A hike up Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls, Oregon.
This is one of the most scenic hikes in Oregon and is also the most popular hike in the Columbia River Gorge. It doesn’t take long to figure out why. Due to its proximity to Portland and the abundant scenery you probably will not be alone on this hike. This hike leads from the Eagle Creek parking area up to the 150 foot Tunnel Falls and back. A $5.00 per vehicle fee is required at the self pay station or a yearly pass must be displayed.
Distance: 12 Miles Round Trip
Elevation Gain: 1200 ft
Caution: Much of the trail has many steep drop offs without rails.
Trailhead Parking: N45 38.270 W121 55.226
View Eagle Creek in a larger map
![Eagle Creek near start Eagle Creek near start](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8511-Eagle-Creek-near-start..jpg?resize=450%2C600)
Not far from the Eagle Creek Trailhead, the forest is already deep and thick.
![8612 Feeder Stream Streams feed Eagle Creek along the entire hike, keeping the forest alive with gurgling pools and cascades.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8612-Feeder-Stream.jpg?resize=450%2C600)
Streams feed Eagle Creek along the entire hike, keeping the forest alive with gurgling pools and cascades.
![8637 Hikers on talus slope Hikers making thier way through a talus field.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8637-Hikers-on-talus-slope.jpg?resize=600%2C450)
Hikers making thier way through a talus field.
![8676 Just before High Bridge A couple hikers getting ready to cross High Bridge, which crosses 150ft above the creek at a narrow gorge cut. The bridge is visible in the background.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8676-Just-before-High-Bridge.jpg?resize=463%2C600)
A couple hikers getting ready to cross High Bridge, which crosses 150ft above the creek at a narrow gorge cut. The bridge is visible in the background.
![8681 Loowit Falls Loowit Falls drops about 90 feet into Eagle Creek.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8681-Loowit-Falls.jpg?resize=600%2C450)
Loowit Falls drops about 90 feet into Eagle Creek.
![8709 Just past High Bridge The trail rounding a turn just past High Bridge.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8709-Just-past-High-Bridge.jpg?resize=600%2C450)
The trail rounding a turn just past High Bridge.
![8715 Lush northwest forest Beautiful hiking through old growth forest south of High Bridge.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8715-Lush-northwest-forest.jpg?resize=600%2C450)
Beautiful hiking through old growth forest south of High Bridge.
![8751 Hidden Falls A "hidden" waterfall awaits exploration near one of the feeder streams.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8751-Hidden-Falls.jpg?resize=450%2C600)
A “hidden” waterfall awaits exploration near one of the feeder streams.
![8790 Tunnel Falls The amazing Tunnel Falls.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8790-Tunnel-Falls.jpg?resize=450%2C600)
The amazing Tunnel Falls. The Tunnel behind the falls and much of the trail were blasted through the basalt rock around 1910.
![8791Tunnel falls Another view of Tunnel Falls.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8791Tunnel-falls.jpg?resize=306%2C600)
Another view of Tunnel Falls.
![8799 Trail by Tunnel Falls Narrow trail by Tunnel Falls. Careful footing is a must!](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8799-Trail-by-Tunnel-Falls.jpg?resize=600%2C450)
Narrow trail by Tunnel Falls. Careful footing is a must!
![8856 Heading back view south A few breaks of blue sky blended nicely with the scenery.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8856-Heading-back-view-south.jpg?resize=600%2C450)
A few breaks of blue sky blended nicely with the scenery.
![8882 New growth of douglas fir An area of younger douglas fir in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness area.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8882-New-growth-of-douglas-fir.jpg?resize=600%2C450)
An area of younger douglas fir in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness area. This was due to a 1902 forest fire that burned a portion of the older forest.
![8919 Basalt and moss A bridge crossing near some basalt and moss.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8919-Basalt-and-moss.jpg?resize=450%2C600)
A bridge crossing near some basalt and moss.
![8958 View north from High Bridge The view north from High Bridge. 150 feet above the creek.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8958-View-north-from-High-Bridge.jpg?resize=450%2C600)
The view north from High Bridge. 150 feet above the creek.
![9026 Evening sky Almost back to the car, watching the colors in the evening sky.](https://i0.wp.com/www.hikerweb.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/9026-Evening-sky.jpg?resize=600%2C450)
Almost back to the car, watching the colors in the evening sky.