The Silver Falls Trail Runs take place on three separate days.
A very scenic 5k trail run that starts and finishes at south falls day use area. The run begins by heading up a short paved road then turns down to a paved path that takes runners to the Maple Ridge Trail. Once here, the course remains flat for a short while before it takes a steep plunge down to the canyon trail. The course turns left on the canyon trail and begins it’s journey under 2 spectacular waterfalls and climbs back up to the top of South Falls. At this point the course turns right and crosses the foot bridge just above South Falls and follows a paved path and grass field right back to the finish. Sorry, no pets or strollers allowed on courses. No aid stations. Elevation gain of 658 ft.
A scenic 7 mile trail run that starts and finishes at South Falls day use area. The run begins by heading up a short paved road to the rim trail, and once here enjoys amazing and scenic trails with some elevation gain and loss. At the end of rim trail the course takes a left down towards North Falls. The next 4+ miles are the most scenic as it follows the famous “Trail of Ten Falls” that passes near and under several spectacular waterfalls all the way back to the top of South Falls. At this point the course turns right and crosses the bridge just above South Falls and makes it’s way back to a final climb up “Nut Cracker Hill” and back down to the finish. Sorry, no aid stations. Strollers and pets not allowed on courses. Elevation gain of 980 ft.
Featured in Runners World magazine and race center magazines and also voted “best oregon trail half marathon” this course is perhaps the most scenic and beautiful on the west coast! The race begins at the popular south falls day use area of Silver Falls State Park that includes a covered pavilion w/fireplace, large tent, several restrooms and ample paved parking. The first 1.1 mile is on a scenic paved road to allow runners to spread out before hitting the trails. Course preview here. Amazing views, huge fir trees, several bridge crossings and lung busting hills make up this picturesque 13.1 mile course that passes under and near several spectacular waterfalls! Popular trails include canyon trail, maple ridge trail and rim trail mixed with portions of paved paths and gravel road. Course will be well marked, have 3 well stocked aid stations and signs at each mile. Sorry, pets are not allowed on courses. Walker friendly course!
The Silver Falls Marathon is challenging, but quite possibly the most amazing and beautiful course on the west coast! Features significant elevation gain with mud, rocks, a creek crossing and lots of hills! Course begins in the south falls day use area and features a total of 6 aid stations. The marathon follows the same scenic course as the half and at the 2 nd aid station (mile 6) splits off and begins it’s own 13+ mile journey in the back country trails of Silver Falls State Park. Huge fir trees, several bridge crossings, lung busting hills, a creek water crossing (mile 9), amazing single track trails and wildlife greet runners in this remote area! After joining back with the half course at aid station #5 (mile 19.1) the marathon now enjoys the stunning and scenic canyon trail with several spectacular waterfalls along the way back to the finish at south falls day use area.
Very scenic and challenging 50K Ultra in the mid Willamette Valley nearby the capital city of Salem! This course may rank as one of the most scenic 50k’s on the west coast! Features significant elevation gain with mud, rocks, a creek crossing (mile 12) and lots of hills! Course begins at the south falls day use area and features a total of 7 aid stations. The 50k follows the same beautiful courses as the half and full and like the full marathon (at the north falls aid station mile 6) splits off from the half course and begins it’s own journey in the back country trails of silver falls state park. Huge fir trees, several bridge crossings, lung busting hills, amazing single track trails and wildlife greet runners in this remote area! After joining back with the half course at aid station #6 (n. falls mile 24.4) the 50 k now enjoys the beautiful and scenic canyon trail running alongside and under several spectacular waterfalls along the way back to the finish at south falls day use area. This amazing course covers almost every major landmark on the 9000 acre Silver Falls State Park (Oregon’s largest state park). Course are well marked with arrows, signs, cones and will have mile markers at all aid stations. Sorry, no pets or walkers allowed on courses.
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Breathtaking Waterfalls!
This race offers breathtaking views, challenging course, and an excellent selection of post-race food. The highlight of the course is getting to run underneath several waterfalls. Nutcracker hill at the … MORE
This race offers breathtaking views, challenging course, and an excellent selection of post-race food. The highlight of the course is getting to run underneath several waterfalls. Nutcracker hill at the end of the race will kick your ass, but then you are rewarded with locally brewed beer at the finish, an essential part of an Oregon race experience.
Waterfalls
This was my slowest race to date, considering the weather, limited areas to pass, mud and snowy conditions, I was pleased with my performance. The race started out after 9am … MORE
This was my slowest race to date, considering the weather, limited areas to pass, mud and snowy conditions, I was pleased with my performance. The race started out after 9am to a steady rain, then turned to snow just after a mile on the course. The rain/snow continued the whole time out on the course, needless to say your shoes were soaked from the get go and shortly after everything else was drenched.
The course ran through some of the campground and some roads for the first three miles and then went through some nice wooded trails that had puddles and mud and more or less single file trail with many of the trees overhanging the trail because of the wet snow and rain that had been going accumulating for a few days before the race. Personally I welcomed the slower parts because everyone had to walk to get through the tree limbs obstructing the trail. Mile 6 was amazing, North Falls, beautiful. Between mile 9 and 10 you encounter two other waterfalls that you run behind, Lower South Falls and South Falls. Not to mention running along the stream and passing other waterfalls along the way with the fall colors aglow and some white mixed in, it was a sight to see. Just as you climb out of the creek bed and up to the Silver Falls parking lot you have one last climb up and down Nutcracker hill to the finish line. With all the wet weather, going down the hill was really challenging because of the steepness and mud that was present. The finish line was a welcome sight but running through the puddles to get there was a challenge in its own right.
Beautiful and unforgettable course
This was the most beautiful and challenging course I've run. There was never a dull part- but don't get too lost in the beauty, this course requires focus for every … MORE
This was the most beautiful and challenging course I’ve run. There was never a dull part- but don’t get too lost in the beauty, this course requires focus for every foot fall (I got distracted on an easy, level part and completely ate sh**). The weather called for light rain (my favorite!) but race day brought freezing rain all morning and then thick snow fall as the race got underway…. found out later from a local that the nearest weather station rarely accurately predicts the park weather. Moral of the story, be prepared for anything and if you’re traveling, pack your whole kit whether you think you’ll need it or not. I was under prepared for the conditions and was lucky not to have had a more serious outcome.
Waterfalls!
Super fun race that is very flat and easy for half of the race. The second half is challenging, and the most scenic part. You will be running up and … MORE
Super fun race that is very flat and easy for half of the race. The second half is challenging, and the most scenic part. You will be running up and down stairs and will have tons of views of waterfalls!
Camping Weekend Fun for runners
I see why this run is in the top 5 trail runs to do. You get to run under waterfalls & thick forests with trails full of leaves. Just when … MORE
I see why this run is in the top 5 trail runs to do. You get to run under waterfalls & thick forests with trails full of leaves. Just when you think it’s over there is a killer hill at the end. You can camp or get a cabin and make a whole weekend of it. The production was great. I was disappointed with the photos, they only got 2 shots the whole time & one was around a corner that could have been an amazing photo with the waterfall in the background but everyone had deer in the headlights look. Maybe give a heads up to look good. Also the medal was the same for everyone no matter what distance you got. There is a big difference between a 5 & 50k. You earned that! Maybe charge a little more and make a cool medal with a waterfall or something. I will for sure do this one again maybe the half next year.