Looking for the best waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls? I have you covered!

Like many enthusiastic nature nuts, you may have found yourself set on hiking Multnomah Falls only to find the trails overcrowded (or the new required permit hard to score). Fret not fellow hiker, there’s tons of great hiking trails near Multnomah Falls that guarantee to scratch your waterfall itch.

Below is my personal list of the best waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls. I’ve personally hiked every trail mentioned below and am happy to answer any questions you may have, so don’t be shy in the comments!

Waterfall Hikes Near Multnomah Falls

Easy Waterfall Trails Near Multnomah Falls

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is one of the best waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls to explore with kids because the viewpoint is located right off the parking lot.

The waterfall drops 120 feet between two distinct tiers and visitors can explore both via hike.

The lower trail descends to a creek before ascending to a beautiful viewpoint at the base of this iconic waterfall. You’ll pass by Bridal Veil Creek and notice what remains of the Bridal Veil Falls Lumbering Company. Read the interpretive signage to learn more about the mill if you’re interested.

The Overlook Trail is a paved half-mile trail that leads to a vista overlooking the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge. Since both trails are easy to do with kids I highly recommend making the effort them in tandem.

Best waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls | Shutterstock

Elowah Falls

The trail leading to Elowah Falls is considered one of the most scenic and easier hikes in the Columbia Gorge. Listed at 213 feet high, Elowah Falls is considered one of the tallest waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls, reason alone to visit.

Some say that Elowah Falls may be the better part of 300 feet when its multiple tiers are counted together. But the only thing I’m a specialist at is over-thinking, not waterfalls, so I’m just playing the role of messenger on this one.

Regardless of the stats, this is one of the best waterfall hikes in the Columbia Gorge. And sure, nice-looking falls are in no short supply in the area, but the special ones are still worth calling out.

The huge basaltic alcove Elowah Falls commands (which practically glowing green with lichen!), is an unforgettable sight. And if this 0.8-mile mosey to the waterfall only wets your whistle, you can tack on a longer hike to the twin-barrel drop of Upper McCord Creek Falls.

Build your own adventure? Yep. One of the many reasons this is one of the best waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls.

Latourell Falls

Mileage: 2.4 miles
Parking Pass Required?: No
Dogs Allowed? Yes, but must be on a leash

Latourell Falls is the closest waterfall to Portland, which makes it one of the most popular waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls.

Thank goodness, because this thing serves as the perfect introduction to the beloved careening waterfalls of the breathtaking Gorge.

This beautiful waterfall plunges an impressive 220 feet. And yes, it’s visible from a parking lot, but where’s the fun in that?

An easy 2.4-mile trail leads visitors directly to the first viewpoint before opening up to a dirt path that heads uphill, giving you a better vantage of Upper Latourell Falls as well.

Big rewards for little effort, is it any wonder this is considered one of the best easy hikes near Multnomah Falls?

You’ll also enjoy some full-on “forest bathing” on this easy Columbia Gorge hike. Enveloped among Douglas-firs, redcedars, fern-furred maples, and other key plays of the verdant Pacific northwest rain forest, it’s a breath of fresh air (literally).

*Image from Karina & Maks (the best Oregon wedding photographers)*

Punch Bowl Falls

Located about 2-miles into the epic Eagle Creek Trail near Multnomah Falls, Punch Bowl Falls is an aptly-named iconic Oregon waterfall well worth exploration.

The full Eagle Creek Trail is one of the most popular waterfall trails near Multnomah Falls for those that love a challenge (I was sore for days after). The route treks upstream into the mystical high woods.

But the easier (and equally rewarding) 4.2-mile round-trip hike to Punch Bowl Falls, is a much easier affair.

This easy Columbia Gorge hike lives up to to the hype, even with the charred tattoo of the teenager-caused Eagle Creek Fire of 2017. The trail follows towering basalt walls, mammoth conifers, vine-tangled maples and a plethora of cascading waterfalls.

Indeed, every inch of the trail treats hikers to the quintessential Pacific Northwest experience, which is why this is consider one of the best hikes near Multnomah Falls.

If curious, Punch Bowl Falls gets its name from the shape of the massive pool formation the falls plunge into. Locals swarm to this beloved watering hole in the hot summer months, but take warning – cliff diving is prohibited (and subject to a $300 fine).

Local’s Tip: Check trail conditions before hiking to Punch Bowl Falls. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire impacted this trail and it was closed for 3+ years before re-opening in 2021. Better safe than sorry, check this resource before heading out.

Moderate Hikes Near Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls

Note: Timed Entry Only
Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation: 1,700 feet
Parking Pass Required?: Yes, RESERVE in advance
Dogs Allowed? Yes, must be kept on leash.

C’mon now, you know the drill. Not list of the best hikes near Multnomah Falls is complete without mentioning mentioning the star of the show herself!

For whatever reason, Multnomah Falls is sometimes credited as the second-tallest waterfall in the country (which isn’t true, Hawaii takes the cake in that department).

But while Oregon’s most popular hiking trail in the Columbia Gorge doesn’t lead to the tallest waterfall in the nation, it does lead to the tallest in the state.

This monolithic two-tiered waterfall plunges a jaw-dropping 620 foot. The loftiest falls in Oregon, it’s unquestionably breathtaking, and arguably the Columbia Gorge’s single most famous landmark.

