Trail Stats
Trail: Eagle Creek Trail to Tunnel Falls
Location: Eagle Creek Trail
Distance: ~12 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~1,600 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Type: Out & back
Best Season: Spring through Fall
There’s something about a first hike that just sticks with you—and my first trek out to Tunnel Falls was one of those days I wish I could bottle up forever.
I hit the trail with Kim in peak fall, when the air had that crisp bite and everything smelled like wet leaves and moss. From the very start, this trail felt alive. The kind of alive that makes you forget everything else and just be.
Not long in, we started seeing signs of recent landslides—fresh dirt, scattered rocks, that quiet reminder that this landscape is always shifting. But at the time, nothing blocked the trail, and honestly, it added a little edge of excitement. Like… okay nature, we see you.
The trail itself? Absolutely iconic. Narrow in spots, carved into cliffs, with steel cables lining sections that keep things spicy. And those waterfalls—one after another like nature showing off.
By the time we made it to Tunnel Falls, we were already on a high from the hike. But walking behind a waterfall? Unreal. The roar of the water, the mist in the air, the way the light hits just right—it felt like stepping into another world.
Of course, we spent way too long there taking photos and being our absolute ridiculous selves. Laughing, posing, probably annoying anyone trying to have a peaceful moment… but zero regrets. Those are the moments that make a hike unforgettable.
Trail History
The Eagle Creek Trail has a long and rugged history that adds to its magic. Originally constructed in the early 1900s, the trail was part of a push to make the natural beauty of the Columbia River Gorge more accessible to visitors.
Tunnel Falls itself was blasted through solid basalt in 1910—yes, blasted—to create that iconic tunnel behind the waterfall. It’s one of the few places where you can actually walk behind a major waterfall without needing technical gear.
The trail has also seen its share of hardship. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire caused significant damage to the area, closing the trail for years. Restoration efforts have been ongoing, and hiking it now comes with a deeper appreciation for both the resilience of nature and the work it takes to maintain these wild spaces.
And as we saw firsthand, landslides and erosion are still very much part of this trail’s story—just another reminder that this place is raw, real, and constantly changing.
Final Thoughts
This hike had everything—waterfalls, cliffside drama, a little bit of risk, and a whole lot of laughter. It was the perfect mix of adventure and chaos, especially sharing it with someone who’s just as down to be goofy in the middle of a trail.
Eagle Creek isn’t just a hike—it’s an experience. One that sticks with you long after your boots are off and your legs stop hurting.
And for a first time? Yeah… it set the bar pretty high.
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