Oregon is full of wonderful hiking trails that lead through just about every type of landscape. From meandering mountaintop trails to lush waterfall hikes, these 11 short trails in Oregon will amaze you through and through. Lace up your boots and hit the trails!
- Wahclella Falls
flickr/ Robert Shea Located in the Columbia River Gorge, Wahclellah Falls is a stunning waterfall you can reach on a two-mile hike that weaves through the most magical scenery. Wahclella Falls, Oregon 97014, USA
- Drift Creek Falls
Flickr/ Attu012 Taking a hike on the Drift Creek Falls Trail is a wonderful excursion like no other. This 2.6-mile trail in the Suislaw National Forest leads through woodsy scenery and across a thin 240-foot suspension bridge that overlooks the lovely Drift Creek Falls. Drift Creek Falls Trail 1378 (Trail Head), BLM Rd 1770, Otis, OR 97368, USA
- Mt Howard Summit
flickr/ Eliza Adam For a unique adventure, take the Wallowa Lake Tramway to the summit of Mt. Howard, located in northeastern Oregon. At the top of the mountain you’ll find amazing views as well as an easy 1.5-mile loop trail. Wallowa Lake Tramway, 59919 Wallowa Lake Hwy, Joseph, OR 97846, USA
- Elowah Falls
flickr/ Robert Shea This 1.4-mile out and back trail leads through a lush landscape to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the entire Columbia River Gorge: Elowah Falls. Elowah Falls, Oregon 97014, USA
- Marys Peak Summit Hike
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington The hike to the top of Marys Peak is an easy 1.5-mile excursion where you’ll find vast views, picturesque mountaintop meadows, and the most wonderful wildflowers in the late spring and summer months. Marys Peak, Oregon 97370, USA
- Proxy Falls
flickr/ Thomas Shahan The trail to Proxy Falls is a gorgeous 1.6-mile loop located in the Willamette National Forest. You won’t forget an outing at this beautiful place. Proxy Falls, Oregon 97413, USA
- Juniper Gulch Hike
flickr/ Sarah H Leslie Gulch is a little known hidden gem tucked away in the southeastern corner of Oregon. This otherworldly landscape is a great place to explore. One way to see the area is to take a hike on the wonderful, 2.4-mile Juniper Gulch Trail. We recommend only going when it has been consistently dry; Leslie Gulch is much harder to access when there has been rain in the area. Leslie Gulch, Oregon 97910, USA
- Plaikni Falls
flickr/ Mike Located near Crater Lake, the Plaikni Falls Trail is a gorgeous hidden gem waterfall in Southern Oregon. An easy two-mile walk on this trail will bring you to a graceful waterfall that pours into a picturesque meadow that’s dotted with wildflowers at certain times of year. Plaikni Falls Trailhead, Oregon 97604, USA
- Chimney Rock
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington Located in Central Oregon, the 2.6-mile hike to Chimney Rock leads through beauteous high desert scenery featuring stunning views of the Crooked River Canyon and the Lower Crooked River. Chimney Rock, Oregon 97386, USA
- Mirror Lake
flickr/ Photography by Dale Marie Located in the Mt. Hood National Forest, the hike to Mirror Lake is a wondrous 2.9-mile outing that leads to a hidden alpine lake that reflects the summit of Mt Hood and is a great swimming spot in the summertime. Mirror Lake, Oregon 97049, USA
- Sweet Creek Trail
flickr/ Rick Obst Located near Mapleton, the Sweet Creek Trail is a fabulous, family-friendly hike that’s 2.2 miles long and features lush woodsy scenery, a glittering creek, charming bridges, and a magical waterfall at the end. Sweet Creek Road, Sweet Creek Rd, Mapleton, OR 97453, USA
As always, be sure to respect your surroundings by following the Leave No Trace policy.
flickr/ Robert Shea
Located in the Columbia River Gorge, Wahclellah Falls is a stunning waterfall you can reach on a two-mile hike that weaves through the most magical scenery.
Wahclella Falls, Oregon 97014, USA
Flickr/ Attu012
Taking a hike on the Drift Creek Falls Trail is a wonderful excursion like no other. This 2.6-mile trail in the Suislaw National Forest leads through woodsy scenery and across a thin 240-foot suspension bridge that overlooks the lovely Drift Creek Falls.
