Fairy Falls — Attraction in Washougal

The goal was to avoid the tourist hordes at Multnomah falls so we decided to take the quick but steep hike to Fairy Falls. The trails are very well marked and there are frequent maps at every junction. It was there that I could see there was a loop over to Multnomah. Early in the hike we ran into a couple who was coming from Multnomah and based on their timing to that point we decided to go for the whole 5.5 mile loop.

It it ended up being one of the best hikes of my life. There's never a time where you're not in gentle forest and hearing the soothing sound of rushing water. You are constantly inspiring vistas of the Columbia River gorge and several lesser seen waterfalls along the way.

Fairy Falls itself was totally worth it, to do a there and back hike but continuing on we gained an elevation of 1600 feet and saw several more waterfalls. The end of the hike was seeing Multnomah from the top down first and then as we waked down experiencing it from the ground when you REALLY appreciate where you just hiked from. Truly beautiful from start to finish.

Surprising little amount of bugs and being in shade a lot of the times + having cooling waterfalls was very helpful. My advice is in the hot months (August 29, 2022 and 90+ degrees when we did the hike) bring lots of water and pace yourself going up the steep switchbacks. The latter half of the hike will be all downhill. You will feel very accomplished standing at the bottom of Multnomah and you'll have concession stands waiting for you!

Good luck and be...

Like finding Narnia… 🤩

Hiked up the Wahkeena Falls Trail to Fairy Falls, and then looped via trails 420 and 419 back to Fairy Falls. It was an epic, eerie, rainy day hike in late October. The whole train was awesome but that look was our favorite part; roughly 5.2 miles of hiking in total.

Trails was paved for the first mile or so and a well maintained path thereafter. Rated moderate, it was a very gradual climb and wasn’t too challenging. The way down was a bit slippery with one quick stream crossing above Fairy Falls on trail 419.

We loved the change of scenery during a low visibility day - foggy Gorge, cascading waterfalls, stream crossings, epic forest full of Fall colors that turned into an enchanting wonderland when we got to trails #420 & 419. We aren’t sure if those were Ponderosa Pines or Douglas Firs but those tall, lean trees in the fog took our breath away.

Dog friendly, on leash. Please pick up after your pets. No restrooms/toilets, mug you can go to Multnomah falls nearby. Parking was nightmarish on a Saturday afternoon but we waited by the lot and scored a spot...

Gorgeous hike up to Fairy Falls, with some wonderful scenic views and getting to follow along and cross over the streams. Be warned that it is not a flat hike up to he falls, many switchbacks and climbing, but overall great, even with smaller children. I will also warn that my anxiety level was raised as there is quite a bit of exposure (steep angles) at the edge of the switchbacks and walking out to the Lemmons Viewpoint. The trails are plenty wide enough though to traverse easily and pass others going the...