Beautiful falls view near the end of the trail.
Stunning Nature and Hiking just Outside Portland, OR.
Ask anyone what they love about living in Portland, Oregon, and you will likely get a response that discusses Portland’s proximity to oceans, forests, waterfalls, mountains, etc. So many people will haul out this explanation that you may begin to suspect it is a canned response that is prepared and practiced as soon as one moves here. It is not.
One of the best examples of Portland’s proximity to awe-inspiring nature is the Latourell Falls loop hike. Travel time from Portland to the trailhead is under 30 minutes. The hike itself is just over 2 miles. And it is spectacular. Along the loop, you will hike past two thunderous falls – the lower falls, which you see practically at the trailhead, and the upper falls, which you will hike so close to your shoes will get muddy and wet and awesome. The trail winds through heavily wooded hillside, though it is not impossibly steep. I am a light to moderate hiker, and I have no problem with this trail.
Pack a lunch or snack if you like. The trail loops through George W. Joseph State Park, where you will find picnic tables and facilities just across the street from the trailhead. This short hike provides the perfect reminder of how amazing and beautiful and immense nature is. Every time I visit I think, “I cannot believe I am lucky enough to live here.”
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