Located at the northern tip of Oregon not far from Portland, the Columbia River Gorge is out-of-this-world beautiful. Full of magnificent waterfalls, lush forests, and jaw-dropping vistas, this natural wonderland is an extraordinary place for hiking. Trails of every kind are woven through the dramatic landscape, offering visitors the chance to experience the incredible beauty of Oregon up close. Next time you’re in the area, take one of these 11 gorgeous trails for an unforgettable adventure. They’re truly some of the best hikes in Oregon!
- Elowah Falls Trail
flickr/ Mohib Ahmad This easy, beautiful hike will lead you along a scenic forest path to the enchanting 289-foot Elowah Falls. It’s a total hidden gem waterfall in Oregon! Elowah Falls, Oregon 97014, USA
- Eagle Creek Trail to Tunnel Falls
flickr/ Souvik Das There are many amazing hiking opportunities on the Eagle Creek Trail, spanning from a 1-mile out-and-back stroll to an epic overnight backpacking trip. One of the most incredible day hikes along the trail takes you to past multiple amazing waterfalls, streams, and forests to the jaw-dropping Tunnel Falls - named for the tunnel that was blasted through the rock, allowing hikers to pass directly behind the roaring falls. Eagle Creek Trail #440, Oregon 97014, USA
- McCall Point Trail
flickr/ stokes rx This lovely hike at Rowena Crest is absolutely spectacular during the spring and summer months when wildflowers cover the fields with vibrant color. There are thousands and thousands of them! McCall Point, Oregon 97040, USA
- Angel’s Rest
flickr/ Artem Popov This epic hike is a must-do for any adventurous Oregonian. This scenic, uphill trail leads to an exposed rock ledge overlooking the amazing landscape. Angels Rest, Oregon 97019, USA
- Latourell Falls Trail
flickr/ Sheila Sund This short trail is easily accessible and leads right up to the base of the magnificent Latourell Falls. Latourell Falls, Oregon, USA
- Upper McCord Creek Falls Trail
flickr/ Sathish J Beginning at the John B Yeon Trailhead, this lovely waterfall hike takes you high above Elowah Falls to the beautiful Upper McCord Creek Falls. Upper McCord Creek Falls, Upper Elowah Falls Trail, Cascade Locks, OR 97014, USA
- Oneonta Gorge
flickr/ Paul Weeks The hike through Oneonta Gorge is short but truly unforgettable. It’s inaccessible much of the year due to high water levels, but in the summer you can walk through this narrow, moss-covered canyon to reach a hidden 100-foot waterfall at the end. The way there is gorgeous, but also a bit treacherous; you’ll have to scramble over huge piles of fallen trees and even wade through chin-deep ice cold water to get to the end. It’s a scene that’s straight out of Middle Earth! Oneonta Gorge, Oregon 97014, USA
- Multnomah Falls
flickr/ melfoody The stunning Multnomah Falls is the crown jewel of the Columbia River Gorge. Take a short, rather steep hike to the top of the waterfall, passing over the iconic Benson Bridge on the way. Our advice? Book a lunch date for yourself at Multnomah Falls Lodge, and enjoy the views while you dine! Multnomah Falls, Oregon 97014, USA
- Wahkeena Falls Trail
flickr/ Robert Shea This moderate 1.4-mile hike features amazing views, beautiful streams, and of course, the breathtaking Wahkeena Falls. Wahkeena Falls, Oregon 97019, USA
- Horsetail Falls Loop Trail
flickr/ Brent Miller This Horsetail Falls Loop Trail passes three breathtaking waterfalls. One thing that makes the Horsetail Falls Hike especially unique is that you’ll get to walk directly behind the beautiful Ponytail Falls, pictured above. Standing directly behind the majestic 75-foot waterfall as it pours gracefully into the creek is positively enchanting. Horsetail Falls, Oregon, USA
- Wahclella Falls Trail
flickr/ Michael Matti Wahclella Falls is an easy, spectacular hike that will take you along a beautiful river past lovely little cascades and moss-covered boulders, over wooden bridges and through a lush forest before arriving at the magnificent Wahclella Falls. Wahclella Falls Trail, Oregon 97014, USA
Oregon truly is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, and we love nothing more than exploring new trails!
flickr/ Mohib Ahmad
This easy, beautiful hike will lead you along a scenic forest path to the enchanting 289-foot Elowah Falls. It’s a total hidden gem waterfall in Oregon!
