If you’re looking for a short hike with views that will knock your socks off, Wind Mountain is your hike. Now, keep in mind, the views are great for a reason. This hike is in the majestic Columbia River Gorge, and while it clocks in at only less than three miles round trip, it does gain nearly 1,200 feet in elevation. So while it is short, the hike climbs a summit, and there are plenty of switchbacks. But once you get to the top, you’ll see what all of the fuss is about.
The views of the Columbia River Gorge are sprawling, and the peak of the hike actually carries centuries of culture and meaning. Native tribes of the Pacific Northwest used Wind Mountain as a sacred site for spirit quests, where they fasted and waited for visits from their spirit guardians. Signage at the peak gives a quiet notice that you are in a special place.