Multnomah Falls - Wahkeena Falls Loop Hike
I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that the Multnomah Falls - Wahkeena Falls Loop is the most iconic and memorable hike in the Columbia Gorge. Not so much a hike as THE hike. From start to finish it is packed with highlights that make you feel like you’ve been transported to a fairytale forest where sprites and gnomes would not look out of place. There are six official waterfalls, including the towering 620-foot Multnomah Falls and the graceful 240-foot Wahkeena Falls. You’ll walk alongside cascading streams, weeping cliffs of basalt, moss-covered pine trees, and gigantic sword ferns on this incredible loop trail only 40 minutes away from downtown Portland, Oregon. Here is everything you need to know about hiking the Multnomah Falls - Wahkeena Falls Loop.
Wahkeena Creek
Know before you go
You can start this hike either at Multnomah Falls or Wahkeena Falls.
Parking at the larger parking lot for Multnomah Falls off I-84 requires a $2 Multnomah Falls Timed Entry Permit from May 26, 2023 - September 4th, 2023, 9 AM - 6 PM. Learn more about the timed entry permit here.
Parking at Wahkeena Falls or the smaller parking lot across from Multnomah Falls does not require a permit, although it may be difficult to find parking at these lots during popular times.
If you visit during the off-season, you do not need a permit and parking is free at either Multnomah Falls or Wahkeena Falls.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail.
There are nice indoor restrooms and a water bottle filling station in the Multnomah Falls Lodge. Wahkeena Falls has a restroom that is open seasonally near the picnic area (from the parking lot, head down the hill away from the falls to find it). In winter, the restrooms at Multnomah Falls are the only option.
This trail can get muddy, especially in winter. You may also see a few small streams crossing the trail. Wear hiking boots if possible.
Do not leave valuables in the car. Sadly, this area is a target for car break-ins.
The trail is easy to follow and its junctions are marked with maps and signs.
There is a lot of uphill walking and some steep drop-offs, making it not the most family-friendly trail. It would be better for older children.
Allow for 3-5 hours to complete the hike.
Trail conditions can be difficult in winter
When to go
This hike is one of the most popular in the Columbia Gorge and it gets very crowded, especially around Multnomah Falls.
Summer is the busiest season at Multnomah Falls and the Waterfall Corridor by far. It is easy to see the appeal. Summer is a beautiful time to visit. The weather is usually good, the greenery will be at its finest, and you can spot wildflowers along the trail. If you go in summer, go early, especially on the weekend. If you arrive before 9 AM, you don’t need a timed entry permit to park at Multnomah Falls.
Spring and fall can be good times to visit to avoid the crowds of summer and the constant drizzle of winter. The waterfalls will be more impressive in early spring and late fall. Begin looking for wildflowers along the trail in late spring. Expect to see fall colors around October.
Winter can be a beautiful and relatively quiet time to visit, although it may come with challenging trail conditions. I went in January and walked on lots of snow and ice at the higher elevations. Since there are some steep drop-offs along the trail, icy conditions can make it harrowing at times. Winter also gets a lot of rainy days. I got rained on for about an hour of the hike, which besides making me cold and wet, also made the ice more slippery. While hiking in the rain is not the most pleasant, the waterfalls, streams, and cascades will look wonderful in winter.
Multnomah Falls after an ice storm in winter
The Multnomah Falls - Wahkeena Falls Loop Trail
Distance: 5 miles out-and-back
Elevation gain: 1600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate, although it might be difficult in winter if snow and ice are on the trail.
Pass required: A Multnomah Falls timed entry permit is required seasonally to park at the lot off I-84 for Multnomah Falls (Exit 31). No pass or permit is needed to park at the lots for Multnomah Falls or Wahkeena Falls off the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are allowed on the trail.
ADA access: No, other than the viewpoints at Multnomah Falls and Wahkeena Falls.
Bonus waterfall at the top of Multnomah Falls
Basic directions:
Take the paved trail starting from the base of Multnomah Falls for about 1 mile.
Follow the short (0.1-mile) spur out to the top of Multnomah Falls and then return to the main trail.
When you return to the trail junction, take a right onto the Larch Mountain Trail (#441) and follow it for about 0.8 miles.
At the next trail junction, take a right toward the Wahkeena Trail (#420).
After about a mile, you’ll pass another trail junction. Continue straight to stay on the Wahkeena Trail.
After another 0.3 miles, you’ll reach the trail junction near Wahkeena Springs. Take a right to stay on the Wahkeena Trail.
Continue on Wahkeena Trail until you reach the viewpoint at the base of Wahkeena Falls (about 1.5 miles). On the way, stop at Lemmons Viewpoint.
From the base of Wahkeena Falls, take the Return Trail (#442) about 0.5 miles to return to Multnomah Falls.
Although there are many trail junctions on this hike, all are marked with signs and some with trail maps. I’m the sort of person who could get lost leaving a room, but I was able to stay on the route without incident. As always, it’s a good idea to have an offline map just in case.
Top of Multnomah Falls
On the trail:
You can start this hike from either Multnomah Falls or Wahkeena Falls and go either clockwise or counterclockwise. I’ll start the directions from Multnomah Falls and go clockwise, but there isn’t a wrong way to do it.
