Wahclella Falls

Cascade Locks, Oregon

4.8/5

based on 16 reviews

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Details

Distance

1.74 miles

Elevation Gain

410 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Vic Garcia

Quick and easy trail to take in the powerful 65-foot Lower Wahclella Falls.

This is a very short and fairly easy, 1 mile in – 1 mile out, hike with a little bit of elevation gain. I took my time hiking and enjoying the scenery with the intention of this being a photo heavy trip. When I got to the end I spent at least an hour shooting from every angle I saw fit. Once you arrive at the falls though, all you can do for at least a minute is stand in absolute awe at the power and beauty of this waterfall.

What makes this hike so great is its accessibility. The trailhead is easy to find and the hike is short enough that once you are done gawking, you have time to jump back in the car and do another hike.

Something to remember - Be prepared to pay the $5 fee at any Gorge trailhead OR just buy a Northwest Pass if you do enough hiking to justify it. Those are only $30 and you can pick them up at your local REI or other outdoor retailers.

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Features

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Dog Friendly

Forest

Scenic

Waterfalls

Wahclella Falls Reviews

Stephanie Lopez

Wayfinder

Wahclella Falls

03/17/25

Love this trail! Even bettwr when its raining and the falls are flowing! Easy parking, but small lot. Bathrooms available.

5.0

Olivia Aguilar

Beginner

Wahclella Falls

02/27/22

Short and sweet! Highly recommend it!

4.0

Katelyn Lund

Beginner

Wahclella Falls

08/28/17

I left to do this hike after work on a week night, and still had plenty of time to explore after the drive out. The falls are easy to find, and so are ways to get down to the river and do a lil side exploring. My pup was stoked on it too.

4.0

Paul Wojciechowski

Wanderer

Wahclella Falls

06/30/17

This was shorter than expected but with decent elevation gain for a 45 minute hike. Grab a brew at hood river afterward!

4.0

Elise Heimowitz

Scout

Wahclella Falls

11/27/16

Stunning and easy hike! Definitely recommend going during the rainy season so you can see all the amazing seasonal waterfalls.

5.0

Lindsy Dugan

Trailblazer

Wahclella Falls

11/05/16

Fairly easy hike up to another breathtaking waterfall in the region. Quite a bit of mist comes off, bring a cloth for your camera. Also be prepared for major crowds, parking can be difficult on weekends the two lane road that leads along there gets packed with traffic as well. Worth a trip if you go early!

4.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Snow Hike to Wahclella Falls

The wooden bridges, Munra Falls, beautiful canyon walls, and the mossy grotto at the end of the canyon itself would be enough of a draw for this hike, but you round the last corner and 65 foot Wahclella Falls comes in full view.The big snow covered river rocks looked like giant marshmallows, and Wahclella fully shined as the main attraction. It was truly a winter wonderland.Normally, this is ea...

Munra Point

This trail is temporarily closed. Please visit the Forest Service website for updates to trails in the Columbia River Gorge. This hike starts at the Wahclella Falls trailhead, but does not use that trail. Instead, walk back towards the freeway and take a left onto the Columbia River Highway Trail. Go over the Tanner Creek bridge and take a left onto Trail #400. From here, follow Trail #400 u...

Ruckel Creek Falls

Park at the Eagle Creek Trailhead, and backtrack out towards the highway. Take the path to the right and walk alongside the highway for nearly a half mile. Stop when you are on the bridge and see the Ruckel Creek Trail to your right. If you look left, you will notice a waterfall dropping below you. This is Ruckel Creek Falls, not to be confused with Mossy Grotto, its neighbor up the stream. To ...

Wahtum Lake via Eagle Creek

This is a somewhat incomplete report because we did not venture too far into the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. The sky had been threatening us with rain for the duration of our hike along Eagle Creek and we did not want to push our luck too far since we were hoping for an early start on our drive back to Spokane the next day. We are hoping to return soon to do some more exploring, but thought th...

Metlako & Punchbowl Falls

Note: The overlook at Metlako Falls is closed. Find out more info here. This is a fairly short hike. 2 miles in to Punchbowl Falls (past Metlako Falls) and then 2 miles out. I’ve done it in all sorts of conditions from 95 degree sunny summer days to a trip in a deep freeze where I got in my wetsuit and shot under/over shots of Punchbowl while snow dumped down on me. To check out Metalko Falls,...

Mossy Grotto Falls (CLOSED)

Note: This trail may be closed. Additionally, getting to Mossy Grotto Falls is a very challenging adventure, especially when conditions are muddy. Before exploring this adventure, consider checking for updates with the Forest Service for the Columbia River Gorge: (541) 308-1700. This beautiful, hidden waterfall (20 ft. tall) was discovered in the last decade and is located off of a popular ...

Wahclella Falls

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Wahclella Falls Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Snow Hike to Wahclella Falls

Munra Point

Ruckel Creek Falls

Wahtum Lake via Eagle Creek

Metlako & Punchbowl Falls

Mossy Grotto Falls (CLOSED)

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