Type: Out and Back
Trailhead: Multnomah Falls Recreation Area
Map: Google Maps
Length: 2 miles
Time: 1 hour
Nearest Major City: Portland, OR
Best time of year: All Year Round
Elevation Gain: 629 ft
Highest Point: 675 ft
There is no denying the beauty of Multnomah Falls, one of the most visited waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest. Located near the Columbia Gorge and just 30 minutes outside of Portland this is a must see attraction when in Oregon. But is the hike to the top worth it?
The Good: Picture Perfect
Let’s start off with the obvious. Multnomah Falls is amazing and picture perfect. All year round, even in the dead of winter, the falls are gorgeous. Take a look at any souvenir shop in Portland and you can see what the falls look like year round.
The Bad: Common Sense
You’re going to read a thousand other blog posts on various websites about how you have to hike to the top of the falls. There are plenty of reasons to go hike along the Larch Mountain Trail but skip the side trail to the waterfall viewpoint. The viewpoint sits directly over the beginning of the falls. Now after reading the sites that tell you to do this hike, allow your common sense to take over. If I stand directly above the falls, I actually won’t be able to see the waterfalls. There, I just saved you 2 miles of endless switchbacks for a view of nothing.
If you do want to fit in a hike in this area you can use this trail as part of the Wahkeena Falls Loop. This makes the trail worth exploring as it gives you access to even several more waterfalls.
The Ugly: People Suck
You better be a morning person if you want a shot at seeing Multnomah Falls. By 9 am traffic will be backed up at least and hour and there won’t be a single parking spot available. It is understandable why so many want to see the falls, but with so many people crowding around you as you try to take a picture of the falls, it almost ruins the experience.
Is it Worth it?
Yes, Multnomah Falls are 100% worth seeing. The trick is to go early before the crowds arrive and only hike to the top if you are going to continue on to more waterfalls or you just want to say you have hiked the highest waterfall in Oregon.
Trail Tips
- Get there before 9:00 am
- Have breakfast at the lodge afterward, the prices are actually quite reasonable
- Be prepared to get stuck walking behind large groups of people.
- The trail to the top is mostly pavement until the last 0.25 miles.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.