Wahkeena and Multnomah Falls HIKE

📍Cascade Locks, OR (5.2 miles / 1,620 ft)

🐾 We saw a few furry friends along the way.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Waterfalls. Need we say more?

Why We Picked THIS MULTNOMAH FALLS HIKE

If you’re in Hood River—or anywhere along the Columbia River Gorge—you don’t really get a choice when it comes to waterfalls. They’re everywhere. Since waterfall hikes are some of my favorites, Ryan knew we had no option but to chase a few on a fair-weather weekend.

Multnomah Falls had been on my list for years. As the most iconic waterfall in the Gorge, it usually requires a timed-use permit during peak season (late May through early September). Luckily for us, it was the offseason, so we decided to finally make it happen.

Parking and Trailhead Logistics

Parking can be tricky depending on which direction you’re coming from. AllTrails recommends the Wahkeena Falls lot, but that would’ve added an extra 20 minutes to our drive from the east. Instead, we parked at the Multnomah Falls Main Lot, located in the median of I-84. During the offseason, parking here is free and far more convenient. And we did the hike clockwise starting from Multnomah Falls.

Multnomah Falls: Worth the Hype

Had we only walked to Multnomah Falls, it would’ve been less than a half-mile stroll from the parking lot. The waterfall sits right off the highway—but nothing prepares you for its scale.

Walking up, I was genuinely stunned by its sheer size. I’m still not used to seeing waterfalls in the U.S. that can rival those in Iceland. Multnomah Falls looks exactly like the photos: water cascading dramatically over the cliff, mist filling the air, and visitors walking the small bridge below. It’s undeniably impressive and absolutely worth a stop—especially if you’re short on time.

The Loop: Six Waterfalls in Five Miles

From the base, we tackled a series of 11 switchbacks up Larch Mountain Trail #441 to reach the upper falls viewpoint. While the upper viewing area itself didn’t stand out as much to me, I was more eager to keep moving and see what else the loop had to offer.

Before starting this Multnomah Falls hike, we checked the U.S. Forest Service trail updates. After significant December storm damage, the trails had reopened, though the USFS noted downed trees and a small landslide along the route.

From Multnomah Falls, we continued along the 5+ mile loop, passing Dutchman Falls, Wiesendanger Falls, and Ecola Falls before connecting with Wahkeena Trail #420. While none quite matched the drama of Multnomah, they were still beautiful—especially with higher-than-usual water flow.

Gorge Views & Forest Trails

Wahkeena Trail #420 follows a ridgeline through dense forest, with occasional openings offering views across the river into Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The Pacific Northwest never fails to impress me—lush, moody, and endlessly scenic.

The final 1.5 miles descend past Fairy Falls and end at Wahkeena Falls. The landslide noted by the USFS sat just before Fairy Falls, requiring careful footing, but it wasn’t dangerous—just slow going.

Final Thoughts ON THIS MULTNOMAH FALLS HIKE

Six waterfalls in roughly five miles felt like a huge payoff. The Multnomah Falls hike itself isn’t particularly difficult; the hardest part for me was the initial climb to the upper falls. My calves had zero warm-up time and let me know it immediately.

Whether you have 20 minutes or a few hours, this hike—or at least a stop at Multnomah Falls—is well worth it. Bonus points if you go in the offseason: fewer crowds, no permits, and the Gorge at its best.

🧭 AllTrails – Wahkeena and Multnomah Falls Loop

Check out more trails in our Happy Trails section.