Portland: Hole-in-the-Wall Falls Loop
Loop under old-growth firs, by widespread vistas above the Columbia River, and past several photoworthy waterfalls on this exciting 2.1-mile dayhike.
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Mapped by Joe Kurmaskie
Trail Facts
- Distance: 3.0
Waypoints
HWF001
Location: 45.6879501342773, -121.690063476562
From cul-de-sac lot, hop on the paved multiuse trail that parallels highway
HWF002
Location: 45.6874923706055, -121.695007324219
L @ Y near sign labeled Mt. Defiance. Trail turns into thick old growth and climbs switchbacks almost immediately
HWF003
Location: 45.687198638916, -121.69393157959
Caution: Steep trail next half-mile
HWF004
Location: 45.6858177185059, -121.695251464844
Turn R onto Starvation Creek Cutoff. More climbs under oaks, maples, alders—all with a mossy understory. Columbia River on L
HWF005
Location: 45.6850318908691, -121.695281982422
After some short ups and downs, rock-hop over Warren Creek
HWF006
Location: 45.6857490539551, -121.698768615723
First of three awesome vistas above Columbia River. Trail descends
HWF007
Location: 45.6855010986328, -121.704032897949
Back in deep forest. R @ T for Hole-in-the-Wall Trail. Don’t miss: Ahead, turn L for a short spur to Lancaster Falls, a skinny 25-foot cascade. Return to main trail
HWF008
Location: 45.6861839294434, -121.702484130859
Turn L for falls. Campers: Trail to R goes to a primitive campground with ample campsites and fire rings
HWF009
Location: 45.6875, -121.697715759277
Hole-in-the-Wall Falls: This cascade was created by highway workers in 1938 to prevent nearby Warren Creek Falls from flooding the highway. Look closely: The water plummets 100 feet from a blasted hole in the cliff. Continue on loop, past Cabin Creek Falls, back to WPT 2. Return to trailhead