From The Dalles to Portland or Vancouver, take the bus to the trailhead this spring

Since 2019, the Dog Mountain shuttle has been helping hikers get to a small trailhead for a popular trail without worrying about parking. The operation has rave reviews from hikers in trip reports:

• “Do yourself a favor and take the free shuttle to/from Stevenson and enjoy this amazing hike during peak wildflower season for free.” — trip reporter findthefuturepath
• “It is easy, free, parking for your car and very frequent.” — trip reporter cristina
• “It was a quick and easy way to get to the trail…” — trip reporter Wasgiz13

It’s a popular service, but it’s far from the only transit-to-trail option hikers near the Gorge have.

Hikers line up for the Dog Mountain Shuttle on a sunny day in the Gorge. Photo courtesy Amy Schlappi

Five transit operations make up Gorge Transit, an alliance of rural public-transportation providers, human-service organizations and public planning agencies that offer a variety of transportation services stretching between Portland, Oregon and Goldendale, Washington.

• Research required

• These transit routes do not appear on Google or Apple, though we were able to get the Columbia Gorge Express as a transit option on TOTAGO.

• Look for all routes and transit at gorgetransit.com

• When in doubt, give the bus lines a call! For more tips, see our hiking by transit resource.

Only two buses offer recreation-specific services: the springtime Dog Mountain shuttle and in winter, the Gorge to Mountain bus which runs from Hood River up to Mount Hood Meadows and Teacup. However, hikers can use a variety of bus services to access up to 20 trailheads all along the Columbia River Gorge.

"A range of people utilize the service," said Kathy Fitzpatrick, senior project and mobility manager for the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District. MCEDD is a longtime supporter of transit efforts in the Columbia River Gorge, and encourages linking riders to the towns along the bus routes.

“Locally, I know a lot of kids use the bus system to get to recreational areas like trails and waterfront parks. Older adults will use (it) to get to a feature attraction like Multnomah Falls. Kids also do field trips to trailheads along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and they'll take the bus to get there."

It's also not uncommon for bikers to use the bus one-way. Kathy says a popular choice is for bikers to ride one-way on a section of the paved Historic Columbia River Highway, usually to Hood River, then pick up a Portland-bound bus heading back and get off at one of the stops near their vehicle.

Heading to the trail after a nice bus ride! Photo courtesy Amy Schlappi.

Hike like you live here

The services are interconnected and link with each other. Even if you're starting in Portland or Vancouver, hikers can utilize the buses to plan a car-free visit to trails all over the Gorge. 

Kathy recommends riders consider buying a Gorge Transit Pass. This bus pass is $40 annually, and works on all the bus lines we include below. Kathy also recommends reviewing these trip suggestions, which include several of the destinations listed above and more. Also helpful is this map, which outlines the routes, stops (both fixed and flag stops) and what there is to do at each stop.

Hike from the riverside to summits with Skamania County Transit

Skamania County Transit (formerly known as West End Transit or the WET Bus) operates a line that runs from Fishers Landing Transit Center just east of Washougal to White Salmon with a stop in Cascade Locks across the river.

Views from Cape Horn, one of the trails accessible via this bus line. Photo by trip reporter Becky Andrade.

Hikers can flag or request a stop at the Cape Horn Trail, North Bonneville (to see the short North Bonneville trails or to set off for a big hike to Table Mountain). And of course Cascade Locks is a PCT town, so visitors there can get on the Pacific Crest Trail and head as far north or south as you like.

You can also connect to the towns of Stevenson and Carson, which you may want to use as a basecamp for a weekend of hiking and bussing through the Gorge.

See the waterfall corridor and more with the CAT(bus)

In addition to the dedicated Dog Mountain Shuttle, the Columbia Area Transit service runs several bus lines, but most hikers will want the Columbia Gorge Express, which follows I-80 along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge and offers stops at Multnomah Falls and Cascade Locks.

From the express bus, riders can connect to the Hood River Route to get around town, or to connect to the Upper Valley Route, which accesses shops, restaurants and breweries beyond Hood River.

Or you can opt for the White Salmon route on summer weekends to get across the river and visit the shops and restaurants there. You can even connect to Amtrak in White Salmon where you can hop on the train and head to points east. 

LINK up to hikes near Mosier

Mosier Falls and plateau are accessible from the LINK bus stop in town and offer a gorgeous meadow to wander through. Photo by trip reporter Savvy Exploring.

East of Hood River, riders can use The LINK in Wasco County to access Mosier Plateau, Mosier Twin Tunnels or the in-town Waterfront Park Trail. It takes just a short walk east through town on the Historic Columbia River Highway from the drop at the Park and Ride to the Mosier Plateau trailhead.

When you’re done, you’re close to bars, cafes and restaurants. Or you can hop back on the bus and head into The Dalles for more choices.

Get to Goldendale on MATS

Mount Adams Transportation Services is primarily a dial-a-ride and fixed route service for folks living in the White Salmon and Goldendale areas. Currently the route does not stop at any trailheads, but they are waiting for a grant to come through for a connection route that would pass by the Lyle Cherry Orchard trailhead. In the meantime, it's a great way to get between White Salmon and Goldendale, and get around both towns.

In Goldendale, a small trail leaves from the north end of town and climbs to the Goldendale Observatory. We recommend the evening program there, but get reservations well in advance.

Did you try any or all of these trips? We want to hear about it in a trip report. Show us your smiling faces on the bus, and what the hike was like when you got there!