Hiking
All levels of trails and hikes to choose from. Explore the Oregon Coast and experience amazing views.
Cascade Head (No Fees)
| One of the most stunning areas open to hiking is the Cascade Head National Scenic and Research Area. Seasons: Lower Trailhead year round. Upper trailhead is closed Jan 1-Jul 15 Three trailheads access the meadow viewpoints on this huge headland -- a lower Natural Conservancy trailhead that`s open all year and two Forest Service trailheads that close from January to mid-July to protect wildlife. The lower Nature Conservancy Trail is a moderate 4.2-mile hike, gaining 1200 feet of elevation. The upper trail to Cascade Head is an easy 1-mile hike that gains 160 feet, and the trip to Harts Cove is a moderate 5.4-mile hike that loses 900 feet of elevation. |
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| Location: | Lincoln City, Oregon |
Devils Lake State Park
| A one-half mile long, moderately difficult hike on a natural surface heads through wetlands to give hikers a good look at tree and shrub ecology. With downtown Lincoln City mere minutes away, you can glide quietly on the lake in a canoe or kayak. Watch for for wildlife! Coots, loons, ducks, herons, cormorants, bald eagles and grebes all call the lake home. You may also spot deer, elk or raccoon bandits on the shores. As the only Oregon coast campground located in the midst of a city, the lake is a center of summertime activity. | |
| Location: | Lincoln City, Oregon |
| Phone: | 541-994-2002 |
| Toll Free: | 800-551-6949 |
Drift Creek Falls
| It�s a 1.5 mile, moderately difficult hike on a trail surfaced with rock and native materials. Flanked by ferns, alder trees and vine maple, Drift Creek Trail winds through the rain-drenched Siuslaw National Forest. The Drift Creek Trail is amazing until you arrive at something even better and bigger that will take your breath away: a 240-foot long cable suspension bridge! Anchored by cables and ties that are cemented into opposing bluffs, the bridge holds over a hundred fifty thousand pounds, so it�s not going anywhere anytime soon. While the bridge does offer a bit of a bounce, the thirty-inch wide tread is perfectly safe and the bird�s-eye view will leave you spellbound. As does Drift Creek Falls, a 75-foot freefall, whopper of a waterfall that�s located immediately below you. |
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| Location: | Lincoln City, Oregon |
| Phone: | 541-994-4227 |
Neahkahnie Mountain
| There are two routes for scaling Neahkahnie Mountain : The northernmost trailhead starts along Highway 101 and promises a longer, steeper climb, while the southern trailhead offers a shorter ascent but the same breathtaking payoff. Hikers coming from the northern trailhead will start along an exposed meadow before entering a dense forest, with occasional ocean views and seasonal wildflower displays along the way. It�s a moderately steep hike to the top, and a small rock scramble to the summit might unnerve some hikers. But it�s worth the effort: The viewpoint from atop Neahkahnie Mountain offers unencumbered views of Manzanita, roughly eight miles to the south, as well as the Oregon Coast Range and the mouth of the Nehalem River. |
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| Location: | Lincoln City, Oregon |
Cape Falcon
| The Cape Falcon trail, one of numerous hikes throughout Oswald West State Park, takes hikers through an old-growth forest that feels worlds away from the Oregon Coast. In roughly three miles, hikers cross creeks, dodge downed tree trunks, and walk among towering Sitka spruce trees. But the coast is never far away: A junction at the half-mile mark leads to Short Sand Beach, a secluded stretch that�s popular with surfers during the warmer months. Back on the main trail, hikers start a climb through thick forest toward the viewpoint, roughly 200 feet above the sea. Occasional views of Smugglers Cove and Neahkahnie Mountain open up en route to the end of the trail, where hikers have unfettered views of the Pacific Ocean. The hike gains less than 500 feet over about three miles, making it accessible even to casual hikers. But the trail is often muddy and wet for long stretches, so hikers should come equipped with proper footwear. |
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| Location: | Northern Oregon Coast, Oregon |
Ecola State Park
| Nearly 10 miles of trails are available to hikers throughout Ecola State Park , situated between Cannon Beach and Seaside. Even better: None are especially daunting (though most are frequently muddy), and numerous viewpoints at Ecola Point, Indian Point, Indian Beach, and Tillamook Head make frequent breaks an especially inviting option. Hikers wanting to check out the beach can take the trails to Indian Beach and Crescent Beach, while those looking for scenic viewpoints can enjoy the climb over Tillamook Head (which offers views of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse). Backpackers can stay overnight at Hikers� Camp, a small enclave of covered shelters with wooden bunk platforms; the campsite includes a picnic shelter, fire pit, and firewood available for purchase. |
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| Location: | Between Cannon Beach and Seaside |
Saddle Mountain
| On a sunny day, few other hikes in the state can match the views afforded at the Saddle Mountain summit, about 15 miles inland from the northern Oregon Coast. Getting there takes a little work, though. The hike climbs more than 1,600 feet in less than three miles, with dense forests, open meadows, and seasonal wildflower displays along the way. The hike is recommended for more experienced hikers with the proper footwear, thanks to to its steep ascent and occasionally rocky scrambles. Shortly after the two-mile mark, hikers must traverse a small �saddle��losing a few feet of elevation before one final, merciful scramble�en route to the summit. On clear days, the summit offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the mouth of the Columbia River and nearby Astoria, and the stunning Cascade Range. |
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| Location: | Saddle Mountain, Oregon |