It’s time to hit the Oregon trail
IN RECENT years, the state of Oregon in the Pacific Northwest has been getting a lot of attention. People are raving about its natural attractions, which are worthy of being rated among the best in the world. The compiler of the original Seven Wonders list had surely never seen snow-capped Mount Hood, or the grandeur of the Columbia River Gorge. And they certainly hadn’t explored the Oregon coast, the striped earth of Painted Hills, or the incredible Crater Lake, the deepest lake in America.
Now Britons have a direct route to explore these hidden gems thanks to a new non-stop flight between Heathrow and Portland with Delta, which begins on May 27.
Portland is a quirky city with giant bookstores, 65 microbreweries (it’s lovingly nicknamed Beervana), museums and hip stores, not to mention a fantastic, mostly free public transit system. Then it’s time to embark on an easy tour around Oregon’s finest natural jewels.
Along the way, you’ll find more scenic byways and tour routes than in any other state, with hot springs, fossil beds, 17 ghost towns, 30 million acres of forest and thousands of lakes. There are cowboy adventures, white-water rafting experiences, farmers’ markets and Gold Rush history, plus 700 vineyards and some 6,000 campsites.
Car hire is straightforward (but always let an attendant pump your petrol) and roads are quiet. And with no sales tax, prices are good.
So, for a different and ultra-scenic experience of America, this is the state to aim for. Here are just a few of the stupendous sights…
MAGIC OF WIZARD ISLAND
CRATER LAKE is the pride and joy of many Oregonians – and from atop its 33-mile rim, you can see what a wonder the world really is.
Formed in the crater of an extinct volcanic, the clear, intensely blue water set against a lofty mountain and forest backdrop is a photographer’s dream, as you don’t often witness such jaw-dropping hues in nature.
Wizard Island sits in the middle, a cinder cone that reaches 755ft above the lake’s surface.
Crater Lake National Park is found in the south of Oregon – also home to marble caves, vineyards, chocolatiers and cheesemakers galore.
A WHALE OF A TIME
THE rugged Oregon coast also has to be seen to be believed. In addition to 363 miles of pristine public coastline, there are tide pools, nine lighthouses and a world-class aquarium. Cannon Beach is a real stunner, with powdery sands and amazing rock formations.
From November to June, there’s the chance to spot thousands of grey whales as they migrate.
RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH
THE stunning Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, near Portland, showcases spectacular gorges and waterfalls – the most beautiful of which is the famous Multnomah Falls, the tallest in Oregon, traversed by a photo-friendly footbridge.
Majestic Mount Hood and the towering cliffs of the gorge look down on fishing boats and working tugs, but it doesn’t take much imagination to picture former Native American fishing platforms and labouring pioneers.
Mount Hood, the world’s secondmost climbed mountain, features 11 glaciers and is flanked by alpine lakes, with a huge choice of trails. And it also happens to host North America’s only year-round ski season.
WEIRD IS WONDERFUL
PORTLAND is the kind of city you visit for two days and then want to move to. Don’t be surprised to see Keep Portland Weird bumper stickers everywhere, reflecting the locals’ love of their intriguing city.
With its pretty parks and vibrant arts scene, famously great beer, coffee and cuisine, funky shopping districts, laidback locals and endearingly oddball vibe, it’s an unconventional place that’s hard not to like.
Try one of Portland’s famous food carts, explore the beautiful Japanese Garden, or stay in an ultra-cool boutique hotel.
It’s the perfect place to kickstart an incredible American adventure that’s definitely a bit different. And from next month, it will be easy to reach, opening up the chance to feel some of Oregon’s most spectacular natural wonders beneath your feet.