Elowah Falls, Oregon 97014, USA
flickr/ Souvik Das
There are many amazing hiking opportunities on the Eagle Creek Trail, spanning from a 1-mile out-and-back stroll to an epic overnight backpacking trip. One of the most incredible day hikes along the trail takes you to past multiple amazing waterfalls, streams, and forests to the jaw-dropping Tunnel Falls - named for the tunnel that was blasted through the rock, allowing hikers to pass directly behind the roaring falls.
Eagle Creek Trail #440, Oregon 97014, USA
flickr/ stokes rx
This lovely hike at Rowena Crest is absolutely spectacular during the spring and summer months when wildflowers cover the fields with vibrant color. There are thousands and thousands of them!
McCall Point, Oregon 97040, USA
flickr/ Artem Popov
This epic hike is a must-do for any adventurous Oregonian. This scenic, uphill trail leads to an exposed rock ledge overlooking the amazing landscape.
Angels Rest, Oregon 97019, USA
flickr/ Sheila Sund
This short trail is easily accessible and leads right up to the base of the magnificent Latourell Falls.
Latourell Falls, Oregon, USA
flickr/ Sathish J
Beginning at the John B Yeon Trailhead, this lovely waterfall hike takes you high above Elowah Falls to the beautiful Upper McCord Creek Falls.
Upper McCord Creek Falls, Upper Elowah Falls Trail, Cascade Locks, OR 97014, USA
flickr/ Paul Weeks
The hike through Oneonta Gorge is short but truly unforgettable. It’s inaccessible much of the year due to high water levels, but in the summer you can walk through this narrow, moss-covered canyon to reach a hidden 100-foot waterfall at the end. The way there is gorgeous, but also a bit treacherous; you’ll have to scramble over huge piles of fallen trees and even wade through chin-deep ice cold water to get to the end. It’s a scene that’s straight out of Middle Earth!
Oneonta Gorge, Oregon 97014, USA
flickr/ melfoody
The stunning Multnomah Falls is the crown jewel of the Columbia River Gorge. Take a short, rather steep hike to the top of the waterfall, passing over the iconic Benson Bridge on the way. Our advice? Book a lunch date for yourself at Multnomah Falls Lodge, and enjoy the views while you dine!
Multnomah Falls, Oregon 97014, USA
flickr/ Robert Shea
This moderate 1.4-mile hike features amazing views, beautiful streams, and of course, the breathtaking Wahkeena Falls.
Wahkeena Falls, Oregon 97019, USA
flickr/ Brent Miller
This Horsetail Falls Loop Trail passes three breathtaking waterfalls. One thing that makes the Horsetail Falls Hike especially unique is that you’ll get to walk directly behind the beautiful Ponytail Falls, pictured above. Standing directly behind the majestic 75-foot waterfall as it pours gracefully into the creek is positively enchanting.
Horsetail Falls, Oregon, USA
flickr/ Michael Matti
Wahclella Falls is an easy, spectacular hike that will take you along a beautiful river past lovely little cascades and moss-covered boulders, over wooden bridges and through a lush forest before arriving at the magnificent Wahclella Falls.
