The thundering Cold Spring Creek plummets off of "a 150' lava cliff near the eastern base of Mount Hood," free falling onto a boulder field below to create Tamanawas Falls, according to OregonHikers.org. This hike is immensely popular, and the trailhead often fills to capacity… but reaching the falls can pose a small challenge.

he Trail of Ten Falls is arguably one of the finest hikes in the Pacific Northwest! This 7.6-mile route visits 10 different waterfalls, "and most of them are flat-out gorgeous," according to OregonHikers.org. OregonHikers also calls Silver Falls State Park, where the hike is located, "the crown jewel of the Oregon State Parks system," in part because it's the largest at 9,000 acres, and in part because it contains this hike.

Multnomah Falls reigns as the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon, soaring to a height of 620 feet. While some waterfalls might seem from their stats to be worth checking out but somehow don't live up to the hype in person, Multnomah is the exact opposite. This stunning waterfall is one of the most picturesque spots in the entire state—and that's saying something!

Wahclella Falls is one of the jaw-dropping waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge, not far from Portland. Though Wahclella is certainly no secret, it’s less well known than nearby cascades like Multnomah or Bridal Veil. That is perhaps because Wahclella requires a longer walk to reach. It’s not a difficult hike, but has some hills, and necessitates sure footing in some places due to the steepness.

Elowah and Upper McCord are two of the several waterfalls you can see on moderate hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. No other hike offers a duo of waterfalls among such diverse scenery as this, however. Along with typically lush forest of towering conifers, on this hike you’ll also find lofty views over the river from cliffside vantage points. Though the hike is not long, it has some steep parts and some drop-offs from the trail.

On a drive through the Columbia Gorge from Portland, Latourell Falls is the first waterfall you pass. It’s within Guy W. Talbot State Park, which is a small park with a picnic area in addition to the waterfall trail. The trail begins as a narrow, paved path going into the forest, and leads to Latourell Falls almost right away. It’s a free-fall plunge through a basalt amphitheater, with walls brilliantly colored by yellow lichen.