Natural Wonders of Oregon

Fly to Portland. On arrival collect your car and head to your hotel. This urban hotspot delights with its many intriguing neighbourhoods, each with their own unique flavour and heritage. It's also received national accolades for its cuisine, vibrant arts scene, great theatres and funky shopping districts. Explore Forest Park, the Pearl District, Nob Hill and the Japanese Garden as well as sampling some fine ale at a brewpub.

A short drive from Portland takes you to Oregon's Pacific Coast Highway with its picturesque scenery, lush evergreen forests and quaint coastal towns. Your destination is the charming city of Astoria (98 miles). Nestled perfectly between the mouth of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean, this gem is chock-a-block with forts, museums and outdoor adventure. Get a bird's eye view from atop the Astoria Column and be sure to walk the historic Astoria Riverwalk trail, which is full of delicious restaurants, breweries and viewing areas.

Head south along a sparsely settled and unspoiled stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway towards Newport. Recommended stopping points include Ecola State Park whose many trails lead you to the high sea cliffs overlooking the pristine blue waters and dark, grey sea stacks or Cannon Beach, whose sandy shores are crowned by Haystack Rock (133 miles). This warm and welcoming city lies between the Coast Mountains,Pacific Ocean and Yaquina Bay.

Hit the road once more and head further south moving inland. Break your journey at Eugene which sits beside the Willamette River and offers an array of outdoor recreation opportunities. Travel on to Ashland, another fantastic place to get stuck into the outdoor life (271 miles).

Drive to Crater Lake National Park, a place of mysterious beauty. Surrounded by sheer cliffs nearly 2,000 feet high Crater Lake itself is deep, pure and astoundingly blue, so little wonder that it's hailed as one of the seven wonders of Oregon. Just outside Bend is the Newberry Crater National Monument, a geological and recreational wonderland whose landscape is embellished with volcanoes, ancient lava floes, dazzling lakes and a labyrinth of underground caverns (185 miles).

As you follow the road north, make a pitstop in Smith Rock State Park whose hiking trails along the Crooked River deliver grand vistas of the canyon. Later, join a section of the Mount Hood Scenic Byway which showcases some of the states's temperate rainforests, lush valleys and rich pioneer history. Continue to Hood River (142 miles).

As you return to Portland, we recommend a final scenic stop off point at the Multnomah Falls. Dropping an impressive 620 feet, the falls are one of Oregon’s most popular natural attractions. Continue to Portland where your tour ends with your onward journey (63 miles).