Last updated June 7, 2026

Event for 2027 has not been confirmed yet… Gorge Waterfalls 2027, born from the minds of Freetrail & Daybreak Racing, is one of the notable trail race events in the Pacific Northwest, home to some of the most extraordinary trail-running terrain in the United States. Gorge Waterfalls offers scenic 100K, 50K, and 30K trail running races through the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. After four years of cancellation and thousands of hours of trail restoration from numerous groups, the event successfully came back in 2022 with a fresh vision and a new start/finish area along the banks of the Columbia River at Marine Park in Cascade Locks.

The Gorge Waterfalls event stands out with its status as a Western States 100 qualifier—the 100K race is the golden ticket for the ultra-elite who finish under 18 hours. It is also a UTMB World Series Index Race.

This ultra-distance course is a spectacular tour of the Columbia River Gorge, showcasing the grandeur of the region. Starting in the pre-dawn quiet at Cascade Locks, runners embark on an out-and-back journey downriver towards the awe-striking Multnomah and Wahkeena Falls, before retracing their steps and then pushing upriver past Herman Creek, all the way to Wyeth Trailhead, and back. The course is generally very runnable, with many punchy hill climbs and the terrain is a mix of rocky singletrack with patches of smoother trails, interrupted by stretches of paved paths and rural roads. With 11,000 feet of elevation gain and descent over 62 miles, eight aid stations dot the course, three of which offer drop bag access, and five are accessible for crew support.

Offering a west-to-east transect through the Gorge, the 50K runners start from Wahkeena Day Use Area and wind past the iconic waterfalls, coursing along the Gorge 400 Trail with views that captivate. With a substantial 5,800 feet of elevation gain and loss, this course is a test of endurance on a variety of terrain, from technical rocky stretches to forgiving dirt paths. Four aid stations provide sustenance and support, with drop bag access and crew access points along the way.

The 30K offers a condensed version of the Gorge’s splendor, perfect for those seeking speed and scenery. The elevation profile here is a more modest 2,700 feet of gain and loss, starting from Wahkeena Day Use Area and journeying towards the falls, then along the scenic trails all the way to Marine Park’s finish line.

The 30K and 50K deploy wave starts to avoid crowding, while the 100K runners share the excitement of a mass start. Celebrations are integral, with food, drink, and lively gatherings awaiting at Marine Park Pavilion. Custom awards, a prize purse for top finishers, and equal podium spots and prize money for female and male participants keep the spirits high.