Located in the 130 kilometre-long canyon of the Columbia River in America's Pacific Northwest, the Columbia River Gorge is a popular recreational destination. This protected gorge is a hiker’s heaven, providing many steep and beautiful trails that lead through canyons amidst dense vegetation, wildflower fields, abundant rivers and breathtaking views. While the strong westerly wind that channels through the gorge creates world-class conditions for summer wind sports such as windsurfing and kite-boarding, the Hood River area lends itself well to rafting and mountain-biking. For those less inclined to strenuous activity, there are plenty of more sedate activities to enjoy such as visiting tranquil waterfalls, cherry picking, exploring picturesque orchards and sampling fine wines.