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Abiqua Falls

Scotts Mills, Oregon

4.9/5
based on 24 reviews

Details

Distance

0.69 miles

Elevation Gain

115 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Whitney Whitehouse

Take a short hike to one of Oregon's most scenic waterfalls, Abiqua Falls (92 feet). It's helpful to drive to the trailhead in a 4x4 and necessary in the winter months.

This trail is unmarked and a little rough and rugged. The land is privately owned by Mount Angel Abbey, but they don't appear to have problems with courteous hikers. Walking out of the parking area back up the road in the direction you came from, you’ll pass one dirt trail right at the ending of the parking area. Look about a little further down the road (~100 feet) and find the second trail – this is the one you want. After hiking down a steep part of the trail, you’ll hit the creek. Head upstream along the creek to get to the falls. As you get close to the falls, you’ll have to climb over logs and boulders.

This is also an amazing spot to capture photos during the winter. Make sure that if you choose to go here in the snowy months that you have a 4x4 vehicle to get you to the trailhead.

For directions on how to get to the parking area:Use a GPS to get you to the town of Scotts Mills, from there you'll want to turn south on Crooked Finger road. You'll go about 9.5 miles down that road, the pavement will end and you'll want to keep going. Once the dirt road starts you'll drive another 1.4 miles until you come to a dirt road on the right that is marked with some writing on a piece of wood on a tree - it reads CF 300. After you're on CF 300 drive straight at every junction until you get to a parking area about 2.5 miles downhill. The road is pretty rough and you'll think you're going the wrong way, but keep going :) you'll know you're at the end when you reach a locked gate.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Scenic
Waterfall

Abiqua Falls Reviews

I visited the falls in early January. Since the road in was covered in a bit of snow, I parked in the main lot. This made the trek to the falls a bit more confusing and likely took longer than it normally would in the spring or summer months. However, once I got to the short trail which leads to the falls, it was smooth sailing. The falls are absolutely stunning in the winter and probably less busy than the summer months. I went around 9am on a Thursday and had the place to myself for a solid 45 minutes.

This is was the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen and an amazing swimming place! Be careful coming down there's a lot of steep trails and drops but there should be ropes to hold onto! 👍🏼

Abiqua falls is one of the Oregon waterfalls that needs to be seen in person to truly be appreciated. The experience of actually being at the falls is far more grand than many of the pictures portray. while the road is rough (be careful with the car you bring) and the tourists are many, this one is well worth putting on an Oregon bucket list, or even returning to for a second, third, or even 4th visit!

Leave No Trace

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

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