Expect the paved path from the Multnomah Falls Lodge up to the Benson Bridge cutting between the upper and lower drops to be thronged. Everyone loves this Columbia Gorge hiking trail.

But taking this semi-rigorous five-mile loop, which includes stretches of trails on Larch Mountain, Wahkeena Falls, and Return trails, allows you to ditch at least some of the crowds.

Besides that showstopping plummet of Multnomah Creek (down an amazing stack of basalt layers), you’ll also get to to experience lesser-visited (but still lovely) waterfalls.

From the 55-foot curtain of Ecola Falls to the meandering 242-foot drop of Wahkeena Falls, this long Columbia River Gorge hike makes for a memorable day.

Multnomah Falls Oregon
Most beautiful waterfalls in Oregon
Best hikes Columbia Gorge

Oneonta Gorge

Mileage: 1 mile
Parking Pass Required?: No
Dogs Allowed? Yes, must be leashed (and make sure they can swim!)

The defining vibe of the Columbia Gorge is sprawling grandeur, with the huge river muscling between soaring (and often mist-scrawled) cliffs. Hitting depths of 200 feet deep in some places, some as narrow as 20 feet across.

Nowhere is there a better example of the diverse range of hikes near Multnomah Falls than the Oneonta Gorge hiking trail.

Representing a very different character: tucked-away, shadowy, and intimate — there’s a mystical vibe to this trail few can resist.

No formal trail traces this mossy slot canyon upstream; from the roadside pullout by the Oneonta Tunnel, you proceed by scrambling over rocks and logs and wading the creek itself.

(Summer, with its lower—and warmer—water, is best for this hike.) This is also one of many utterly remarkable waterfall hikes in the Gorge: The tight-walled, magical defile leads to the beautiful, hundred-foot streamer of Oneonta Falls—a heck of a turnaround point.

Indeed, it’s these mystical fairy-tale like features that make Oneonta Gorge one of the best waterfall hikes near Multnomah Falls.

**Important: As of this writing (April 2023), Oneonta Gorge remains closed because of the impacts of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. It’s a spectacular-enough (and popular-enough) Columbia Gorge hike though, so it warrants inclusion here, to be enjoyed whenever it reopens.

Best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge — Oneonta Gorge | Shutterstock

Wahclella Falls Trail

Wahclella Falls Trail is an easy 1.9 mile out-and-back waterfall hike near Multnomah Falls that shouldn’t be overlooked. The hike takes about 45-minutes to complete, offer great reward for little effort.

After hiking this trail a handful of times (during different seasons) I’d argue that pictures don’t do this trial justice! The panoramic river views throughout the duration of the hike are beautiful and the waterfall itself is a sight for sore eyes.

This trail is also popular with birders and runners, so be mindful of others on the trail.

Wahkeena Falls

Located next to the most popular waterfall hike near Portland, Multnomah Falls, Wahkeena Falls is an often overlooked gem by most unassuming visitors. That’s not to say the hike is unpopular though!

This waterfall hike near Multnomah Falls is popular amongst those in the know, so crowds are all but guaranteed during the warm summer months.

There’s two ways to experience Wahkeena Falls, either from a viewing platform near off the highway or by hiking up to see the roaring beauty of the entire three-tiered waterfall.

I would argue that this beautiful waterfall near Portland warrants the hiking effort, so strap on your boots and hit the trail. You’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the falls from various points throughout the trail.

If you continue down the trail for three miles you’ll find yourself in front of another beauty — Fairy Falls.

Challenging Hikes Near Multnomah Falls

Angel’s Rest

Mileage: 4.8 miles
Elevation: 1,500 feet
Parking Pass Required?: No
Dogs Allowed? Yes, must be on a leash

Alright, you caught me! Angel’s Rest isn’t technically a waterfall hiking trail near Multnomah Falls, but I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t mention it.

A great gateway eminence on the western side of the Columbia Gorge, Angel’s Rest offers a stunning bare-rock promontory some 1,500 feet above river level.

You’ll have to huff and puff your way up some switch-backs from the Historic Columbia River Highway trailhead to be rewarded with the panoramic views this popular hiking trail near Multnomah Falls offers.

But even before the rewards of the summit, you’ll get a fill of stirring vistas from the various wildfire-snagged slopes and rock expanses en route.

The vantage from the cliff-girt volcanic spine of Angel’s Rest include signature landmarks like Hamilton and Table mountains to the northeast, Cape Horn and Beacon Rock along the river, and Silver Star Mountain dominating the northern skyline.

Angels Rest Columbia Gorge Oregon — Angels Rest, one of the prettiest hikes near Multnomah Falls | Shutterstock

Coyote Wall Loop

Mileage: 3.8 miles
Elevation: 1,775 feet
Parking Pass Required?: No
Dogs Allowed? Yes, must be on a leash

As spectacular as the towering, rain-slammed, lushly clad forests of the Columbia Gorge’s west side are, the drier eastern reach provides its own remarkable, sun-blasted scenery.

The Little Moab and Little Maui trails in the Columbia Gorge on the Washington side, also popular among mountain bikers, provide an up-close look at a remarkable the east-side most notable landmark.

The towering Coyote Wall, a dipping basalt cliff locally known as “the Syncline.” This epic fold, which marks the headwall of an ancient landslide, is yet another awe-inspiring geologic wonder in the Gorge.

So if you’re looking to shake things up after visiting the most forested hiking trails in the Columbia Gorge, I suggest trying your hand (hiking boots?) at the Coyote Wall trail.