Cliff Nature Trail,
Oregon Caves National Monument
There are two trailheads for the Cliff Nature Trail — one trailhead is located at the visitor center. The second trailhead is accessed via the parking lot behind the Chateau. Both trails ultimately connect after a short distance. The Cliff Nature Trail is the most popular trail within the park. A visit to the Chateau is a must — the rustic hotel was built during 1934 and has a restaurant, a 1930's style coffee shop and a gift shop.
Elevation
The Cliff Nature Trail has a maximum elevation of 4,335 ft., a minimum elevation of 4,153 ft. and an elevation range of 182 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 0.5 mi | 4,153 ft | 4,335 ft | 182 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 14 min | 10.7 | 128 ft | 155 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 15 min | 12.9 | 155 ft | 128 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Cliff Nature Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Holland, OR
- North Topo Map: Kerby Peak, OR
- Northeast Topo Map: Williams, OR
- West Topo Map: Takilma, OR
- Topo Map: Oregon Caves, OR
- East Topo Map: Grayback Mountain, OR
- Southwest Topo Map: Polar Bear Mountain, CA
- South Topo Map: Deadman Point, OR
- Southeast Topo Map: Figurehead Mountain, CA
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Cliff Nature Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Cliff Nature Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.5 miles (0.8 km) or 1,075 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Cliff Nature Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 14 minutes in one direction and in 15 minutes in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) may be present in this area. The Rocky Mountain wood tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, and Tularemia.
- The Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) may be present in this area. The Western blacklegged tick transmits Anaplasmosis and Lyme Disease.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.