Things To Do: Villages Of Mt. Hood

Wildwood Recreation Site is a gorgeous area overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. Highlights include the Cascade Streamwatch Trail, which is a 0.75-mile trail that winds along the Salmon River. The most unique element is the fish viewing window that grants a below-water view of the life in the river. Other trails take you through lush wetlands or up steep slopes into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. 

For those who love to putter around, Mt. Hood Oregon Resort in Welches is home to Mt. Hood Golf Course. It's actually three courses that offer a total of 27 holes of play. And as you'd expect, the views from this course are as stellar as the play.

Once you're done on the course, pop over to The Spa at Mt. Hood and enjoy some self care. The spa has more than 5,000 square feet of pampering, all in the relaxing settings of the Mt. Hood National Forest. Tip: Make sure to take time to decompress in the relaxation area with their Infiniti Tea Garden.

The Sandy Ridge Trail System is a collection of some of the best mountain biking trails in the Pacific Northwest. There are more than 17 miles of single-track of varying levels of difficulty, so beginners and experts alike can have an amazing day of riding. 

While Burnt Lake itself is a few miles outside of the Villages of Mt. Hood, the trailhead is accessed near the community of Zigzag. The trail includes sweeping views, scenic streams, a large waterfall and is capped by Mt. Hood reflected in the cool waters of the trail's namesake Burnt Lake. It's considered a moderate hike of 6.6 miles. 

Another fun trail that kicks off from the Villages of Mt. Hood is the Flag Mountain Loop Trail. While it starts from Pioneer Bridle Trailhead, the Flag Mountain Loop is a much less-known hike than many of its counterparts in the area. The nearly seven-mile loop is a moderate hike offering some pretty incredible views of Mt. Hood.

Throughout The Villages you'll be able to find local shops filled with items. Plus it's all tax-free! Los Andes Shop is full of beautiful blankets, sweaters and ponchos imported directly from Ecuadorian artisans, in addition to amazing food, Koya Kitchen features a super fun gift shop filled with unique treasures and at The Mt. Hood Oregon Resort is home to wonderful souvenirs to enhance your Mt. Hood adventure.

During the years of 1925 through 1952, Henry Steiner, along with his wife, Mollie, and 13 children, built 100 log cabins and two log churches in the forests at the base of majestic Mt. Hood. You can visit one of the churches as it is now open to the public on the first Saturday of every month for tours from 10am-4pm. Admission: $10.00 with discounts for Students, Seniors (60+), Military, and Steiner Society members.