Grab your winter coat and lace up your hiking boots. Winter in Oregon offers so many amazing hikes that are especially beautiful under snow and ice. From magical frozen waterfalls to leisurely forest boardwalks, here are eight of the best winter hikes in Oregon:

1. Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop Hike

This amazing hike in the Columbia River Gorge is open year-round, with occasional snowfall in winter. The five-mile loop trail will lead you past the amazing Multnomah Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Fairy Falls, Weisendanger Falls, Ecola Falls, and Dutchman Falls. These icy waterfalls are all spectacularly beautiful in the middle of winter. (Plus, you'll get to skip the summer crowds.)

Here's a photo of Weisendanger Falls, located along the Multnomah-Wakheena Loop.

2. Wildwood Recreation Site

Located along the Salmon River in the Mount Hood National Forest, the Wildwood Recreation Site is a lovely hidden gem woven with beautiful trails and boardwalks that are magical in the wintertime.

3. Wildwood Trail

This lovely winter hike in Oregon winds through the beautiful Forest Park in Portland. It's a wonderful way to escape into the beauty of nature without even leaving the city! Bring your hiking boots - the trail can get muddy.

4. Cape Lookout

This underrated Oregon park is located on the coast of Tillamook County. A stunning five-mile, out-and-back trail leads through a lush old growth forest to the tip of the cape, where you will find gorgeous views of the coastline and beyond. The trail can be muddy, so again, sturdy hiking boots are recommended.

5. Tumalo Falls

Rimmed with frosty white snow, the beautiful Tumalo Falls is a fantastic spot to visit in the wintertime. Located near Bend, you'll find two great viewpoints right next to the parking area, but you can also hike along the creek on a 5 mile out-and-back trail.

6. Elowah Falls

Elowah Falls is a stunning waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge that is positively enchanting in the winter. A 1.5-mile, out-and-back trail leads to this huge hidden waterfall, which becomes surrounded by glittering ice and snow in the middle of the winter. The trail gets quite muddy and slippery, so be cautious and wear sturdy shoes. The ice around the waterfall is also very slippery, but the sight is oh-so-spectacular.

7. Mirror Lake

Located in the Mt. Hood National Forest, the hike to Mirror Lake is beautiful any time of year. In the summer, the popular three-mile hike often draws crowds, but in winter, it becomes a snowshoeing paradise. The summer trailhead is often blocked by snow in the thick of winter, but you can park at Skibowl for a longer snowshoe hike to this jaw-dropping lake (which reflects the peak of Mt. Hood on clear days).

8. Trail of Ten Falls

Silver Falls State Park is a beautiful natural area located near Silverton. It's full of amazing waterfalls and trails, including the legendary Trail of Ten Falls, which leads through mossy forests, dramatic canyons, and past numerous amazing waterfalls. This stunning trek can be done as a loop or in shorter sections, and really is some of the best winter hiking in Oregon.

Be sure to come properly prepared for these Oregon winter hikes with warm clothes, sturdy shoes, and snow chains for your tires (if necessary). The trails can be quite slippery when muddy or icy, especially when you get close to a waterfall. But these are the best winter hikes in Oregon, and are totally worth the effort... and cold!

For more ways to get some fresh air on the trail, check out our list of wonderful hikes in Oregon.