17 DREAMY Oregon Coast Hikes - Oregon is for Adventure (2024)

Oregon has almost 400 miles of coastline to explore, with dramatic rock formations, old-growth forests, stunning wildlife, and magnificent views. Each of these Oregon coast hikes offers something out of the ordinary.

Some will take you to the top of a mountain and show you miles of ocean as far as you can see.

Others will lead you across cliffs and tide pools to get an up-close experience of the coast. One thing is for sure: these hikes aren’t mundane walks on dirt paths.

They’ll leave you itching for more, and you may just become obsessed with the Oregon coast.

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Oregon Coast Hikes

Our hikes below are ordered from north to south and then our map below will show you exactly where they are so you can plan your trails accordingly.

We also have you sorted for camping along the Oregon coast so you can make the most of your trip and camp at some of the trailheads!

North Oregon Coast Trails

1. Astoria River Walk

• Distance: 4.9 miles
• Type of Trail: Point-to-Point
• Difficulty: Easy

The Astoria River Walk is at the top of the list (and at the top of the state) for Oregon coast hikes. This is the perfect combo of city and wilderness, following the coast through town out to Tongue Point.

The trail follows the waterfront of Astoria, with nice views of the bridges and plenty of places to stop for a bit to eat, a craft beer, or some shopping.

Even after you pass through the downtown area, the trail is a combination of pavement and wooden boardwalk, making it easily accessible to all hikers.

Once you reach the end of your trek, you can hop on the trolley from East Morring Basin and hitch a ride back to the trailhead for a small fee.

RELATED: 27 BEST Things To Do in Astoria

2. Clatsop Loop Trail from Indian Beach

• Distance: 2.9 miles
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 784 feet

Situated in the stunning Ecola State Park between Seaside and Cannon Beach sits the Clatsop Loop Trail. The trail is short, but don’t underestimate the incline—your calves will almost certainly feel the burn!

Luckily, the views along the way are worth the effort. You’ll look out across the ocean as you hike, with great vistas of the Tillamook Head lighthouse in the distance.

The trailhead starts at the information kiosk at the Indian Beach parking area, then climbs up to Hiker’s Camp before looping back around.

RELATED: Your Guide to Ecola State Park on the Oregon Coast

3. Cape Falcon Trail

• Distance: 4.6 miles
• Type of Trail: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Cape Falcon Loop Trail is located in Oregon’s gorgeous Oswald West State Park. The park covers 2,484 acres along 13 miles of the Oregon coast.

It includes two headlands and Short Sand Beach. The beach is popular with surfers and you might be able to spot a few on this Oregon coast hike.

This trail links up with the Oregon Coast Trail to bring you out to the edge of Cape Falcon.

Keep in mind that this trail can be a bit muddy if you use it outside of the warm summer months. However, the views of the ocean scenery are worth making a muddy trek.

READ MORE: Hiking the Cape Falcon Trail on the Oregon Coast

4. Neahkahnie Mountain Trail

• Distance: 3.9 miles
• Type of Trail: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Hard

The Neahkahnie Mountain Trail is also located in Oswald West State Park, just to the south of Cape Falcon. This time, instead of hiking out along a cape, you’ll hike up a mountain.

You’ll notice this spot right away since Highway 101 rises sharply to a lookout point at the edge of the mountain.

Make sure you’ve got some good footwear for this trail. That’s because the trail goes over many exposed root systems and can also get slick and muddy in spots.

Once you get to the top, you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of Manzanita, one of Oregon’s most scenic coastal towns.

RELATED: 19 Must-Visit Oregon Coast State Parks

5. Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area

• Distance: 1.0 miles
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 187 feet

Cape Kiwanda is another piece of scenic Oregon wilderness. This is the smallest cape on the Three Capes Scenic Route, but the area lacks none of the grandeur of the other two capes.

At just one mile in length, this trail may seem like a quick walk in the park. And while it is short, it’s anything but easy.

You’ll basically be climbing up a massive sand dune, which adds another layer of difficulty to the steep climb.

Once you reach the top and turn around, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the cape and the Pacific Ocean from your lofty vantage point.

