When we finally stepped in front of Bridal Veil Falls, the mist slammed into us like ocean spray. What looked like a modest cascade from a distance turned out to be a massive wall of water up close. It was so high I couldn’t even see where it started.
But getting there was an adventure in itself. The trail wound through a section with overgrown brush, and the turnoff for the falls was easy to miss. For a moment, I wasn’t even sure if we were still on the right path.
And it’s crazy to think that some people skip the waterfall. The hike starts at the same trailhead as Lake Serene, but the trail for Bridal Veil Falls branches off about 1.5 miles in. Most hikers push on to Lake Serene and are too tired to make the side trip on their way down. Big mistake.
We did it the other way around. We came just for Bridal Veil Falls, and we’re glad we did.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know before hiking to Bridal Veil Falls, including how to get there, what to expect on the trail, and tips from our own experience to help you make the most of your hike to this epic waterfall in Washington.
Bridal Veil Falls Complete Hiking Guide
Bridal Veil Falls is a popular day hike located about 90 minutes from Seattle. It’s a 4-mile round-trip hike with roughly 1,000 feet of elevation gain. It’s a moderately challenging trail and gives you a big waterfall payoff without an all-day commitment.
The hike begins gently on a wide, old road lined with mossy trees and ferns. After warming up along the road, you’ll cross a wooden bridge and transition onto a path.
From there, the trail begins a steady, gradual climb alongside a creek.
You’ll pass through new new-growth forest with a thin canopy, meaning lots of light and plenty of brush creeping in along the trail.
After crossing the creekbed again, the trees grow taller, the brush thins out, and the trail becomes more shaded and forested.
That’s where you need to start paying attention. About 1.5 miles in, a small wooden sign marks the cutoff to Bridal Veil Falls. It’s easy to miss, especially if you’re moving fast and focusing on the trail.
Once you’re on the Bridal Veil Falls spur, the trail becomes steeper, rockier, and more rugged as it climbs up the hillside. Wooden staircases and boardwalks have been installed in some sections to help with traction and prevent erosion.
You know you’re close when you hear the rushing sound of the waterfall cutting through the sounds of the forest. This final stretch of the trail is a series of wooden staircases that end right at the base of the upper falls.
There are a few seating areas around the waterfall where you can take a break and eat a snack.
Enjoy the waterfall, but don’t get too close or you’ll get wet! And watch your footing because everything near the falls stays slick.
Bridal Veil Falls Hike Details
- Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is about 4 miles, out-and-back.
- Hike Duration: The hike takes about 3 hours total, including time spent hanging out at the waterfall.
- Hike Difficulty: The Bridal Veil Falls trail difficulty is moderate. The trail starts off gently, but gets more rugged as it gets closer to the falls. The trail can be slippery in some places, especially if it’s been raining. The trail is mostly shaded, but you should bring at least 2 liters of water.
- Hike Incline: The total incline for this hike is about 1000 feet. The trail is uphill almost the entire way, but the incline is gradual. The trail gets a little steeper and rockier as it gets closer to the falls, but overall, the trail is not super steep.
- Dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be on a leash. It is a popular trail, so you will likely run into other hikers with dogs.
- A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead for Bridal Veil Falls.
How to get to Bridal Veil Falls
The trail entrance for Bridal Veil Falls is located off Highway 2 near Index, Washington. It’s called the Lake Serene Trailhead, but it’s also the trailhead for Bridal Veil Falls.
The trailhead has a large parking area and a restroom. But since the hike is extremely popular, the parking area tends to fill up by mid-morning on the weekends. When we visited on a Monday, the parking lot was half-full.
The map location below for the Bridal Veil Falls trailhead is accurate and can be used to navigate there.
Bridal Veil Falls: Our Experience
Our hike started off calmly as we followed an old abandoned road through a forest draped in moss.
The path was wide and easy, perfect for chatting without thinking too hard about where we were stepping. It was a gentle warm-up. I didn’t realize how much I’d appreciate that until later.
The hike shifted after we crossed a small wooden bridge over a creek. That’s where the real trail began.
The trail was narrower, slightly overgrown, and hemmed in by brush. Visibility was limited, but the path gradually opened up as we crossed the creek again.
From there, the trail departed from the creek and began to steadily gain elevation.
Just when I thought I could hear the sound of rushing water in the distance, Chloe caught a glimpse of the waterfall through the trees. That was the first moment that we knew for sure we were heading in the right direction.
The forest deepened, becoming greener as moss reappeared with rocks scattered on the trail.
I started to wonder when we’d hit the Bridal Veil Falls cutoff, and I almost walked right past it. Luckily, Chloe spotted the small wooden sign just in time. I’m glad she saw it, because it was small and hard to spot.
From the junction, the trail to Bridal Veil Falls got steeper and more rugged as it zigzagged through rocky sections. The steepest areas of the trail had wooden steps, but we still took our time going up the hills.
As the trail neared the falls, we crossed a series of wooden boardwalks and steps. The sound of water grew louder with each one. We were close.
Suddenly, the sight of the Bridal Veil Falls poked out through a gap in the trees.
I walked out and emerged from the forest to the sight of the waterfall.
Bridal Veil Falls was much larger than I imagined. A curtain of water tumbled down the cliff face. Wind carried the mist outward, layering me in a sheet of water as I took a step closer.
The base of the falls was a maze of small currents. Some were rushing, some were calm. But the amount of water pouring over the cliff was undeniable, as all the little cascades collected in a rocky basin before continuing downstream.
It was clear that there was a lot more to Bridal Veil Falls than what I could see from standing at its base. So I sent my drone up in the sky for a better view.
What I saw from above was unbelievable. The upper cascade we were in front of was only part of the waterfall. Further downstream was an even bigger waterfall, broader and taller, framed by the face of Mount Index. It made for a rugged scene amongst the mountainous terrain.
We hiked back down the trail, and the roar of the waterfall faded behind us as we made our way across the rocky trail.
Just as we re-entered the mossy forest, Chloe froze mid-step: “Snake!” I think she scared the snake more than it scared her, because I had only a split second to snap a photo of it before it slithered off into the underbrush.
Soon enough, we were back at our car and ready for a cup of coffee for our drive back to Seattle.
Bridal Veil Falls view from Espresso Chalet
Just a bit further up Highway 2 from the Bridal Veil Falls trailhead is a quirky little stop called the Espresso Chalet.
But most people just call it the Bigfoot Cafe. You’ll know why as soon as you pull in.
This place leans into the Bigfoot theme, with statues, signs, carvings, and forest vibes. It’s seriously so Washington and fits the theme of its surroundings.
The cafe itself is a small trailer tucked under a rustic wooden shelter. We enjoyed a macadamia latte out on the chalet’s back porch, enjoying the view of Bridal Veil Falls in the distance, framed by the trees and Mount Index in the distance.
After being sprayed by the waterfall up close, it was cozy and comfortable to see Bridal Veil Falls from afar while enjoying a warm coffee.
Bridal Veil Falls Hike Photos
More Hikes Near Highway 2 in Washington
We’re based in Seattle and have done a ton of hikes all along Highway 2 in Washington. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best trails we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Our Favorite Highway 2 Hike: Lake 22
- Classic Washington multi-waterfall hike: Wallace Falls Hike
- Quick hike to a wooden tower: Heybrook Lookout
- A front-row seat to a massive, misty waterfall: Bridal Veil Falls Hike
- Trail through dense mossy forest to an alpine lake: Heather Lake
- Hike to a steamy hot spring in the forest: Scenic Hot Springs
I hope you enjoyed our hiking guide to Bridal Veil Falls in Washington. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
