This story originally appeared in 2015.
Oregon’s largest state park is home to one of the world’s most beautiful hiking trails: the Trail of Ten Falls.
On this hiking trail you walk through a temperate rainforest where you will find 10 spectacular waterfalls, half of which darken 30 meters.
The best part is that you can even walk behind four waterfalls, offering a unique experience that delights everyone from children to adults.
The only problem is that the Trail of Ten Falls is quite long and challenging: 14 km long and 350 meters of elevation gain.
Many visitors, especially those with children, will not be able to hike the entire gorge.
But that shouldn’t stop you from seeing every waterfall.
Below I have put together the top 5 easy hikes at Silver Falls. By starting at different trailheads, you can see the Trail of Ten Falls in short steps, rather than all at once.
All of the waterfall hikes below are shorter than 3 miles, which is a good limit for younger children.
And if you haven’t listened to the first episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast – now 160 episodes strong – we explore the wild history behind Silver Falls State Park.
No. 5: Stroller and dog route
This first hike does not offer a view of the waterfall, but it does provide a very important option for families.
The Trail of Ten Falls does not allow pets (even if on a leash), and it is not ideal for strollers.
So if you have dogs and babies, it may make sense for some family members to walk the paved bike path that starts at the South Falls Day Use Area.
The trail is a 4-mile loop (you don’t have to do it all) and passes some absolutely enormous trees on a gentle stroll.
The route starts at the far end of the South Falls car park and is easy to find by following the small green cycle signs.
No. 4: South Falls Loop
This 1 mile hike is the classic Silver Falls hike and the most popular in the state park.
The route begins at the South Falls Day Use Area and follows a paved hiking trail past the historic South Falls Lodge (where lunch is served) to a view of the top of the 170-foot waterfall.
Follow the sidewalk downhill, turn left at the intersection and walk into the cave behind South Falls. After enjoying this magical place, follow the sidewalk and cross a scenic bridge overlooking South Falls and walk back the way you came.
The hike uphill is a bit steep, but doable for most people.
ROUTE: Start at the South Falls Day Use Area. Walk past South Falls Lodge on the main paved path. Follow Trail of Ten Falls to and behind South Falls. Cross the bridge and return via the same route you came from. Total: 1 mile, 280 feet of climbing
No. 3: Lower South Falls Loop
This hike is an extension of the hike above, adding another spectacular waterfall and 2.5 kilometers of hiking for a total route of 4.2 kilometers.
This hike follows the same route past South Falls, but instead of crossing the bridge, it continues to the 100-foot Lower South Falls, another spot where you can hike behind a sheet of falling water.
After soaking up the spray from Lower South Falls, turn right onto the Maple Ridge Trail and follow it back to your car at the South Falls Day Use Area.
The full hike is 4.2 miles with a steep little hike to get out of the gorge which will be challenging for younger children. Make sure they make it the final stretch up with the promise of ice cream from South Falls Lodge.
ROUTE: Start at the South Falls Day Use Area. Walk past South Falls Lodge on the main paved path. Follow the Trail of Ten Falls to and behind South Falls. Continue 1 mile to Lower South Falls and follow signs. Turn right onto the Maple Ridge Trail and follow it back to the parking lot. Total: 4.2 miles, 400 feet of climbing
No. 2: North Falls and Upper North Falls
Due to smaller crowds and a shorter hike – and the fact that I’ve always found North Falls slightly more interesting than South Falls – this hike comes in at number 2.
Start at the North Falls Trailhead and begin hiking to Upper North Falls, a 65-foot plunge into a pool. Then hike back the way you came and descend to North Falls, a 41-foot-tall frozen rope of a waterfall that thunders into the rocks below.
Visiting both waterfalls requires an easy 1.6 miles without much climbing. The cave behind North Falls is my favorite in the park. It is a huge, impressive cathedral overlooking the waterfall that overlooks the forest.
This can be split into two very short walks of 1.3km to Upper North Falls or 1.0km to North Falls Cave.
ROUTE: Start at North Falls Trailhead. Hike 1.3 miles to Upper North Falls and to the trailhead. Hike 1km to North Falls Cave and back. Total: 2.6 miles, 205 feet of climbing
No. 1: Five Falls tour
This walk is at its best during the rainy season, and when it rolls there are five waterfalls to see, three of which are quite breathtaking.
With a length of 4.2 kilometers and a climb of 130 meters, this is the toughest walk mentioned here. The good news is that without any dull moments, the miles fly by. I wouldn’t mind taking kids on this hike, as long as I plan some extra time.
The hike begins at Winter Falls Trailhead and passes a 130-foot waterfall of the same name, then connects with the Trail of Ten Falls and passes Middle North Falls (100 feet), Drake Falls (30 feet), Lower North Falls (30 feet). ). ) and ends at Double Falls (178 feet).
Middle North Falls is probably the highlight – because you can hike into a cave behind the water – but it has close competition from Double Falls, which falls in levels and holds the title of the park’s highest waterfalls.
You can even add a sixth waterfall by adding another 0.6 miles to Twin Falls.
Anyway, if you want a short trek with great value for money, this route is my top choice.
ROUTE: Start at Winter Falls Trailhead. Follow the trail downhill to Winter Falls. Turn left onto the Trail of Ten Falls. Hike to Middle North Falls and follow a trail to the left to explore behind the waterfall. Continue to a bridge and turn right to Double Falls. Total: 4.2 miles, 450 feet of climbing.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and hosts the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him at X at @ZachsORoutdoors
This article originally appeared in Salem Statesman Journal: The 5 Best Easy Hikes to See Oregon’s Beautiful Silver Falls State Park
