Abiqua Falls — Local services in Silverton

The Road- The last couple miles to get to the trailhead get pretty rough. Many vehicles parked up the road 2.1 miles before the trailhead. The only vehicles we saw parked at the official trailhead were Toyotas. A high clearance vehicle is needed. The roads get pretty uneven with huge dips. We used 4 wheel drive going back up the road because the roads were very muddy. It was easier going down the road and we had to do a couple tries going up in one spot of the road (because one tire came off the road from the uneven spot). Trail to the falls- This was one of the toughest trails I’ve taken my kids on and we have hiked all over the place. The path was muddy, fallen trees, along the mountain side, along the cliffs, down the steep hills with some ropes and rocks. . . We did apparently take the hard way along the side of the mountain. On the way back my husband walked close to the river and found that much easier. Waterfall- Abiqua Falls was amazing! I’ve been wanting to see this waterfall for a long time & finally witnessed it. This was quite the adventure! I wouldn’t recommend taking small children on this hike like we did. You’ll have to hold their hands and keep your eyes on them at all times. It’s a dangerous hike for many, but if you’re an adventure seeker like we are, do it! The breathtaking waterfall falling out of the rocky ridges is a sight you’ll...

A hike to remember. Long, tedious and on most parts, highly adventurous. Surely not for the faint hearted, it puts a considerable amount of strain on your feet so grab good hiking shoes, and carry water bottles (yes, plural). Also, have some kind of energy drink or soda with you in the car (you’ll need it when you return).

We started off by parking the car (Honda Civic) at the very first parking on the right, just past the nasty gravel road up above, since the road down gets worse for a FWD. However, if conditions are dry, try to park a little further down at the second parking, it’ll make a lot difference when you are returning up hill. If you have a truck or a 4x4, you just need to worry about the insanely steep hike down to the riverbed, but we had to walk close to 4-5 miles just to reach the end of the gravel road. From there, there are 2 routes: hard (steep) and pro hard (death wish). Both give you amazing cliff side views, but please choose the former to save your legs (and your remaining energy).

We went in the evening, and we were the last to descend to the falls, so pretty much had it all to ourselves, but that also meant, we had to be extra cautious about everything since help was nowhere.

Stay safe, and keep this...

Very exciting and challenging path. I may not be the first or last, but I know we are one of the few to get down the mountain with kids. My wife and THREE kids started down the path closest to the gate, however we missed that you should keep left at the split where there is a giant whole in the ground (mini mount saint Helens), we should have crossed over that. Instead we ended up going almost straight down, basically rock climbing. My wife and 15 month old had to turn back. I continued on with a three year old on my back and holding my five year old sons hand. Ropes, roots, carefully placed hands and patience got us down. Near the bottom we rock slid for about a 30 foot stretch. Breath taking! And that was before we even got to the falls. Then another quarter mile upstream to the falls. We met a couple down there with a dog who explained they took an easier path.

So here's the deal, there are three paths, the outer two most are very steep, the center path is longer but slightly less steep. On the way down look for the mini mount saint Helens dip and cross that (bare left), but right. You will see the sign everyone talks about...