Wahkeena Falls
Wahkeena Falls
4.5
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- PH2003Denver, Colorado382 contributionsA good stopping pointWe stopped at Wahkeena Falls on the way to Multnomah and it was worth getting out of the car. There’s a lot of trails in the area and there is parking. I’d recommend getting there sooner rather than later, even in the off-season. We parked okay around 9:30am but when we were leaving there were cars waiting for open spaces.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 10, 2024
- Have Camera, Will TravelSouth Bend, Indiana3,714 contributionsNice Falls and a nice little HikeWe stopped here right after Multnomah, which sort of spoils Wahkeena and it's hard to follow the biggest and best in the area. It was still pretty. We were there in the rain, so it was also pretty sparse of people, which was nice. It is very much worth a stop, it's just not the most impressive of the group of falls along the gorge.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten August 9, 2024
- PixmanSACape Town, South Africa229 contributionsLovely falls, interesting past.This 242 feet high waterfall is worth a visit. It is very scenic and I might add, quite busy with tourists. The parking area is a bit tricky to find but once you are parked (oh, and you need to book before you arrive) you can walk almost right up to the falls. A selfie (family or self) is obligatory. Then back to the souvenir shop for the bottle opener or book or whatever you'd like to buy to remember the visit by.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 17, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Have Camera, Will Travel
South Bend, IN3,714 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We stopped here right after Multnomah, which sort of spoils Wahkeena and it's hard to follow the biggest and best in the area. It was still pretty. We were there in the rain, so it was also pretty sparse of people, which was nice. It is very much worth a stop, it's just not the most impressive of the group of falls along the gorge.
Written August 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erica S
Waretown, NJ785 contributions
Nov 2021 • Family
This is a smaller waterfall near Multnomah and without the stop. There are multiple trails, some short (0.2 miles and then others a mile or more). You can see the falls from the road and there is a small platform where you can see it well. You can hike half way up to get a better vantage point. Definitely worth a stop to take in the beauty.
Written November 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeeTheW0rld62
Sunnyvale, CA2,265 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
We couldn't hike at Multnomah Falls so we went to the Wahkeena Falls trail. You can hike to Fairy Falls which worked well for us. It's a beautiful hike. It's a pretty steep trail - all up and then all down.
Written October 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rvr2mtn
Portland, OR95 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
While massive tourism abounds at Multnomah Falls, the switchback trail to Wahkeena Falls is just west before Multnomah Falls and offers a less crowded beautiful venue. The switchback trail to the falls is short and lush. The rewards are plentiful. Still, I would go further - don't stop here if you have the time, fitness, and energy to go further.
Go to Lemmon Point and keep going.
Further up the trail is Fairy Falls, tumbling across the trail, and the the switchbacks keep bringing you back to the refreshing, tumbling water contributing to Wahkeena - and the beauty get's better as you move above the Gorge and away from the population congesting Multnomah Falls.
If you really want to fill your soul with wonder, take the trail over to Multnomah Falls to see the many falls above it as well.
Short or long hike, this place is basically our neighborhood, and we never tire of it's always exquisite, ever changing beauty.
Go to Lemmon Point and keep going.
Further up the trail is Fairy Falls, tumbling across the trail, and the the switchbacks keep bringing you back to the refreshing, tumbling water contributing to Wahkeena - and the beauty get's better as you move above the Gorge and away from the population congesting Multnomah Falls.
If you really want to fill your soul with wonder, take the trail over to Multnomah Falls to see the many falls above it as well.
Short or long hike, this place is basically our neighborhood, and we never tire of it's always exquisite, ever changing beauty.
Written April 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RSNN
Portland, OR5,803 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
Wahkeena Falls in another waterfall along the Scenic highway that you can easily see from your car. Wahkeena is a Yakima tribe word that means “Most Beautiful” and indeed it is, if you are talking about Upper Wahkeena Falls.
The lower falls is a serries of cascades descending down to the parking lot from further up. If you hike just 0.2 miles further up you will see the most beautiful site. A 242-foot triple cascade flowing down through a sculpted shute. Flowing down to the base of an elegant stone bridge. The view here is fantastic. And there is that long log sticking out slightly over the stone bridge giving it a very distinctive 3D effect as you walk around this projection. Believe me, this is a striking site to see. And well word filming a video of the upper falls and this log. It is simply brilliant. Well worth the short 0.2 mile hike.
Now if you are up to a longer hike, try doing the Multnomah Falls– Wahkeena Falls loop. You can do this hike starting here or at Multnomah falls. But hiking from here might be the most interesting. Between both these falls are several lovely smaller waterfalls. Fairy Falls, and Weisendanger Falls to name just a few. And what is the pay off of hiking in this direction?
The payoff is where you end up. You end up at the Multnomah Falls View Point– where the water flows and plunges over the cliff. To falls way, way down below. Making this a very awesome site to see indeed. And from here on out it is all down hill. Where you can easily catch your breath as you return to world down below at ground zero– Multnomah Falls Lodge. From here it is a short walk back to Wahkeena falls parking lot on a path along side the road.
