Wahkeena Falls Hike
Waterfall · about 242 ft high | Oregon
4.6 mi loop
1,700 ft
Hard
Wahkeena Falls Hike at a Glance
The Wahkeena Falls hike via the Multnomah-Wahkeena Falls Loop is 4.6 mi loop with 1,700 ft of elevation gain.
| Falls height | About 242 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Multnomah-Wahkeena Falls Loop |
| Distance | 4.6 mi loop |
| Elevation gain | 1,700 ft |
| Difficulty | Hard |
Your time: about 2 h 25 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 3 h at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 1,350 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 4.6 mi distance and 1,700 ft of gain for this hike are verified (gorgefriends.org), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Wahkeena Falls
Wahkeena Falls is a waterfall in Oregon, about 242 feet high, on land managed by Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (U.S. Forest Service). Its height is from fs.usda.gov.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Multnomah-Wahkeena Falls Loop: 4.6 miles as a loop with about 1,700 feet of elevation gain, from Multnomah Falls. Distance from gorgefriends.org. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Hard.
Before You Go
- Dogs must be on leash. (gorgefriends.org)
- The Wahkeena Falls area has an accessible viewing platform. (fs.usda.gov)
- In 2026 timed-use permits were required for the I-84 Multnomah Falls parking lot from May 22 to September 7, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; check the Forest Service for the current season. (kptv.com)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (U.S. Forest Service) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Wahkeena Falls?
The Multnomah-Wahkeena Falls Loop to Wahkeena Falls is 4.6 miles as a loop with about 1,700 feet of elevation gain.
Where does the Wahkeena Falls hike start?
It starts from Multnomah Falls.
How tall is Wahkeena Falls?
Wahkeena Falls is about 242 feet high.
Are dogs allowed on the Wahkeena Falls trail?
Dogs must be 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 Wahkeena Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- gorgefriends.org
- Distance
- gorgefriends.org
- Falls height
- fs.usda.gov
- Falls location
- en.wikipedia.org
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Wahkeena Falls.