Oregon is home to an incredibly diverse amount of flora and fauna. Throughout the fall, keep an eye on the deciduous trees, aspen, bigleaf maple, and western larch for a cornucopia of bursting color. In need of a little more direction to get the most out of your foliage hiking this season? Check out these five breathtaking hikes.
The Cape Horn Loop Hike is a 7.1-mile loop with a 1,350 feet elevation gain and moderate difficulty. Combined with its proximity to the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area and as one of the most beautiful in the state, it is usually quite crowded.
According to www.oregonhikers.org, “Silver Falls State Park is the crown jewel of the Oregon state park system, being both Oregon’s largest State Park (9,000 acres) and boasting one of America’s most impressive waterfall day-hikes.” As such, it’s no surprise that this gorgeous hike is one of the most popular. While the trail is open year-round, it’s best traveled in spring for the blooming foliage, or the fall for the changing colors.
The River Trail is one of Central Oregon’s most popular hikes, especially during the fall. It is considered a “tree-shaded, overnight oasis” for campers. The Deschutes and Columbia Rivers converge along the trail, providing for fantastic opportunities to hike, mountain bike, raft, and fish.
The Dry Creek Falls Hike begins under the Bridge of the Gods and continues along the Pacific Crest Trail before eventually turning into the Dry Creek Falls. Best explored in mid-to-late October, the 75-foot waterfall is surrounded by foliage. The hike is easy and family friendly.
Enjoy the changing fall colors without leaving town. Originally founded in 1928, Hoyt Arboretum now includes 190 ridge-top acres and 12 miles of hiking. Enjoy the 2,300 unique species as you hike through the forest and watch the leaves change as the season turns.
