Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls

Mia here. Eagle Creek is the Columbia River Gorge trail people remember — partly for Tunnel Falls itself, partly for the cliffside catwalks you take to get there. It's also a trail that's been through a lot since the 2017 fire, and it walks differently now than it did a decade ago.

The trail

From the trailhead the path climbs gently along Eagle Creek's east bank, gaining about 360 m spread across 19.3 km round trip. Don't let that low gain number fool you — the grade is mellow but the exposure is real. Within the first couple of miles the trail narrows to a ledge cut into basalt, with sections where the drop to the creek below is unguarded except for a cable bolted into the wall as a handhold. It's not technical, but it's not a place to be looking at your phone.

You'll pass Metlako Falls viewpoint (the original overlook collapsed years ago; the current view is more distant), then Punchbowl Falls, where a side path drops to the creek. Most day hikers turn around here. Past Punchbowl the canyon tightens and the trail crosses High Bridge, a narrow span over a slot in the rock that's worth a pause.

The payoff is Tunnel Falls — a tall ribbon of water with the trail blasted straight through the cliff behind the curtain. You walk under the falls. It's the kind of feature that doesn't really photograph; you have to stand in it. A short distance beyond is Twister Falls, often called Crossover Falls, which is a worthwhile add before turning back.

When to go

Late spring through early fall is the working window. April and May give you the fullest waterfall flow but the trail is slick and the cliff sections more consequential when wet. June through September is the sweet spot for footing and daylight. Fall color in the gorge is short but good, usually mid to late October.

Avoid winter unless you know what you're doing. Ice on those ledges is not an abstract hazard, and there's no margin for a slip.

Crowds are heavy on any sunny weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Start at first light if you want the lower trail to yourself, or hike midweek.

What to know before you go

• Trailhead and parking: The Eagle Creek lot fills early on weekends. There's overflow parking but expect to walk in. A Northwest Forest Pass or interagency pass is required.
• Fire recovery: Burn scar from the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire is visible the entire way. Standing dead trees still come down, especially in wind. Don't hike here on a windy day. After heavy rain or windstorms, check trail status before driving out.
• Exposure: The cable-handhold sections are the defining feature of this trail. If anyone in your group is uncomfortable with narrow ledges and unguarded drops, this isn't the trail for them. There are no real bypasses.
• Water: The creek is right there for most of the hike, so refilling with a filter is straightforward. Don't drink untreated.
• Dogs: Allowed on leash, but think hard about it. The exposed sections are genuinely dangerous for an excited or unsteady dog.
• Navigation: The main trail is obvious. The risk isn't getting lost, it's stepping wrong.

What to bring

Trail runners or light hikers with grippy soles — the basalt gets polished and slippery, especially around spray zones. Bring more water than you think for a 6-hour day, plus a filter. Layers for the gorge's microclimate; it's often cooler and damper than the forecast suggests, and Tunnel Falls itself will mist you. A dry bag for camera gear, a headlamp if you're starting early or expect a slow return, and basic first-aid. Trekking poles are a personal call — useful on the approach, awkward on the cable sections where you want a free hand.

Variations

• Shorter out-and-back: Turn around at Punchbowl Falls for roughly a half-day outing. You'll skip the most exposed sections and still get a strong sample of the canyon.
• High Bridge turnaround: A middle option that gets you the bridge and most of the dramatic walking without committing to the full distance.
• Longer push: Continue past Tunnel Falls toward Wahtum Lake for a serious day or an overnight. The trail keeps climbing well past where most people stop, and the upper canyon sees a fraction of the foot traffic.