Bells Mountain Trail

Great trail the first 2.5 miles are quite beautiful, with moderate inclined, water falls, view and just simply beautiful.
I did it in rain more rain and heavy rain with 35 miles in hour wind at the top. I recommend the trail in late spring when is full of flowers. Go be free.

This is a national recreational trail - intended to preserve and celebrate our nation's pathways. The trail was built by the Chinook Trail Association. We began our one-way hike in the Cold Creek Campground and headed north on the trail with a car at each end (Moulton Falls parking lot). A good early spring hike with light rain throughout the day and patches of snow off the trail at the higher elevations (max 1600' . The trail south to north is 8 miles; 22 wooden bridges, 2 steel bridges, and a turnpike (all in good condition). Easier to go this direction since it is gradual up to the Bells Mountain trail top and then descending is easier. For the most part in mature mixed forests and follows two streams (Cold Creek then over a ridge to another unnamed one). The trail needs maintenance - duff retains water in low areas and berms need knocking down. The trail hinge has mostly disappeared from ( from milepost 3 to 8). Oregon grape, ferns, silal and other encroaching plants constrain the trail width but still passable. Most of the trail drains need cleaning out (the culverts are working well). Fir seedlings have been planted in the clear cut areas and a 15 year growth of Douglas Fir in other areas, with some thinning in older areas of restoration, makes the trail an improvement over previous years. Few realize this trail starts at Hantwick trailhead (2 miles west of the Bells Mtn trailhead) and goes 1.6 miles past Cold Creek park to the Yacolt Burn trailhead on Dole Valley Road. The extension of the Cold Creek to Yacolt Burn trailhead was improved this winter by the Washington Trails Association. A great hike with lots of forest and large trees (my score is 3.5/5.0). I do it each year about this time.

One of my favorite trails! Great scenery and awesome view!

I got a couple miles into this trail before seeing some droppings that made me uncomfortable. I was alone so I decided to turn back to Moulton Falls. The initial ascent is pretty steep but the setting is breathtaking. I will come back to this trail! One of the lushest settings I've been in in a while.

This trail goes on forever, it's very green, can be pretty steep, but has great views after about 2 miles.

I didn't do the entire hike to the top but all and all it was beautiful! I had three dogs with me and was relieved to see that there were a of chances for them to cool off with streams close by. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because of the huge crowds of people at the beginning of the hike by Multon falls but once I hit the Bell Mountain trail I didn't see a soul. It's a beautiful, green hike.

Pretty much straight uphill, great views when you get out of the trees though. Only walked about 2 miles before turning around.

Good workout but scenery was not that great

Great trail for kids and dogs. The trail follows along Graves Creek most of the way with spots to stop and get in the water if needed. We only did about half of the trail starting at the South end.

Nice trail. Not too many people. We really enjoyed the views and the river is beautiful!

Great trail even when wet although there are a few slick areas. We only went about 2 miles up and then went back. Some good views about 1.5 miles up! That's where the logging has happened. Deer, woodpeckers and nobody else while we were there. Going back soon to go longer.

beautiful trail, close to town, and not very busy. easy get away from Portland with any length trail you want. highly recommend it.

Great trail, overall in great condition. A couple of large trees down at the Tarbell end of the trail otherwise pretty much clear. 17 miles out and back. Make sure you have a discover pass for parking!

Great hike today - raining most the time and pretty much had the 16.8 miles to myself!

Loved this trail! Got in 15 miles out n back total. It was well maintained even with the terrible weather this winter.

Ran this from moulton falls to the campground. Loved every step.

We parked at the top of Dole valley road so the scenery for first 3/4 mile kind of blah. But once you are in the thick of the trees it is beautiful!

Tuff and beautiful hike. runs into logging roads that connect with multiple trails from that point. Don't go unprepared like the rookies complaining about not finding the trail and bring some form of map with you. This hike literally is a gateway to multiple-day hikes and other trails, so you can easily get lost if you go unprepared. Great trail to get to Rock Creek, Tarbell, Pyramid Rock, Silverstar Mountain, and other beautiful areas. Not a hike for the inexperienced in my opinion.

8 hours from Moulton Falls parking lot to the crossroads and back plus a 20 minute break at thr falls at the top. My time does include stopping to take in the view at around the 1.5 mile point and photos. In regard to views, not really worth going past that, but I am endurance training. Lots of clear cut = boring and sunny (it was like 90 when I went). The trail is in good shape though; some blackberries starting to creap across the trail but nothing major. At the 2.5 mile mark is a logging road; turn right (down hill) and the trail will continue on your right. The first quarter mile or so is the hardest in regard to incline.

At the bottom it mentions other trails, but there's only one trail I could find. I was kind of a boring hike leading to a dead end. I eventually ended up running the whole way back, because of how steep it was going back.

Such a beautiful view when u get to the top.. Worth the hike!!!

Beautiful scenery. First part of the hike gives you a nice workout since it is mostly uphill, but it is worth it. Look forward to going back to do some backpacking/camping.

when you get to the logging road turn right walk down about 100 yards the trail will be on the left. enjoy the hike

when you get to the logging road turn Right walk down about 100 yards on your left will be a trail continue from there. enjoy the hike

It was a awesome hike today. But ounce you hit the logging road at 2.5 miles where does it connect to the rest of the trail anyone know?

This was a beautiful trail! We decided to bike the trail with our 9 month old though, and that was a BAD Idea. First off the first 2 miles are very steep, there are fallen trees you have to get over and its very bumpy. I would't suggest going with a baby. Later, we hit the logging road and we didn't know where to go at first, in end very worth it but not easy at all, I thinking hiking is a better way of going about this trail.

Very fun hike. The first part was tough but worth every step.

So, the first mile and a half nearly killed me but that's what I get for choosing this steep of an incline for my first hike with a pack. Park in or near the moulton falls lot, follow that trail for a while to get to the trailhead. Also confusing past mile 2.5, wasn't sure which way to go once I hit the wider trail as there are no markings. Loved it though- breathtaking view and I'm sore today.

After hiking around the East end of Multon Falls for an hour, my 9 y/o daughter and I decided to head up the Bells Mtn Trail for the first time. I've hikes/bikes the 2+ mile Moulton trial countless times, but never headed up BM. I had read the first mile was quite the climb, and it was, but not horrible. Being April 1st, there was water everywhere and all of the streams were running full. very cool to take in. We made it to the logging road, over a mile in and over 1570' elev then headed back. Great spring hike to see all the water!