The trail can be confusing since it’s basically just a giant sand dune, but stick to the left a bit, and it will be a bit easier to climb up!

RELATED: Exploring Cape Kiwanda Near Pacific City, Oregon

6. God’s Thumb via The Knoll

• Distance: 4.4 miles
• Type of Trail: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Medium

You’ll find the trailhead for the God’s Thumb hike at the north end of Lincoln City. At the end of this trail lies a natural basalt formation that looks like a giant thumb.

The first part of the trail is relatively easy. However, towards the end, you’ll climb up some steep slopes and cross a thin ridge to get to the viewpoint.

As you catch your breath at the top, you can take in a panoramic view of the coastline.

READ MORE: Your Guide to the God’s Thumb Hike in Lincoln City

Where to Stay on the North Oregon Coast

Fort Stevens State Park:Located in northwest Oregon in Astoria, Fort Stevens is a converted military space and is now one of the largest Oregon coast campgrounds with 500 spaces.

Nehalem Bay State Park: Nehalem Bay State Park is set on a four-mile sand spit that separates Nehalem Bay from the rugged ocean, making it a pretty unique place to spend a night. The park has over 260 electrical sites, as well as 18 yurts available to rent.

Shepherds Cottage Retreat: This cottage retreat is located on a peaceful farm close to Astoria. It has a fully stocked kitchen, an outdoor patio with a fire pit and grill, and great wildlife watching.

Happy Camp Beachfront Cabin: Located right on the beach at pretty Netarts, the Happy Camp Cabin has epic ocean views from the patio, a spacious light-filled interior, two bedrooms, and a full kitchen.

Adorable Seaside Cottage:This dog-friendly cottage is close to the beach and town in beautiful Cannon Beach. It offers amenities like a gas fireplace and a flat-screen cable TV.

Central Oregon Coast Trails

RELATED: How To Do an Oregon Coast Day Trip From Portland

7. Drift Creek Falls Trail

• Distance: 2.6 miles
• Type of Trail: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Easy

This trail is located about 30 minutes inland from Lincoln City, but it’s worth the extra driving. For one thing, the road up to the trail is beautiful and winds through dense forest.

It is a popular spot, so try to start in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

The trail will take you through the forest up to a sturdy suspension bridge. From the bridge, you get a great view of the Drift Creek Falls as it plunges down 75 feet into a gorge.

Next, you can continue on and come to a lower viewpoint on a switchback. This second spot offers a bench and makes a good picnic location.

The only downside to this Oregon coast hike is that you walk downhill on the way in and have to climb on the way out.

RELATED: 15 Things To Do in Lincoln City

8. Saint Perpetua and Giant Spruce Trail

• Distance: 5 miles
• Type of Trail: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Moderate

Cape Perpetua is a majestic headland that is part of the Siuslaw National Forest. There are quite a few things to explore in Cape Perpetua like Devil’s Churn and Thor’s Well.

Also, you can find many miles of hiking trails in this area. Today, we’ll talk about the Saint Perpetua and Giant Spruce Trail.

On this hike, you can see a variety of wildflowers and local wildlife. In addition to that, you’ll get a great view of the ocean when you get to the top.

It’s a great hike to do in the afternoon since it’s not too long, but you will get a good workout climbing to the top.

Also, it’s more than 500 years old. Going on this hike would provide a great educational experience for young ones.

RELATED: 9 Things to Do in Cape Perpetua

9. Cooks Ridge Trail via Discovery Loop Trail

• Distance: 6.7 miles
• Type of Trail: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Moderate

You’ll climb a good amount during the first couple of miles on this trail. The route gains 1,617 feet and takes you through a beautiful old-growth forest.

Walking through a forest of ancient, towering trees is definitely one of the highlights of this trail. Most of the trail follows Cooks Ridge which opens up for views of the surrounding forested hills on occasion.

Add on the half-mile Captain Cook loop trail to visit the impressive Thor’s Well, a collapsed sea cave that sprays and churns the ocean waves that crash in and out.