From the parking lot, cross the Historic Columbia River Highway and take the path past the Multnomah Falls Lodge to reach the base of Multnomah Falls. Take a moment to get photos. This viewpoint is the best place to see the full height and grandeur of Multnomah Falls. When you’re ready to move on, follow the paved trail up the hill to Benson Bridge that passes in front of the falls. Cross the bridge to reach the viewpoint that looks onto the upper tier of the Multnomah Falls. Look for the pillow basalt at the top of the cliff, which suggests that the rock there formed when lava cooled quickly in the presence of water.
Multnomah Falls from Benson Bridge
Continue past the viewpoint up the infamous 11 switchbacks that lead to the top of the falls. They are not dangerous, just tiring. You’ll see numbered signs along the trail letting you know how many switchbacks remain, an observation that gets less discouraging as you climb. At switchback 10, you’ll reach a trail junction marked with a sign. Take the unpaved trail to the right to reach the top of Multnomah Falls.
I found the top of the falls less impressive than I was expecting since you can only see the lip of the falls before the plunge. You do, however, get a sense of the height of the falls (and how far you’ve walked) by seeing the tiny car specks in the parking lot below. Although definitely worth a look, the views from the lower viewpoints are more striking and photogenic.
Upper Dutchman Falls
Return on the short spur from the top of Multnomah Falls to the trail junction and take a right onto the Larch Mountain Trail (#441). Once you begin the Larch Mountain Trail, the crowds should begin to thin and you may even get some moments of solitude. This section of trail is one of the most enchanting portions of the hike. You’ll cross a stone footbridge over cascading Multnomah Creek and then follow the creek past a series of three waterfalls. Look for the three short tiers of Dutchman Falls, the elegant Weisendanger Falls in its basalt amphitheater, and Ecola Falls seen from the top as the trail makes a tight corner around a basalt cliff.
Wiesendanger Falls
A glimpse of Ecola Falls on the Larch Mountain Trail
Shortly after Ecola Falls, you’ll reach a trail junction. Take a right onto the Wahkeena Trail (#420). Also, take heart in knowing that most of the uphill walking is behind you. The trail winds through a partially burnt forest that shows the aftermath of the 2017 Eagle Creek fire. You’ll see glimpses of the hills and bluffs of Washington’s Columbia Gorge through the branches of charred trees.
Scorch marks along the Wahkeena Trail
Continue straight past the junction with the Devil’s Rest Trail to stay on Wahkeena Trail. After 0.3 miles, you’ll reach another trail junction. Take a right to stay on Wahkeena Trail. Follow the Wahkeena Trail alongside the cascades of Wahkeena Creek. Head downhill and you’ll reach ethereal Fairy Falls. Although only 20 feet high, Fairy Falls is often a favorite because of its delicate and understated beauty.
Fairy Falls
Continue down a few switchbacks and stop for a moment at Lemmons Viewpoint, an overlook honoring Keith Lemmons, a firefighter who died battling a wildfire. Lemmons Viewpoint overlooks the Columbia River and Washington State, with views extending to Beacon Rock. It is a good place to catch your breath, stop for pictures, and have a snack.
Lemmons Viewpoint
The rest of the trail will be a descent down a paved trail with graded switchbacks. You’ll cross a stone bridge in front of the upper tier of Wahkeena Falls and continue downhill until you reach the viewpoint at the base of the falls. Although quite tall, it is difficult to see the full height of Wahkeena Falls at once since portions are hidden by the undergrowth. In winter, the absence of greenery makes it easier to see the many tiers of the falls. After admiring Wahkeena Falls, take the mostly flat 0.5-mile Return Trail (#442) back to Multnomah Falls.
Upper Wahkeena Falls
Wahkeena Falls Viewpoint
Getting there
To reach the Multnomah Falls or Wahkeena Falls parking lots off the Historic Columbia River Highway:
From Portland, take I-84 East until Exit 28 toward Bridal Veil. Turn left onto the Historic Columbia River Highway. Continue for about 2.5 miles to reach the Wahkeena Falls parking lot or 3 miles to reach the Multnomah Falls parking lot. Both parking lots will be on your left. The drive from Portland takes about 40 minutes.
From Hood River, take I-84 West until Exit 35 onto the Historic Columbia River Highway. Follow the Historic Columbia River Highway for about 4 miles to reach the Multnomah Falls parking lot or 4.5 miles to reach the Wahkeena Falls parking lot. The parking lots will be on your right. The drive from Hood River takes about 35 minutes.
To reach the larger Multnomah Falls parking lot off I-84 (Multnomah Falls Permit):
From Portland, take I-84 East until Exit 31. This exit will take you directly to the parking lot. Present your timed entry permit if needed. The drive from Portland will take about 40 minutes.
From Hood River, take I-84 until Exit 31. This exit will take you to the parking lot. Present your timed entry permit if needed. The drive from Hood River will take about 35 minutes.
Streams run alongside the Wahkeena Trail
Enjoy your day hiking the Multnomah Falls - Wahkeena Falls Loop!
With love,
Emma
The hike to Triple Falls is just down the road from Multnomah Falls
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