Other sites just off the Multnomah Falls– Wahkeena Falls Loop that you might consider hiking to are Wahkeena Springs where the water flows out from the ground and flows down hill. Devil’s rest at its 2450– foot elevation. And Angels Rest’s mini mesa and its awesome panoramic view of the Columbia River. That is, if you are up to the challenges offered by these names that reign from Heaven and Hell.
The lower falls is a serries of cascades descending down to the parking lot from further up. If you hike just 0.2 miles further up you will see the most beautiful site. A 242-foot triple cascade flowing down through a sculpted shute. Flowing down to the base of an elegant stone bridge. The view here is fantastic. And there is that long log sticking out slightly over the stone bridge giving it a very distinctive 3D effect as you walk around this projection. Believe me, this is a striking site to see. And well word filming a video of the upper falls and this log. It is simply brilliant. Well worth the short 0.2 mile hike.
Now if you are up to a longer hike, try doing the Multnomah Falls– Wahkeena Falls loop. You can do this hike starting here or at Multnomah falls. But hiking from here might be the most interesting. Between both these falls are several lovely smaller waterfalls. Fairy Falls, and Weisendanger Falls to name just a few. And what is the pay off of hiking in this direction?
The payoff is where you end up. You end up at the Multnomah Falls View Point– where the water flows and plunges over the cliff. To falls way, way down below. Making this a very awesome site to see indeed. And from here on out it is all down hill. Where you can easily catch your breath as you return to world down below at ground zero– Multnomah Falls Lodge. From here it is a short walk back to Wahkeena falls parking lot on a path along side the road.
Other sites just off the Multnomah Falls– Wahkeena Falls Loop that you might consider hiking to are Wahkeena Springs where the water flows out from the ground and flows down hill. Devil’s rest at its 2450– foot elevation. And Angels Rest’s mini mesa and its awesome panoramic view of the Columbia River. That is, if you are up to the challenges offered by these names that reign from Heaven and Hell.
Written October 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimOtto
Amarillo, TX82 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Located along Highway 30. Beautiful views. Not a lot of room to park, but it is well worth it stop. A must see in Oregon.
Written July 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cristina T
Seattle, WA171 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
We stopped here on a very busy weekend. We had no trouble parking and I recommend to park here if you are planning to go to Multnomah falls and do not mind a .5 mile hike or a 5 mile hike. We chose the 5 mile hike to the right of the falls clearly indicated. The hike is moderate and offers multiple lookout points and views on falls. We went around 9:30am, used tennis shoes, did not bring water and survived. The crowd when getting to Multnomah falls are impressive so we Re glad we started here. The traffic on 30 between the 2 falls is crazy, so park facing opposite direction to Multnomah falls and just head to 84 towards Portland. You can take the first exit and turnaround to go towards the Dalles.
Written September 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cdkassotis
Detroit, MI1,087 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
I'd recommend starting with Multnomah Falls as the views when climbing up are extraordinary. If you do it in reverse, starting here at Wahkeena, you will be coming down at Multnomah and won't have as excellent views as you would otherwise.
Key point: the first ~1 mile on either side is crowded as most people walk up to the top and then come back down. I heartily recommend the slightly longer ~5-6 mile trek up one waterfall and over through the woods to the second before coming back down. Once you are passed the rush of people doing the short climb we found it to be extremely quiet for the rest of the hike. You'll also see an additional 6-8 smaller waterfalls on the path between the two. Lots of gorgeous sights. Don't miss it!
Key point: the first ~1 mile on either side is crowded as most people walk up to the top and then come back down. I heartily recommend the slightly longer ~5-6 mile trek up one waterfall and over through the woods to the second before coming back down. Once you are passed the rush of people doing the short climb we found it to be extremely quiet for the rest of the hike. You'll also see an additional 6-8 smaller waterfalls on the path between the two. Lots of gorgeous sights. Don't miss it!
Written March 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
West Jefferson, NC4,954 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
One of many falls in the area and easy to walk around a to get great views for photos. Was not very crowded when we were there around 4 PM on a Sunday.
Written January 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher C
Calgary, Canada560 contributions
Jan 2020
I'm hardly bashing Multnomah, but is a horribly crowded tourist trap, and there are countless other beautiful waterfalls along beautiful trails to be discovered, such as this one .... and its only about a 1/2 mile down, parking wise, because you sure as hell aren't finding a parking spot near Multnomah Falls !
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is one able to view the falls since the fire closed off the area?
Written January 24, 2018
Sorry, we were there right before the fires. I have no idea how the area is now. If everything is open, I would suggest parking at the park on the west side prior to the falls and walking the trail in, that was very enjoyable. It did require a bit of agility and good shoes, not for those in average condition.
Written January 26, 2018
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