Hiking Twin Falls Trail: What You Need to Know!

Twin Falls Trail is tucked away in the scenic and serene Ollalie State Park outside North Bend, Washington. The park is famous for its cascading waterfalls, and the star of the show here is, without a doubt Twin Falls.

Lush rainforest terrain, old-growth trees, and various viewpoints of the Snoqualmie River along the path all make the Twin Falls hike a popular one. It is also easily achievable for hikers of all skill levels, so don’t be surprised if the trail is busy when you visit.

Table of Contents

Twin Falls Trail
Hiking Twin Falls Trail
- When to Hike Twin Falls Trail
Hikes Near Twin Falls Trail
- Franklin Falls
- Snoqualmie Falls
More Waterfalls Around Washington

Twin Falls Trail

Distance: 2.5 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate

Pass: Discover Pass

The Twin Falls Trailhead is where you’ll start the hike, though you could also choose to begin from the opposite end via the Homestead Valley Trailhead. This article will outline the route starting at the Twin Falls Trailhead, located just off of I-90.

There is a parking lot near the trail’s start, and you should plan on arriving early in the day if you hope to snag a spot. There are pit toilets available near the parking lot of the trailhead.

Hiking Twin Falls Trail

The first part of the Twin Falls hike is relatively flat and offers splendid forest and river views. On hot summer days, it’s not uncommon to see fellow hikers cooling off in the various swimming holes located along the river.

View of falls from the trail on the Twin Falls Hike — View from the trail on the Twin Falls hike

After about half a mile, you will leave the river behind and start ascending through the forest. You’ll encounter a series of switchbacks before catching your first glimpse of Twin Falls. There are a few benches along this section if you need to catch your breath or rest your legs before continuing.

Take your time on this part of the path and keep your eyes peeled for massive old-growth trees. One Douglas fir measures 32 feet at its base and is estimated to be 400 years old!

You will start heading uphill once again before reaching the trail’s 1-mile mark. Then the descent towards the first viewpoint begins. Once you make your way down a set of stairs, you’ll reach the Lower Falls Viewpoint. This area treats hikers to the best views of the Twin Falls as they leap over a 135-foot cliff!

The upper viewpoint on the Twin Falls Trail — Upper Falls on the Twin Falls Trail

From here, the Twin Falls Trail continues for about a quarter of a mile until it reaches the Twin Falls Bridge. The bridge crosses over a narrow gorge and offers exceptional views of the Upper Falls. Many choose the bridge as a turnaround point, but you can reach the Upper Falls Viewpoint with just a bit more effort.

A steep scramble is required to attain this last vantage point, but the views from the Upper Falls are worth the endeavor. Just be careful on your way back down!

When to Hike Twin Falls Trail

There is no wrong time to hike Twin Falls Trail. The summer months are the most common time to hike and therefore the busiest. So, if you’re looking for some solitude along the trail, consider hiking in the spring. Winter is also a good time to traverse Twin Falls Trail, but be sure to check the weather and trail conditions before setting out.

It will also be wetter and muddier during winter and spring so make sure your attire is appropriate.

Hikes Near Twin Falls Trail

For a full day of waterfall chasing near Seattle, check out these other nearby hikes. It’s possible to do all three in one day and would make for an excellent Seattle day trip too.

Franklin Falls

Easy, 2-mile, out and back hike

Franklin Falls is situated in the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. This trail is short and sweet with epic views of the thundering Franklin Falls. To reach Franklin Falls, head east along I-90 for about 17 miles. Note that a Northwest Forest Pass is required for this hike.

Snoqualmie Falls

Easy, 1.5-mile, out and back hike

Snoqualmie Falls is another quick hike. The trail offers stunning views of native flora and fauna and a cascading waterfall. The trail is easy for hikers of all ages, with just one tricky decent at the beginning. The Snoqualmie Falls trailhead is located less than 11 miles from Twin Falls. Head west on I-90 for about 9 miles, then turn onto WA-202.

We hope this post help you plan your hike on the Twin Falls Trail! Don’t forget to check out more Washington hikes and more adventures around Seattle.