Drift Creek Falls Trail 1378 (Trail Head), BLM Rd 1770, Otis, OR 97368, USA
flickr/ Eliza Adam
For a unique adventure, take the Wallowa Lake Tramway to the summit of Mt. Howard, located in northeastern Oregon. At the top of the mountain you’ll find amazing views as well as an easy 1.5-mile loop trail.
Wallowa Lake Tramway, 59919 Wallowa Lake Hwy, Joseph, OR 97846, USA
This 1.4-mile out and back trail leads through a lush landscape to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the entire Columbia River Gorge: Elowah Falls.
Elowah Falls, Oregon 97014, USA
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington
The hike to the top of Marys Peak is an easy 1.5-mile excursion where you’ll find vast views, picturesque mountaintop meadows, and the most wonderful wildflowers in the late spring and summer months.
Marys Peak, Oregon 97370, USA
flickr/ Thomas Shahan
The trail to Proxy Falls is a gorgeous 1.6-mile loop located in the Willamette National Forest. You won’t forget an outing at this beautiful place.
Proxy Falls, Oregon 97413, USA
flickr/ Sarah H
Leslie Gulch is a little known hidden gem tucked away in the southeastern corner of Oregon. This otherworldly landscape is a great place to explore. One way to see the area is to take a hike on the wonderful, 2.4-mile Juniper Gulch Trail. We recommend only going when it has been consistently dry; Leslie Gulch is much harder to access when there has been rain in the area.
Leslie Gulch, Oregon 97910, USA
flickr/ Mike
Located near Crater Lake, the Plaikni Falls Trail is a gorgeous hidden gem waterfall in Southern Oregon. An easy two-mile walk on this trail will bring you to a graceful waterfall that pours into a picturesque meadow that’s dotted with wildflowers at certain times of year.
Plaikni Falls Trailhead, Oregon 97604, USA
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington
Located in Central Oregon, the 2.6-mile hike to Chimney Rock leads through beauteous high desert scenery featuring stunning views of the Crooked River Canyon and the Lower Crooked River.
Chimney Rock, Oregon 97386, USA
flickr/ Photography by Dale Marie
Located in the Mt. Hood National Forest, the hike to Mirror Lake is a wondrous 2.9-mile outing that leads to a hidden alpine lake that reflects the summit of Mt Hood and is a great swimming spot in the summertime.
Mirror Lake, Oregon 97049, USA
flickr/ Rick Obst
Located near Mapleton, the Sweet Creek Trail is a fabulous, family-friendly hike that’s 2.2 miles long and features lush woodsy scenery, a glittering creek, charming bridges, and a magical waterfall at the end.
Sweet Creek Road, Sweet Creek Rd, Mapleton, OR 97453, USA
So what do you think about these trails? Do you think they’re some of the best short-and-sweet hikes in Oregon? Are there any you’d add to the list? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
And if you’re looking for more fun and accessible hiking adventures around Oregon, here are some of our favorite hikes that are under a mile!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Oregon April 16, 2022 Sarah M. What are some bucket-list-worthy hikes in Oregon? Hiking adventures abound in the Beaver State, and for those looking to check a few items off their bucket list, we have compiled this list of five trails we think everyone in Oregon should try at least once. One in particular is a trek that pretty much every avid Oregon hiker has done at least once: the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park. At 9,000 glorious acres, Silver Falls State Park is the largest and most popular state park in Oregon, and it’s easy to see why once you see all this wondrous place has to offer. And located in Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls is one of the most enchanting hikes in all of Oregon. This beautiful trail winds through a lush, green forest, passing 10 stunning waterfalls (four of which you can walk behind). In addition to its dazzling falls, Silver Falls State Park is home to an amazingly diverse array of ecosystems and terrain – the park boasts a lush temperate rain forest of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, Oregon grape, and other native trees and plants. There really is nothing quite like the trail! What are some scenic hikes in Oregon? While the Oregon Coast and Columbia River Gorge often steal the spotlight in terms of outdoor recreation, Smith Rock State Park is one of those places that often flies under the radar. One hike, the Misery Ridge and River Trail, might have an ominous name, but it’s wonderful. This trail is four miles out and back, and has a 1,000-foot elevation climb, so be prepared for a workout. But the views? Totally worth it. Another immensely scenic hike in Oregon is the Wildwood Trail in Portland. In a city with well over 650,000 people, you’d think it would be hard to find a quiet spot. Not so! Forest Park is so large and secluded that you can actually find a little bit of peace and quiet here. Hop on the 29-mile-long trail at any of its entry points, and enjoy some of the most incredible views of Rose City. We’re partial to stopping at Pittock Mansion, which offers sweeping views of downtown Portland and beyond. Looking for more scenic hikes in Oregon? Check out these 12 treks.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Oregon
