Douglas Falls Trail
At A Glance
2.7 mi one-way
Difficulty Rating: 5.48 
Steepness: Climbs Steeply
Tread Condition: Moderately Rough
Lowest Elevation: 4190 ft
Highest Elevation: 5300 ft
Climb Total: 1290 ft
Blaze Color: White
Trail Number: 162
Hikes That Use This Trail: Douglas Falls (Lower Approach)
Description
From FS 74, the trail begins as an easy, 0.5 mile route to its spectacular eponymous waterfall - a great family hike. There are a few tricky sections (including one where a fallen tree has exposed some slick bedrock), but overall the route is in fairly good shape. The trail passes through a virgin forest, including a former hemlock grove containing (formerly) very large trees, before coming out on the stream below the falls. It's possible to cross the stream and walk into the grotto behind the falls for a neat view out into the forest. This is the Douglas Falls - Lower Approach Hike.
Most people stop at the falls, but if you're continuing up to the Mountains to Sea Trail, look for where the trail veers left up a set of rock steps just before reaching the falls. From there, it meanders uphill to a large boulder sitting below the cliff band, overlooking the falls. It then continues uphill along the cliff band, wraps around the end of that, and continues its climb in the stream valley above the falls. The trail passes through the Craggy Wilderness Study Area and the environment from here up to the Mountains to Sea Trail is remote and pristine, though the trail is blazed.
You'll wrap into the next cove south and pass The Cascades, another high waterfall that's difficult to see in the summer and during low water flow. The trail moves into rich, old-growth northern hardwood forests blanketed in mosses and ferns as it climbs including some enormous old hemlocks (which, sadly, are all now dead). The trail climbs through a series of switchbacks as it nears the terminus at the Mountains to Sea Trail.
Turning right (south) on the Mountains to Sea Trail leads to the Parkway and the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center. Those wishing to access to the falls on a much more difficult, rugged, and steep hike than from the lower parking area can start at the visitor center, hike down to the falls, and back out again for a round-trip of about 7 miles. This is the Douglas Falls - Upper Approach Hike.
Intersecting Trails
This trail is located in the Big Ivy (Coleman Boundary) area. For a list of all the trails in that area, see the Big Ivy (Coleman Boundary) trails list page.
All Photos from the Trail
GPS Map
Map Information
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About the Map
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Trail Segments
Trails are often made up of several connecting paths which may have different characteristics, allowed uses, and seasons. This trail is divided into multiple segments as follows:
Falls to Mountains to Sea Trail
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 2.17 mi
Lower Parking Area to Falls
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.53 mi
Total Calculated Length: 2.7 mi
This value is derived from our underlying map data, and it may not match officially published information.
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Robert Singleton said: I have been to the lower falls several times, but was unable to find the trail that leads up to the Mountain-to-Sea trail. I would appreciate any directions.