Wahclella Falls Hike
Waterfall | Oregon
2.4 mi round trip
320 ft
Easy
Wahclella Falls Hike at a Glance
The Wahclella Falls hike is 2.4 mi round trip with 320 ft of elevation gain.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 700 ft |
|---|---|
| Distance | 2.4 mi round trip |
| Elevation gain | 320 ft |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Your time: about 1 h of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h 10 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 540 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 2.4 mi distance and 320 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 Wahclella Falls
Wahclella Falls is a waterfall in Oregon, on land managed by Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (USDA Forest Service).
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Wahclella Falls Trail: 2.4 miles round trip with about 320 feet of elevation gain, from Wahclella Falls Trailhead. Distance from oregonhikers.org. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Easy.
Before You Go
- A valid Recreation Pass is required at Wahclella Falls Trailhead. (fs.usda.gov)
- Dogs are allowed on leash. (oregonhikers.org)
- The upper part of the loop remains closed because of ongoing slides and rockfall. (oregonhikers.org)
- There are some steep dropoffs. (oregonhikers.org)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (USDA Forest Service) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Wahclella Falls?
The Wahclella Falls Trail to Wahclella Falls is 2.4 miles round trip with about 320 feet of elevation gain.
Where does the Wahclella Falls hike start?
It starts from Wahclella Falls Trailhead.
Is there a fee to hike to Wahclella Falls?
A valid Recreation Pass is required at Wahclella Falls Trailhead.
Are dogs allowed on the Wahclella Falls trail?
Dogs are allowed on leash.
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 Wahclella 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 Wahclella Falls.