Tunnel Falls

Cascade Locks, Oregon

4.4/5

based on 10 reviews

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Details

Distance

11.87 miles

Elevation Gain

2874 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Michael Matti

Tunnel Falls is a unique tunnel behind a beautiful waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge. Pass several other waterfalls while you hike through lush forests a trail built into the cliffside.

This hike begins at the Eagle Creek Trailhead. This is the same trailhead that goes to popular Punchbowl Falls. The trail to reach Tunnel Falls is 12 miles roundtrip on an out and back trail. If you continue another 0.5 miles on the trail after Tunnel Falls you will reach Twister Falls. The hike takes you past several other waterfalls on the way to Tunnel Falls including: Punchbowl Falls, Metlako Falls, Loowit Falls, and Skoonichuck Falls. The hike also goes along a cliff and is literally built into the side of the cliff at some points. There is a railing to hold onto for peace of mind.

The most unique part about Tunnel Falls is the tunnel behind the falls. You can also do some exploring at the base of Tunnel Falls if you make your way down the steep embankment before you get to the tunnel.

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Forest

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Waterfalls

Tunnel Falls Reviews

Lauren Stolworthy

Tunnel Falls

02/03/16

One of my favorite hikes! Minimal effort for epic rewards!

5.0

Explorer

Jason Hatfield

Explorer

Tunnel Falls

01/01/16

This is one of the best trails in The Gorge. If you like somewhat narrow cliff trails with intermixed spots of forest, this is the place to go. One of the best runs of my life was on this trail on rainy, 40˚ morning in March, there was no-one else on it on the way out and with less vegetation you could see the falls better. I turned around at Tunnel Falls but there's plenty of more trail if you want it. I don't recommend stopping long in those temps though because you can get cold pretty quickly with just running layers on.

5.0

Laura R

Tunnel Falls

03/17/15

Wouldn't say it's an advanced hike...we did it in four hours with a stop at the river just beyond the tunnel. Everyone from Portland will be here on a sunny day. Not for people afraid of heights!

3.0

John Chau

Tunnel Falls

03/05/15

Awesome place - grab a detailed topo map and find some of the hidden, off-trail falls.. they're totally rad!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike to Mossy Grotto Falls

Note: This trail may be closed. Additionally, getting to Mossy Grotto Falls is a very challenging adventure, especially when conditions are muddy. Before exploring this adventure, consider checking for updates with the Forest Service for the Columbia River Gorge: (541) 308-1700. This newly discovered waterfall has become a favorite for photographers – even so, it has yet to receive an offic...

Ruckel Ridge Loop

This ridge is one of the lesser known paths from the Eagle Creek Trailhead. Instead of taking Ruckel Creek Trail, find the trail leading up Ruckel Ridge. It is a far more difficult hike of about 7 miles leading up to Benson Plateau. Along the way there are beautiful lookout points for Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and the Columbia River Gorge. This is one of my favorite hikes I've ever done, everyth...

Metlako & Punchbowl Falls

Note: The overlook at Metlako Falls is closed. Find out more info here. This is a fairly short hike. 2 miles in to Punchbowl Falls (past Metlako Falls) and then 2 miles out. I’ve done it in all sorts of conditions from 95 degree sunny summer days to a trip in a deep freeze where I got in my wetsuit and shot under/over shots of Punchbowl while snow dumped down on me. To check out Metalko Falls,...

Ruckel Creek Falls

Park at the Eagle Creek Trailhead, and backtrack out towards the highway. Take the path to the right and walk alongside the highway for nearly a half mile. Stop when you are on the bridge and see the Ruckel Creek Trail to your right. If you look left, you will notice a waterfall dropping below you. This is Ruckel Creek Falls, not to be confused with Mossy Grotto, its neighbor up the stream. To ...

Wahtum Lake via Eagle Creek

This is a somewhat incomplete report because we did not venture too far into the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. The sky had been threatening us with rain for the duration of our hike along Eagle Creek and we did not want to push our luck too far since we were hoping for an early start on our drive back to Spokane the next day. We are hoping to return soon to do some more exploring, but thought th...

Wahclella Falls

This is a very short and fairly easy, 1 mile in – 1 mile out, hike with a little bit of elevation gain. I took my time hiking and enjoying the scenery with the intention of this being a photo heavy trip. When I got to the end I spent at least an hour shooting from every angle I saw fit. Once you arrive at the falls though, all you can do for at least a minute is stand in absolute awe at the pow...

Tunnel Falls

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Tunnel Falls Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Hike to Mossy Grotto Falls

Ruckel Ridge Loop

Metlako & Punchbowl Falls

Ruckel Creek Falls

Wahtum Lake via Eagle Creek

Wahclella Falls

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