Best Hikes in Oregon

Oregon's hiking spans world-class coastal headlands, Columbia Gorge waterfall trails, Crater Lake rim walks, and volcanic alpine terrain in the Three Sisters Wilderness.

Trail of Ten Falls, Silver Falls State Park (7.2 miles)
Oregon's most beloved state park trail — a loop through a canyon passing behind or beneath ten separate waterfalls, the tallest 177 feet. The trail descends into the silver maple canyon, crosses behind South Falls and North Falls (both pass-behind experiences), and circumnavigates the canyon. Best in fall (foliage) and winter (dramatic flow). No crowds mid-week.

Multnomah Falls via Larch Mountain (6.8 miles)
From the Columbia River Gorge Highway, hike from Multnomah Falls (620 ft) to the summit of Larch Mountain (4,055 ft) — a 2,200-foot elevation gain through Douglas fir forest to a viewpoint overlooking six Cascade volcanoes (Hood, Adams, Rainier, St. Helens, Jefferson, and the Three Sisters). The Multnomah-Wahkeena Falls Loop (5 miles) is the shorter alternative, connecting two major waterfalls.

South Sister Summit (11 miles)
From Bend's Devils Lake trailhead — the most popular summit hike in Oregon. The route ascends through forest, pumice flats, and a steep snowfield (depending on season) to the 10,358-foot summit. No technical skills required in summer; crampons useful before July. The summit view of the high Cascades is exceptional.

Crater Lake Rim Trail and Garfield Peak (3.4 miles)
From Rim Village at Crater Lake — Garfield Peak (8,060 ft) rises above the lake's south rim. The trail gives the definitive aerial view of the lake's impossibly blue water. Best in early morning before clouds build.

Steens Mountain: Wildhorse Lake (4 miles)
From the Steens Mountain Loop Road in southeast Oregon — the hike drops into a glacially carved canyon to Wildhorse Lake (7,400 ft), a turquoise tarn in the most spectacular terrain in Oregon's high desert. The surrounding rimrock and the sweeping view east to the Alvord Desert are extraordinary.