READ MORE: Visiting Thor’s Well in Cape Perpetua

10. Heceta Head Lighthouse to Hobbit Beach

• Distance: 3.6miles
• Type of Trail: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Moderate

This relatively short trail will give you lots of bang for your buck, with gorgeous coastal views, moss, and fern-covered spruce forest, an iconic lighthouse, and a beautiful beach.

You start the hike at the Heceta Lighthouse parking area, and there is a short ascent to the lighthouse from there. Continuing past the lighthouse, you will get breathtaking views of the ocean below and the coastline as the trail winds through the coastal spruce forest.

After hiking through this magical forest for a while, you will see a signpost for the Hobbit trailhead which will take you down to secluded Hobbit Beach.

11. Sutton Creek Dunes

• Distance: 4.1 miles
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy

A trip to Oregon’s central coast wouldn’t be complete without exploring the Oregon Dunes. This section of dunes is the largest in North America and it offers plenty of things to do for the adventurous.

At the north end of the dunes, you’ll find a campground and Sutton Creek.

The dunes around the beginning of this hike are very old and covered in vegetation. In other spots, the trail is in the sand and open to the sun.

This easy 4-mile loop is great to do any time of year. Also, it’s good to have a map with you on the trail.

That’s because you’ll go through a campground with a few different turnoffs, and finding the next part of the loop can be a bit confusing.

RELATED: The Best Oregon Coast Towns

12. Bandon Oregon Coast Walk

• Distance: 4.3 miles
• Type of Trail: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 124 feet

Who doesn’t love long walks on the beach? Bandon Beach offers one of the best coastal hikes in Oregon, with hard, compact sand and views for miles and miles.

This trail is quite literally just a walk along the beach, so you can cut it shorter if you want a quicker trek.

But there’s plenty to see and do along this scenic expanse.

Admire the sea stacks, look for seals swimming in the surf, and enjoy the solitude you’ll likely find for long stretches. Make sure you visit during low tide for the best experience.

RELATED: 9 Cool Adventures Around Bandon Beach, Oregon

Where to Stay on the Central Oregon Coast

Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area: Downtown Lincoln City is just a few minutes away from this handy campground. Campers can kayak on the lake, explore the coast and enjoy the East Devil’s Lake Day Use Area.

Whale Watch: This gorgeous seaside cottage in Lincon City has amazing ocean views from the patio, an outdoor grill, and a wood-burning fireplace.

Huckleberry Cottage: This cozy cottage in Florence is surrounded by trees and is close to Heceta Beach. It has a full kitchen, an outdoor deck with a grill, and a quiet backyard with a fire pit.

Fisherman’s Cottage: Located close to the beach in Florence, the Fisherman’s Cottage is a cute tiny cottage that is perfect for two people.

RELATED: 21 Cool Yurts in Oregon for a Memorable Stay

South Oregon Coast Trails

13. Sunset Bay to Cape Arago

• Distance: 8.5
• Type of Trail: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Easy

Located by Coos Bay, this hike is a gem of the Oregon Coast. You get to see three Oregon Coast state parks along the way: Sunset Bay, Shore Acres, and Cape Arago.

Starting at Sunset Bay, the trail takes you along a cliffside forest that opens up to the gardens at Shore Acres. Shore Acres has a few different types of gardens and is a great place to include on an Oregon coast road trip.

Continuing on, you’ll get to two different spots where you can see sea lions. Hiking along 90-foot craggy cliffs also gives you some great views of the ocean, and you might even spot some seals as well.

RELATED: TOP 13 Things To Do in Southern Oregon

14. Floras Lake Waterfall Trail

• Distance: 5.3 miles
• Type of Trail: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Floras Lake Waterfall Trail starts off by taking you around the edge of Floras Lake. This lake also has trout and is a nice spot for fishing.

As you continue on, you’ll walk through a forested area. Next, you’ll come across an overgrown turnoff that leads to the beach.

Follow the shoreline south and you’ll find a rocky area with archways and a gorgeous waterfall.

RELATED: Your Guide to Exploring Floras Lake State Park

15. Humbug Mountain Trail

• Distance: 5.1 miles
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

Here’s another great hike to do for the climb. On this Oregon coast trail, you’ll hike up 1,876 feet to the top of Humbug Mountain.

