Willamette Valley

Extending south from the Greater Portland Metropolitain Area, Willamette Valley consists of fertile lands bordering the Willamette River. This wine-producing region is well know for its pinot noir, but the hiking deserves acclaim too! Salem and Eugene are the region’s largest cities.

The Willamette Valley Region includes three counties, Marion County, Linn County, and Lane County, each of which extend west of the valley into the east side of the Cascade Range. Marion County’s Silver Falls State Park is packed with waterfalls and is one of Oregon’s most beautiful and thrilling places to hike.

Willamette Valley Hiking

This collection of trails lists hikes roughly from west to east and north to south, but the table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you pick your next hike. Click on any trail to see a full write-up complete with photos, GPS maps, directions, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these hikes. You can also view hikes around the Willamette Valley on the Hike Finder Map.

Trail
Description
Distance
Location
Trail Of Ten Falls560Trail of Ten Falls
This loop passes ten acclaimed waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park on a picturesque and exciting hike that actually goes behind four of the waterfalls.
7.9 miles
600 feet
44.8776,
-122.6556
South Falls Silver Falls State Park570South Falls
This lollipop loop hike goes up to and behind a 177-foot waterfall that is the jewel of Silver Falls State Park.
1.1 miles
200 feet
44.8776,
-122.6556
Maple Ridge Loop572Maple Ridge Loop
This hike in Silver Falls State Park ventures behind both South Falls and Lower South Falls and also explores a ridge-top forest.
2.8 miles
375 feet
44.8776,
-122.6556
Clear Lake Loop in Willamette National Forest605Clear Lake Loop
This charming curcuit crosses lava fields and old-growth forests along the shore of a strikingly clear Cascadian lake.
5 miles
75 feet
44.3735,
-121.9985
Spencer Butte Eugene615Spencer Butte
This out and back hike crosses a fern-covered forest and goes up to the crown of a butte with 360-degree views.
5.2 miles
1,100 feet
43.99593,
-123.0997
Terwilliger Hot Springs620Terwilliger Hot Springs
Venture into Willamette National Forest to a natural hot springs where bathers can soak in a series of terraced pools.
0.9 miles
85 feet
44.082,
-122.2319

 

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Cape Lookout State Park Campground Tillamook Coast Campsites Oregon Beach Camping
Jutting out from the coast of Oregon west of Portland, Cape Lookout is a prominent promontory with tall cliffs towering hundreds of feet above the Pacific Ocean. The campground in Cape Lookout State Park is not as soaring. Luckily for beach-lovers, the campground is tucked right behind a big, beautiful beach on the north side of the cape. Cape Lookout State Park Campground is a major... Read more.
By: Published: Last updated: June 29, 2021
Whalen Island County Campground Tillamook Coast Camping Oregon Sand Lake Estuary
Camping by the ocean should be easy and relaxing – Fun in the sun and toes in the sand. That's what you can expect to find at Whalen Island County Campground in Tillamook County. This 33-site campground sits inside the Sand Lake Estuary, a special spot along the Three Capes Scenic Loop between Cape Kiwanda and Cape Lookout on the Oregon Coast. Right from the campground, it is easy to... Read more.
Tagged with · Ocean Views · Tent Camping · Tillamook
By: Published: Last updated: June 29, 2021
Maple Ridge Loop Silver Falls State Park Maple Ridge Trail Canyon Trail Lower South Falls Waterfall Hike Oregon
Maple Ridge Loop travels behind two breathtaking waterfalls and goes through miles of wonderful forest in Silver Falls State Park. This 2.8-mile loop (with 375 feet of elevation change) is a combination of two trails, Canyon Trail and Maple Ridge Trail. Canyon Trail goes down the trough carved by South Fork Silver Creek, taking hikers amazingly close to South Falls and Lower South Falls. ... Read more.
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Tagged with · Oregon State Parks · Silver Falls State Park · Sublimity · Waterfalls
Distance: 2.8 miles · Elevation change: 375 feet
By: Published: Last updated: June 14, 2021
Cape Lookout Trail Coastal Hike Cape Lookout State Park Oregon
What is Whalen Island? It's not quite an island. It's not quite on Oregon's ocean shore. What it is... is a place that is unique, soothing, and beautiful. Wrapped be beaches and shaded by shore pines, Whalen Island sits at the heart of Sand Lake Estuary. Whalen Island – which only becomes an island during seasonal high tides - is just inland from the ocean (close enough to see the waves)... Read more.
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Tagged with · Beaches · Free Trails · Ocean Views · Oregon State Parks · Sand Dunes · Tillamook
Distance: 1.5 miles · Elevation change: 40 feet
By: Published: Last updated: June 28, 2021
Munson Creek Falls Trail Tillamook Coast Range Waterfall Munson Creek Falls State Natural Site Oregon
Measuring 319 feet tall, Munson Creek Falls is no tiny trickler. In fact, this is Oregon's tallest waterfall west of the Willamette River. Munson Creek Falls has picturesque silky tiers framed by canyon greenery. The trek to the waterfall, Munson Creek Falls Trail, is just a quarter mile long (half a mile round trip) with 90 feet of elevation change. The trail explores a lush and lovely... Read more.
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Tagged with · Creeks · Free Trails · Oregon State Parks · Tillamook · Waterfalls
Distance: 0.5 miles · Elevation change: 90 feet
By: Published: Last updated: June 28, 2021