Head east from Portland and you can quickly feel like you are in a different land entirely. Here the Columbia Gorge opens up to spectacular sweeping views and plush green forests. Take this lovely hike to Horsetail Falls and escape into this wilderness that will make you think that you are in Middle Earth.
Idintify Media / Flickr The Columbia Gorge itself looks like some epic scene from Middle Earth.
Jenny Cestnik / Flickr If Middle Earth were marked with signs for hiking, this one would certainly be on the list.
Terry Chay / Flickr From the moment you escape the trail off of the Historic Columbia River Highway, the world of moss and water presents itself for you to enjoy.
Jake / Flickr The sound of water rushing around you makes you feel so far from civilization, especially if you hit the trail during the week when hikers are not as likely to be around.
Wayne Boardman / Flickr The short 2-mile trail is just minutes from the city, but a whole world away in a lush forest wonderland.
Michael Matti / Flickr Once you reach the falls, you will be mesmerized with the scenery and how close you can get to the falls.
Eliot Philips / Flickr You are even able to walk behind it, giving you a certain into the wild feeling.
Lisa Norwood / Flickr If you want to extend your adventure, you can carry on and catch this amazing sight of Triple Falls for a couple more miles of labor on the scenic path.
Wayne Boardman / Flickr But probably the greatest reward on this epic journey will be your Middle Earth-like views of the gorge once you ascend to the falls. This lovely trek is waiting for you just within reach a short ways down the Historic Columbia River Highway. Escape from your day and enjoy a land of make believe in the ancient forest setting.
Have you been to Horsetail Falls? Let us know what your experience was like below.
Idintify Media / Flickr
The Columbia Gorge itself looks like some epic scene from Middle Earth.
Jenny Cestnik / Flickr
If Middle Earth were marked with signs for hiking, this one would certainly be on the list.
Terry Chay / Flickr
From the moment you escape the trail off of the Historic Columbia River Highway, the world of moss and water presents itself for you to enjoy.
Jake / Flickr
The sound of water rushing around you makes you feel so far from civilization, especially if you hit the trail during the week when hikers are not as likely to be around.
Wayne Boardman / Flickr
The short 2-mile trail is just minutes from the city, but a whole world away in a lush forest wonderland.
Michael Matti / Flickr
Once you reach the falls, you will be mesmerized with the scenery and how close you can get to the falls.
Eliot Philips / Flickr
You are even able to walk behind it, giving you a certain into the wild feeling.
Lisa Norwood / Flickr
If you want to extend your adventure, you can carry on and catch this amazing sight of Triple Falls for a couple more miles of labor on the scenic path.
But probably the greatest reward on this epic journey will be your Middle Earth-like views of the gorge once you ascend to the falls. This lovely trek is waiting for you just within reach a short ways down the Historic Columbia River Highway. Escape from your day and enjoy a land of make believe in the ancient forest setting.
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