The first mile is the most difficult part of the climb through the forest. At the top, you’ll get a marvelous view of the area.

In the spring of 2019, the state cleared some trees at the top and opened up the view even more. Now, you can see for miles along the coastline and gaze at the sparkling ocean far below.

READ MORE: Your Guide to Humbug Mountain State Park

16. Redwood Nature Trail

• Distance: 1.1 miles
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy

The Redwood Nature Trail is a short and easy loop trail through a lush grove of old-growth redwoods and some Douglas fir.

The trail climbs gently through the forest with small cascades and moss-covered redwoods, then turning left just before a small bridge.

You pass through Douglas fir and huckleberry and the trail starts to climb again, entering a flat area with small redwoods. The trail then enters the most scenic section, through a ravine with larger redwoods, lush groundcover, and a lovely creek.

The trail crosses over to another ravine and then descends through small redwoods, emerging at a waterfall.

RELATED: A Legendary Oregon Coast Road Trip—35 Stops & 3 Itineraries

17. Natural Bridges Viewpoint Trail

• Distance: .6 miles
• Type of Trail: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 59 feet

You could easily spend a whole day in the Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor exploring some epic Oregon coast hikes, but if you’re short on time, check out the Natural Bridges Viewpoint Trail.

This is the most famous trail in the park, and while it is short, it’s also a little sketchy, which is why it gets a moderate rating instead of easy.

Fear not—as long as you stick to the marked trail and viewpoints, you should be just fine.

The name and popularity of this trail come from the beautiful ocean arches that can be seen along the way. You can technically hike across these arches but do so with extreme caution and correct footwear if you decide to brave it.

RELATED: Hiking the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Where to Stay on the South Oregon Coast

Sunset Bay State Park: Sunset Bay State Park is a beautiful place to camp, with towering cliffs and sandy beaches, and it has sites available by the beach. Choose to stay in a tent, RV, or for something a little fancier, there are a few yurts available to rent.

Harris Beach State Park: Located only a short distance to the beautiful Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, Harris Beach State Park has magnificent ocean views. There are tent sites and full hookup sites available, as well as a few yurts to rent.

Tanbark Shores Guest Suite: This self-contained guest suite is within walking distance to the beach and downtown Brookings, and has a garden, barbecue facilities, a terrace, and free WiFi.

Gold Beach Country Cottage: This adorable cottage has views of the Rogue River and has an open floor plan with vintage beach decor. Enjoy the hot summer days on the patio which has a grill, and a free gourmet breakfast every morning.

Captain’s Quarters:Located on the southern Oregon Coast in Brookings, Captain’s Quarters is a cute cottage with a hot tub. It is conveniently located close to the beach and downtown.

RELATED: 21 Amazing Yurts on the Oregon Coast

One Trail to Rule Them All: Oregon Coast Trail (OCT)

• Distance: 382 miles
• Type of Trail: Long Distance Thru-HIke
• Difficulty: Varies between sections

The Oregon Coast Trail is a long-distance trail route that winds along the entire coast of Oregon. It stretches from the mouth of the Columbia in the north all the way to the border with California.

It’s the ultimate way to experience everything the coastline has to offer.

On this trail, you’ll trek through almost 400 miles of national forests, beachheads, cliffs, and state parks. Also, you’ll walk through a number of beach towns and travel along roadways at times.

At many points along the journey, you get from trailhead to trailhead via open beaches.

If you’re considering taking the whole trip in one go, it’s important to leave at the right time. Summertime (June through September) is the best time to go.

However, temperatures in the wintertime are mild so it’s possible to do the trail year-round. If you have the right gear, a hike during the off-season can reveal some gorgeous drizzly vistas.

Just be aware that you will get wet. This is one of the most epicbackpacking trails in Oregon,and it can take around a month to complete, depending on your pace.

RELATED: 17 Cool Oregon Coast Campgrounds to Stay At

We hope this helped you plan which Oregon coast hikes to tackle! Check out more of our guides on the Oregon Coast.