All this easy access to the great outdoors makes Portland a perfect destination for hikers of all levels. Enjoy urban walks and hiking trails in forested parks and lush gardens scattered throughout the city, or take a short drive to explore alpine lake hikes near Mount Hood, and waterfall trails in the Columbia River Gorge. Here are the best waterfall hikes near Portland, chosen for the number of falls, the beauty of the falls, and hike coolness. Everything is within two hours of the city and is accessible year-round unless I mention a season. So here are my 15 favorite waterfall hikes near Portland within a 1-ish hour drive, plus the best waterfalls for easy hikes or accessible hikes, and the best waterfall hikes for an extra challenge. 12 top-rated waterfalls within a day's drive of Portland — real drive times, quality ratings, and budget estimates. Free to browse. The best waterfalls near Portland, Oregon line the Columbia River Gorge, where Latourell, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena, Multnomah and Horsetail falls sit along a single 1920s highway about 30 to 40 minutes east of downtown. A local's guide to the best waterfalls near Portland, Oregon. From 30-minute drives to half-day adventures, these falls are worth every mile of the trip. Good news: within an hour or two of downtown Portland, there are dozens of equally stunning waterfalls where you might have the trail almost to yourself. Here are nine hidden waterfalls near Portland that locals love — and exactly how to find them. In this post, I’ll highlight a few of the most impressive waterfalls on the Oregon side, which are all within a 40-minute drive from Portland. These waterfalls are perfect for those short on time as you can easily walk up to most of them, with none requiring more than a mile of walking. Wondering which waterfalls near Portland to explore? Luckily, there is no shortage of waterfalls nearby! Here are the best. There are many stunning waterfalls near Portland, from Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge to Willamette Falls, Silver Falls and more.