Wahclella Falls Trail, Oregon 97014, USA
Find out about more of the best and most beautiful hikes in Oregon in this article, which outlines 12 trails to tackle over the span of a year!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Oregon April 04, 2022 Sarah M. What are the best easy hikes in Oregon? You don’t have to be a master outdoorsman (or woman) to enjoy the best hikes in Oregon – some of our favorite trails are short and sweet! This list has 10 amazing hikes in Oregon that are each under under a mile, making them ideal for families, kids, or simply those who don’t want to spend all day hoofing it. Some of our favorite hikes on this list include the Hobbit Trail, a beautiful little trek that winds through old-growth forest and ends up on the beach; the Natural Arch Hike, a one-mile trail that winds past incredible scenery and natural beauty, ending at a beautiful natural rock arch; and the South Falls Loop at Silver Lake State Park, a beautiful little trek to one of the state’s most glorious waterfalls! What are some dog-friendly hikes in Oregon? One of our favorite places to hike with our pups is Eagle Cap Wilderness. One of the most beautiful places in Oregon, there are numerous trails within the wondrous wilds of the Wallowas, with some designated off-leash areas within the larger Eagle Cap Wilderness. (Nationally designated parks generally have their own off-leash rules, while Oregon State Parks require pets to be leashed unless specifically designated.) Another great place to take your pup is the Deschutes National Forest, where 95% of the land is open to dogs off-leash. Hiking opportunities vary depending on the time of year you visit (for example, in the winter, dogs are allowed off-leash on 99% of national forest lands managed by the Deschutes National Forest), and there are a variety of trails within this expanse. And, of course, there are some beautiful coastal hikes in Oregon where you and your dog can have a bona fide beach day!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Oregon
April 04, 2022
Sarah M.
What are the best easy hikes in Oregon? You don’t have to be a master outdoorsman (or woman) to enjoy the best hikes in Oregon – some of our favorite trails are short and sweet! This list has 10 amazing hikes in Oregon that are each under under a mile, making them ideal for families, kids, or simply those who don’t want to spend all day hoofing it. Some of our favorite hikes on this list include the Hobbit Trail, a beautiful little trek that winds through old-growth forest and ends up on the beach; the Natural Arch Hike, a one-mile trail that winds past incredible scenery and natural beauty, ending at a beautiful natural rock arch; and the South Falls Loop at Silver Lake State Park, a beautiful little trek to one of the state’s most glorious waterfalls! What are some dog-friendly hikes in Oregon? One of our favorite places to hike with our pups is Eagle Cap Wilderness. One of the most beautiful places in Oregon, there are numerous trails within the wondrous wilds of the Wallowas, with some designated off-leash areas within the larger Eagle Cap Wilderness. (Nationally designated parks generally have their own off-leash rules, while Oregon State Parks require pets to be leashed unless specifically designated.) Another great place to take your pup is the Deschutes National Forest, where 95% of the land is open to dogs off-leash. Hiking opportunities vary depending on the time of year you visit (for example, in the winter, dogs are allowed off-leash on 99% of national forest lands managed by the Deschutes National Forest), and there are a variety of trails within this expanse. And, of course, there are some beautiful coastal hikes in Oregon where you and your dog can have a bona fide beach day!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
You don’t have to be a master outdoorsman (or woman) to enjoy the best hikes in Oregon – some of our favorite trails are short and sweet! This list has 10 amazing hikes in Oregon that are each under under a mile, making them ideal for families, kids, or simply those who don’t want to spend all day hoofing it. Some of our favorite hikes on this list include the Hobbit Trail, a beautiful little trek that winds through old-growth forest and ends up on the beach; the Natural Arch Hike, a one-mile trail that winds past incredible scenery and natural beauty, ending at a beautiful natural rock arch; and the South Falls Loop at Silver Lake State Park, a beautiful little trek to one of the state’s most glorious waterfalls!
What are some dog-friendly hikes in Oregon?
One of our favorite places to hike with our pups is Eagle Cap Wilderness. One of the most beautiful places in Oregon, there are numerous trails within the wondrous wilds of the Wallowas, with some designated off-leash areas within the larger Eagle Cap Wilderness. (Nationally designated parks generally have their own off-leash rules, while Oregon State Parks require pets to be leashed unless specifically designated.) Another great place to take your pup is the Deschutes National Forest, where 95% of the land is open to dogs off-leash. Hiking opportunities vary depending on the time of year you visit (for example, in the winter, dogs are allowed off-leash on 99% of national forest lands managed by the Deschutes National Forest), and there are a variety of trails within this expanse. And, of course, there are some beautiful coastal hikes in Oregon where you and your dog can have a bona fide beach day!
