Hike to Latourell Falls
One of the closest waterfall hikes to Portland is also one of the most spectacular. It begins with Latourell Falls plunging over 200 feet straight as an arrow over a cliff of lichen-covered basalt. From here, a loop hike leads through a lush Doug fir and maple forest to secluded Upper Latourell Falls. The trail is rugged enough to get your heart pumping but short enough to tackle on a weekday after work. Here is everything you need to know about the Latourell Falls loop hike.
The parking lot viewpoint
Know before you go
It’s free to visit Latourell Falls. You don’t need a pass or permit to park.
The parking lot fills up during popular times. Arrive early (before 9 AM) or late (after 4 PM) on summer weekends.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail.
There are restrooms next to the parking lot. Proceed with caution. The one on the right has a broken lock and a door that jams.
The parking lot has a couple of picnic tables. A larger picnic area with a covered shelter is on the trail about a half mile from the parking lot.
Latourell Falls is usually a year-round hike. The waterfalls are most impressive in winter and spring. Watch for icy conditions in the winter.
This hike is doable in sneakers but better with hiking boots. It gets muddy, and the terrain is irregular.
The quick stop
Head up the stairs from the parking lot to see Latourell Falls
This hike has two waterfalls: Latourell Falls and Upper Latourell Falls. The first is visible from the parking lot. The second you can only see by hiking. Someone asked me when I last visited whether Upper Latourell Falls was better than Latourell Falls. It’s not, just different. If you have the time and energy, the hike is awesome. If you have a tight schedule, you might want to skip it to save time for other sights in the Columbia Gorge.
You can see a glimpse of Latourell Falls from the parking lot. A short walk leads to better views. First, take the staircase from the parking lot. At the top, you’ll see the full height of Latourell Falls without tree cover blocking the views. Then, return to the parking lot and take the trail on its west side. At the bottom of the hill is the base of Latourell Falls, the best viewpoint of them all. In total, it’s about a quarter mile of walking.
Take the staircase from the parking lot to see Latourell Falls
The Latourell Falls Trail
Distance: 2.4-mile loop
Elevation gain: 600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass required: None
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trail.
ADA access: Not past the parking lot viewpoint. Accessible parking and restroom.
Season: All year, barring winter storms.
Trillium blooms along the trail in spring
The details
Take a moment to enjoy Latourell Falls from the parking lot viewpoint, then start the trail. There are two potential starting points. The staircase begins the loop hike clockwise. The trail to the right of the viewpoint begins counterclockwise. I usually go counterclockwise, but there’s no wrong way to do it.
Start of the trail
Starting counterclockwise, you’ll pass a bench and head downhill on an unpaved trail. After a few hundred feet, you’ll get past the tree cover and see the full majesty of Latourell Falls.
Latourell Falls
The base of Latourell Falls is where the scale and grandeur of the waterfall become clear. A fine spray of mist reaches the trail as you approach. The single gushing stream of water plunges 224 feet over a cliff decorated with bright, almost neon, yellow-green lichen. The recessed lower half of the cliff is made of neat hexagons of basalt. These columns formed as lava cooled millions of years ago. Latourell Falls is impressive throughout the year but is best in spring when more water flows.
Latourell Falls in spring
Most visitors turn around at the base of the falls. After negotiating past the crowds of photo-taking tourists swapping the arrangement of the family members once, twice, and fifty times, the trail becomes quiet. Cross the bridge to continue the hike.
A footbridge passes in front of Latourell Falls
From here, the trail follows Latourell Creek for most of the hike. You’ll see its cascades through the trees.
Latourell Creek
Woodland wildflowers bloom along the trail in spring and summer. Look for trillium and bleeding hearts early in the season, followed by wood sorrel. In the fall, yellows appear in the undergrowth and on the big-leaf maples of the canopy.
Pacific bleeding hearts near Latourell Creek
You’ll approach a bridge spanning Latourell Creek and then cross underneath it. This bridge was constructed as part of the Columbia River Highway in 1914. Beyond it is a picnic area with a shelter.
Picnic area
Past the picnic area is a small set of stairs. The trail splits at the top. Go either direction. The two trails meet up again just ahead.
Idyllic stairs on the trail
Cross the road and continue the trail on the other side. The serious uphill walking starts here.
The trail crosses the Columbia River Highway
I think of the Latourell Falls loop as being pretty quick and easy, forgetting each time that most of the hike’s elevation gain happens over about a half mile. Once you reach the oddly shaped maple hanging over the trail, the climb is almost over. This tree reminds me of a diver about to spring.
Memorable big-leaf maple
As the trail begins to level off, you’ll reach a viewpoint overlooking the Columbia Gorge. It’s a bit overgrown, but you can see the Columbia River and the hills of Washington through the trees.
Latourell Falls Trail viewpoint
Just past the viewpoint is a steep and muddy spur trail that ends at the top of Latourell Falls. Skip it. The views aren’t better than those from the viewpoint you just passed. Because of the angle, you can’t see the waterfall. It’s also slippery and ends at an unfenced drop-off.
Skip this spur
The trail follows Latourell Creek for the rest of the way to Upper Latourell Falls. You’ll pass a fallen tree that people sometimes use as a log bridge to cross to the other side of the loop and shorten the hike. Once you reach it, you’re already most of the way to Upper Latourell Falls, so I’d suggest continuing.
Optional shortcut
At the end of the loop is Upper Latourell Falls. The first glimpse is a partial view of it tumbling behind a thin screen of greenery.
Upper Latourell Falls
Upper Latourell Falls has two tiers that fall at different angles over its 120-foot drop. From most vantage points, a cliff hides the upper tier from view. The lower tier falls in front of recessed basalt with columns similar to those of Latourell Falls. The second tier becomes visible after you cross the bridge.
Upper Latourell Falls
If you’re feeling sure-footed, a slippery path leads into the cavern where you can kinda sorta get behind the waterfall. Avoid it when it’s icy or if you have more common sense than me.
Almost behind Upper Latourell Falls
Once you cross the footbridge, you’ll be able to look back and see both tiers of Upper Latourell Falls. The upper tier is a steep cascade. The lower tier drops freely from a ledge in the mossy cliff.
Upper Latourell Falls
The rest of the loop is the easy part, a fairly steady downhill alongside Latourell Creek. You’ll cross a few small wooden footbridges, which are recent improvements to the trail following storm damage.
Cross here
On this side of the loop, it’s easier to see the contours of Latourell Creek’s small canyon. The creek forms cascades along its course that at times look like miniature waterfalls.
Latourell Creek
Toward the end of the hike, Latourell Falls comes back into view. The first break in the trees is the least impressive, a hint of things to come. Soon after this first glimpse, you’ll reach a better view that shows the full height of the waterfall.
Latourell Falls
At the end of the hike is a final viewpoint overlooking Latourell Falls. Then, a staircase leads back to the parking lot.
The last viewpoint
Enjoy your hike to Latourell Falls!
With love,
Emma
Getting there
To reach Latourell Falls from Portland, take I-84 E until Exit 28 (Bridal Veil). At the end of the exit ramp, continue onto Bridal Veil Rd, then take a right onto the Historic Columbia River Highway. The parking lot will be on your left in 3 miles. The drive from Portland takes about 30 minutes.
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