Wahkeena Trail (#420) is a perfect hike for beginner hikers. Even though there’s some elevation change, it is a short jaunt to Lemmon’s Viewpoint (1.4 miles round trip) or you can make it even shorter with just a 0.4 mile round trip to the bridge. The Wahkeena trail is visually stimulating with cascading streams, the Columbia River in the distance, and lush greenery surrounding you at every turn. The trail climbs in one long switchback to a stone bridge at the base of Wahkeena Falls, a good spot to snap a few photos.

Wahkeena Falls trailhead sign

From there, the trail ascends steeply, gaining about 400 feet in elevation in about half a mile. Don’t be discouraged, the views at the top are worth the climb. You’ll pass by a few pretty rock walls, a bench cemented into a wall and better views as you continue to trek uphill. At the top of the first climb, you’ll crest a ridge. Follow the pavement out to Lemmon’s Viewpoint. This viewpoint is dedicated to a firefighter who lost his life fighting forest fires near here.

Supposedly, there is an unmarked trail to the top of Wahkeena Falls if you’re feeling extra adventurous, however I did not hike this trail. It is said to be challenging.

There is also a longer loop trail, 4.8 miles roundtrip, that takes hikers past Multnomah Falls, Wahkeena Falls, and Fairy Falls. To complete this loop start at either the Wahkeena or Multnomah Falls trailheads. Starting at Multnomah Falls you will need to make your way through the crowds, ascending uphill for nearly a mile along 11 switchbacks until the trail splits. Continue the loop by following the Larch Mountain Trail. It turns left at the top of the ridge (whereas the right will take you to the Multnomah Falls viewpoint).

The next 0.8 miles you will encounter a few smaller waterfalls. Soon you’ll come to a signed intersection with the Wahkeena Trail #420, which turns right leading west towards the Wahkeena Creek basin. Turn right here. The next section of the trail proceeds gradually uphill, with views of the Columbia River available here and there. At about 0.9 miles, the trail crests at a prominent three-way trail junction with a well-marked sign. You can either go right or straight, both trails will drop you off at the same point near the top of the Wahkeena valley. Going straight is slightly shorter and this trail is in better condition.

Follow the trail gradually downhill through the forest for about 0.3 miles, before you reach an intersection for Angel’s Rest Trail #415. The loop from here will continue downhill to the right, following the Wahkeena Creek. After about half a mile you will cross a tributary stream beneath Fairy Falls.

Further downhill, between the steep sides of the valley, the trail crosses Wahkeena Creek twice, on footbridges. Then you will encounter switchbacks downhill to the base of Wahkeena Falls. Cross a stone bridge and before you know it, you’ll be in the parking area. Follow the Return Trail #442 eastward for about half a mile to get back to the Multnomah Falls parking lot. You can also do this trail backwards and begin at the Wahkeena Falls trailhead if that is your preference.

Either way, Wahkeena Falls along with many other falls along the Columbia River are not to be missed if you find yourself in Oregon!

Wahkeena Falls Tips

Tip 1: Parking at Wahkeena Falls and Multnomah Falls is free. Please note the Multnomah Falls parking lot is likely to be more crowded, particularly on weekends and holidays.

Tip 2: To complete the longer 4.8 mile Multnomah/Wahkeena Falls loop set aside a half day to allow adequate time for pictures and viewing breaks. Viewing breaks might not be an actual term but you will understand what I mean when you get here. These waterfalls are seriously worth a break to view.

Tip 3: Literature that covers this hike (if you are more of a book person):

• Day Hike! Columbia Gorge, by Seabury Blair, Jr.
• 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland, by Paul Gerald
• Afoot and Afield Portland/Vancouver, by Douglas Lorain
• 35 Hiking Trails, Columbia River Gorge, by Don & Roberta Lowe
• Columbia River Gorge, 42 Scenic Hikes, by Don & Roberta Lowe
• Hiking the Columbia River Gorge – 1st and 2nd Editions, by Russ Schneider
• 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon – 3rd Edition, by William L Sullivan

Tip 4: This is the first waterfall before Multnomah Falls so make sure to take the Bridal Veil exit on i-84.

Tip 5: There are less people at this trailhead than Multnomah Falls if you are looking for something that will be far less crowded.

Tip 6: Across the street there’s a wooden bench perfect for eating a picnic lunch or enjoying time with your hiking partner.

Difficulty: Moderate

Total Distance: 0.4, 1.4, or 4.8 miles round trip depending on preference.

Trailhead address: Wahkeena Trail #420, Corbett, OR 97019

Driving Directions: Take exit 28 off I-84 and turn left on the historic Columbia River Scenic Highway for 2.5 miles to the Wahkeena Falls parking lot. The trailhead is across the street on the right.

