Rowena, a region in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge, is characterized by its unique ecological transition zone where the moist western Cascades meet drier eastern prairies. This convergence creates diverse landscapes, from dramatic river vistas to expansive plateaus and basalt formations. The area's terrain, including the iconic Rowena Crest Overlook and the expansive Rowena Plateau, offers varied opportunities for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and more. This natural setting provides a distinct backdrop for outdoor activities.
40
Routes
4.7
(23)
Average rating
614
People visited

1
hikers
3.42km
00:53
10m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1.63km
00:31
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1.31km
00:25
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1.33km
00:39
240m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4
runners
9.97km
01:27
470m
470m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
28.7km
04:09
1,220m
1,220m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

6
runners
16.3km
02:00
130m
130m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
8.04km
01:12
380m
380m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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82.9km
03:04
710m
710m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
74
riders
73.2km
03:59
1,140m
1,140m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

9
riders
50.7km
02:40
900m
900m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

10
riders
21.0km
01:06
110m
110m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(2)
55
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
riders
69.0km
06:00
1,200m
1,200m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

12
riders
43.0km
03:26
330m
330m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
riders
76.9km
06:25
1,440m
1,440m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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9
riders
58.0km
04:45
1,040m
1,040m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
99.0km
08:07
1,990m
2,000m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
70.9km
05:07
770m
770m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
riders
141km
08:51
2,100m
2,100m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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6
riders
13.7km
01:23
390m
390m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4
riders
80.4km
06:26
930m
930m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
78.9km
06:19
1,410m
1,410m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
Rowena offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Jogging, Gravel biking, and Mountain biking. The region features diverse landscapes suitable for different skill levels. More than 1,600 visitors have explored routes in Rowena, which hold an average rating of 4.51 out of 5 stars.
Popular hiking trails in Rowena include the Rowena Plateau Loop, an easy 2-mile (3.2 km) hike, and the more challenging Tom McCall Point Hike, which climbs 1,000 feet (305 m) in elevation. Both offer expansive views of the Columbia River Gorge. For more options, explore the Hiking around Rowena guide.
Yes, Rowena offers easy hiking trails suitable for beginners. The Rowena Plateau Loop is an accessible option, providing scenic views over a distance of approximately 2 miles (3.2 km). Another resource is the Easy hikes around Rowena guide.
The best time to see wildflowers in Rowena is typically in spring, during April and May. The Rowena Plateau and the Tom McCall Preserve at Rowena are particularly known for vibrant displays of balsamroot and lupine during this period.
Road cyclists can enjoy the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, which includes the famous Rowena Loops and the Twin Tunnels segment. Routes vary in difficulty and length, offering significant elevation changes and views. Consult the Road Cycling Routes around Rowena guide for detailed options.
Yes, Rowena offers options for both gravel biking and mountain biking. The region's diverse terrain includes routes suitable for these activities. Specific trails and routes can be found in the Gravel biking around Rowena and MTB Trails around Rowena guides.
Joggers can utilize many of the less strenuous hiking and cycling trails in Rowena. The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and the Riverfront Trail (Wasco County) offer paved, scenic pathways. For more information, refer to the Running Trails around Rowena guide.
Key attractions in Rowena include the Rowena Crest Overlook, which provides panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge, and the Rowena Loops, a series of winding curves on the Historic Columbia River Highway. The Tom McCall Preserve at Rowena is also a significant natural feature, especially known for its spring wildflowers.
Dog policies vary by specific trail and land manager within the Rowena region. For example, dogs are generally not permitted on the Tom McCall Point Trail at Tom McCall Preserve to protect sensitive habitats. It is advisable to check specific trail regulations before visiting.
Komoot offers several guides for Rowena, covering various sports and difficulties. These include Hiking around Rowena, Easy hikes around Rowena, Road Cycling Routes around Rowena, Cycling around Rowena, Running Trails around Rowena, Gravel biking around Rowena, and MTB Trails around Rowena.
As Rowena is an unincorporated community, there is no single official website or general phone number for the entire region as a tourist destination. Information for specific attractions, such as the Tom McCall Preserve, can be found through The Nature Conservancy in Oregon, or for state parks, through Oregon State Parks.

