” guide.

Cooper Spur to Eliot Glacier

The road to Cloud Cap requires a high clearance car or you need to be comfortable driving a low clearance car. I drove my low clearance car up there before, but I drove very slow and it did scrape. The parking lot is extremely small, so there is always a chance you won’t find a spot. Going early in the morning or a weekday will give you a better chance of snagging a parking spot. The road to the trailhead is closed in the winter and spring until the snow significantly melts. Be mindful of the elevation and exposure of this hike. Always know the weather forecast and pack appropriately to be fully exposed and in the elements.

There are two ways to reach Cloud Cap and Eliot Glacier. The first is to take the Eliot East Moraine junction. The trail will be very steep and over soft sand for a section before popping out on the rocky ridge. You then continue along the ridge for anywhere from .3-almost a mile. There are multiple trails to the left that connect to the next ridge, where the trail will continue up to Cooper Spur. The trail can be tricky to find this direction at the end of the ridge.

The second option is to continue on the Timberline Trail until you reach the Cloud Cap shelter junction. The shelter is just off the trail and many people hike to the shelter and then turn around. The views at the shelter are stunning and the hike to continue on to Cooper Spur can be very difficult. If you stop at the shelter, be mindful of you fellow hiker. Do not sit or put your stuff directly in front of the shelter. Sit off to the side and share the space for those wanting to enjoy the view and snap photos.

From either the shelter or the Eliot East Moraine, you will continue straight up. The trail has long switchbacks that will wind you up to Cooper Spur. The views of the glacier the entire way up are stunning. The last section of the trail is narrow and can be uncomfortable if you are afraid of heights. Many people turn around and don’t continue on. Plus the views before this ridge are equally stunning. If you are comfortable crossing this section of the ridge, it’s a short climb to the end of the trail. From the top you will have stunning views of multiple glaciers and Mount Hood directly in front of you. While hiking up we even witnessed a small avalanche.

Remember, hiking on a mountain at a high elevation can bring about many challenges. This trail is fully exposed, resulting in easy sunburns. Cover your skin, wear a hat and use sunscreen. The weather can also change quickly high on the mountain even though the forecast for lower elevations is nice. Pack the 10 essentials, warm layers like down jackets, wind breakers, hats and gloves. There are no water sources on this hike besides at the trailhead, so pack plenty of water. You need more than one water bottle and drink regularly to prevent dehydration. There will be snow at higher elevations on this trail in early summer or late fall. Call the local forest station and ask about current conditions to know if you can use microspikes or if you need snowshoes.

White River

White River is a popular snow park on Mount Hood in the winter, but is a beautiful spot in other months as well. The parking lot fills up quickly in winter months, but is mostly empty in the summer months. The trail goes along the left side of White River and continues along the PCT to Timberline Lodge. Although people sled here all winter, be mindful in the spring of the snow melt making and ice bridges.

The trail is 3.4 miles round trip along the White River. The trail goes along a the edge of a ridge along the river bank before hitting the tree line in 1.2 miles. On a clear day there will be beautiful views of Mount Hood.

If you want to continue to Timberline Lodge, it’s an additional 1.8 miles each way, but so worth it! You will gain an additional 1,000 plus feet of elevation gain. The views on the trail and wildflowers are stunning as you climb up Mount Hood. To top it off you can reward yourself with a drink at the lodge before hiking back down. This is a popular trail in the summer months, but in the winter most people stay near the river bed. Try calling the local ranger station to get a condition report and ask about winter hiking it.

Reminders

• Always carry the 10 essentials in your backpack. You can learn more about these items in my “The 10 Essentials” guide. Although these trails are all relatively easy, injury is always possible. Inclement weather can hit anytime resulting in the need to be rescued. Always carry the proper gear to potentially spend the night on trail.

• Practice leave no trace on trail. This means stay on trail, never pick wildflowers, carry out all your trash and go prepared.

• Always be prepared for river crossings and contact the local ranger station to check on the current conditions. River crossings can be dangerous. Always unclip your backpack straps in case you fall.

• Check the weather before you hike. These hikes are located in the mountain which have extreme weather year-round. Hikers can easily get stuck in snow or thunderstorms.

• Wear proper shoes. Hiking boots and trail runners are best for mountain terrain. Pack a pair of water shoes that will be secure on your foot if you need to wear one for a river crossing. Learn more about shoes for hiking here.

• You will need to have a recreation pass year round for these trailheads. Sno-park passes are required at the trailheads in the winter. Northwest Forest Passes are required for the rest of the year. Passes are available online or at a recreational store like REI.

Mount Hood is full of so many amazing hikes, you can’t go wrong with whatever you pick. One of the reasons I love this area is because you can do a hike in the winter and again in the summer but have a completely different view and experience. Hopefully you’re able to check off some of these trails. If you’ve already done some of these hikes, try doing it again during a different season!

For more amazing waterfall hikes check out my “The Best Waterfall Hikes Within 2 Hours of Portland” guide. Mount Hood is just a short drive to the famous Columbia Gorge too. Learn more about exploring this area in my “The Columbia Gorge” guide.

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