Koosah Falls Hike
Waterfall | Oregon
2.6 mi loop
380 ft
Easy
Koosah Falls Hike at a Glance
The Koosah Falls hike via the Waterfalls Loop Trail is 2.6 mi loop with 380 ft of elevation gain.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 2,800 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Waterfalls Loop Trail |
| Distance | 2.6 mi loop |
| Elevation gain | 380 ft |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Your time: about 1 h 5 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h 20 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 600 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 2.6 mi distance and 380 ft of gain for this hike are verified (oregonhikers.org), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Koosah Falls
Koosah Falls is a waterfall in Oregon, on land managed by Willamette National Forest.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Waterfalls Loop Trail: 2.6 miles as a loop with about 380 feet of elevation gain, from Sahalie Falls Trailhead. Distance from oregonhikers.org. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Easy.
Before You Go
- The viewpoints on this side of the loop do not have protective railings. (oregonhikers.org)
- Bicyclists must dismount and walk bicycles on the east side of the loop between the Koosah and Sahalie Falls viewpoints. (fs.usda.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Willamette National Forest for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Koosah Falls?
The Waterfalls Loop Trail to Koosah Falls is 2.6 miles as a loop with about 380 feet of elevation gain.
Where does the Koosah Falls hike start?
It starts from Sahalie Falls Trailhead.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Koosah Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- oregonhikers.org
- Distance
- oregonhikers.org
- Falls location
- en.wikipedia.org
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Koosah Falls.