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The Multnomah Falls trailhead begins at Multnomah Falls Lodge, a historic building built to serve early automobile travelers in 1925. By 1981, the Multnomah Falls Lodge and Footpath were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Make your way past the Visitors Center and through the throngs of tourists eager to snap a picture in front of this gorgeous site to start your journey upwards. The first part of the trail is gently sloped as you make your way to the Benson Bridge, built in 1914 by Simon Benson, one of the builders of the old highway. Some argue the Benson Bridge is the most photographed piece of architecture in Oregon. This part of the trail is paved and easy to navigate.

Benson Bridge

Beyond the bridge, the asphalt trail continues up steep switchbacks for another mile to a ridge crest. Look for Columbia River views as you ascend upwards, you can capture some pretty spectacular photos here. From the top, the trail drops slightly to a junction with a trail labeled “Top of the Falls Trail #441A”. If you follow this trail to the right you will come to the Multnomah Falls Upper Viewpoint, a balcony of sorts at the lip of the falls that overlooks the lodge down below and those that didn’t make the trek past Benson Bridge. If you stop here and proceed back down you will complete a 2.6 miles round-trip hike, however you can also go to back to the junction and continue onwards to Larch Mountain.

View from the top of Multnomah Falls

To complete the 14.4-mile roundtrip hike to Larch Mountain, you will follow the trail to the left of the junction you originally came across and enter a magical forest of greenery. The next three miles of the trail parallel Multnomah Creek past a bevy of scenic views. The trail passes over Lower, Middle and Upper Dutchman Falls, followed by a unique journey through a creek washed overhang called Dutchman Tunnel. Beyond the tunnel you’ll reach Weisendanger Falls. The trail switches up above Weisendanger and keeps rising to clear Ecola Falls. The trail may be rocky in places yet it isn’t as steep as it was in the beginning. Another quarter mile and you will reach a trail junction with the Wahkeen Trail and another creek bridge constructed of steel.

Above the bridge, the trail follows Multnomah Creek a short distance up the hillside until it drops back to creek level and splits into two trails. The main trail goes close to the creek through a rocky area carved out of the cliff in the creek bed the other trail is a switchback up the ridge and over the large basalt formation right next to the creek. The two trails meet opposite the place where Big John Creek flows into Multnomah Creek from the West.

After crossing Multnomah Basin Road and meeting Franklin Ridge Trail #427, the trail will cross the East Fork of Multnomah Creek and then the West Fork.

The climb becomes more difficult at this point, with a 4,000 foot elevation gain. The trail will traverse a long ridge up the west side of the Larch Mountain Crater. You’ll pass a large open rockfield, constructed of ancient shield volcano, and cross a small closed road. Your marker for knowing you are close will be a set of abandoned picnic tables and fire pits filled with moss and ferns. Soon after, you’ll reach the Larch Mountain Trailhead.

Continue hiking 3/10 mile on paved Sherrard Point Trail #443 to get your greatest reward. The view from Sherrard Point is unmatched, with many people driving up Larch Mountain Road to catch a glimpse of this sight. However, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you reached this point the hard way.

Want to capture some stunning images of Multnomah Falls? Check out these tips and tricks to shooting enviable photos of this sight.

Columbia River viewpoint from switchbacks up the Multnomah Falls Trail

Multnomah Falls Tips

Tip 1: This place is always packed, particularly on the weekends and holidays. Try to plan for a weekday visit and avoid the crowds by continuing upwards past Benson Bridge.

Tip 2: Multnomah Falls, with its over 2.5 million visitors annually, even has a coffee stand if you need a caffeine boost before or after your hike.

Tip 3: Pets are allowed at Multnomah Falls, but must be controlled and on a leash at all times.

Tip 4: Multnomah Falls does not require a National Forest Pass.

Tip 5: Spray and mist cause a cooler micro-climate within the falls viewing area so bring a windproof/waterproof jacket.

Tip 6: Come at any time of the year. Unlike most waterfalls on the west, Multnomah Falls does not dry up – even in late summer. Rainwater, an unground spring and snow melt feed the falls through all seasons and ensure a spectacular sight any day of the year.

Trail Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Trail Total Distance: 2.6 miles or 14.4 miles

Trailhead Address: 50000 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Bridal Veil, OR 97010

Driving Directions: From Portland take I-84 eastbound for approximately 30 miles. Follow signs and take exit 31 (an unusual left-side exit ramp) off I-84 to a parking area. Follow the path under the highway to reach the falls viewing area.

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