April 16, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some bucket-list-worthy hikes in Oregon? Hiking adventures abound in the Beaver State, and for those looking to check a few items off their bucket list, we have compiled this list of five trails we think everyone in Oregon should try at least once. One in particular is a trek that pretty much every avid Oregon hiker has done at least once: the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park. At 9,000 glorious acres, Silver Falls State Park is the largest and most popular state park in Oregon, and it’s easy to see why once you see all this wondrous place has to offer. And located in Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls is one of the most enchanting hikes in all of Oregon. This beautiful trail winds through a lush, green forest, passing 10 stunning waterfalls (four of which you can walk behind). In addition to its dazzling falls, Silver Falls State Park is home to an amazingly diverse array of ecosystems and terrain – the park boasts a lush temperate rain forest of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, Oregon grape, and other native trees and plants. There really is nothing quite like the trail! What are some scenic hikes in Oregon? While the Oregon Coast and Columbia River Gorge often steal the spotlight in terms of outdoor recreation, Smith Rock State Park is one of those places that often flies under the radar. One hike, the Misery Ridge and River Trail, might have an ominous name, but it’s wonderful. This trail is four miles out and back, and has a 1,000-foot elevation climb, so be prepared for a workout. But the views? Totally worth it. Another immensely scenic hike in Oregon is the Wildwood Trail in Portland. In a city with well over 650,000 people, you’d think it would be hard to find a quiet spot. Not so! Forest Park is so large and secluded that you can actually find a little bit of peace and quiet here. Hop on the 29-mile-long trail at any of its entry points, and enjoy some of the most incredible views of Rose City. We’re partial to stopping at Pittock Mansion, which offers sweeping views of downtown Portland and beyond. Looking for more scenic hikes in Oregon? Check out these 12 treks.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hiking adventures abound in the Beaver State, and for those looking to check a few items off their bucket list, we have compiled this list of five trails we think everyone in Oregon should try at least once. One in particular is a trek that pretty much every avid Oregon hiker has done at least once: the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park. At 9,000 glorious acres, Silver Falls State Park is the largest and most popular state park in Oregon, and it’s easy to see why once you see all this wondrous place has to offer. And located in Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls is one of the most enchanting hikes in all of Oregon. This beautiful trail winds through a lush, green forest, passing 10 stunning waterfalls (four of which you can walk behind). In addition to its dazzling falls, Silver Falls State Park is home to an amazingly diverse array of ecosystems and terrain – the park boasts a lush temperate rain forest of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, Oregon grape, and other native trees and plants. There really is nothing quite like the trail!
What are some scenic hikes in Oregon?
While the Oregon Coast and Columbia River Gorge often steal the spotlight in terms of outdoor recreation, Smith Rock State Park is one of those places that often flies under the radar. One hike, the Misery Ridge and River Trail, might have an ominous name, but it’s wonderful. This trail is four miles out and back, and has a 1,000-foot elevation climb, so be prepared for a workout. But the views? Totally worth it. Another immensely scenic hike in Oregon is the Wildwood Trail in Portland. In a city with well over 650,000 people, you’d think it would be hard to find a quiet spot. Not so! Forest Park is so large and secluded that you can actually find a little bit of peace and quiet here. Hop on the 29-mile-long trail at any of its entry points, and enjoy some of the most incredible views of Rose City. We’re partial to stopping at Pittock Mansion, which offers sweeping views of downtown Portland and beyond. Looking for more scenic hikes in Oregon? Check out these 12 treks.
