One of the things we love best about hiking the coast of Oregon is that it combines one of the most scenic drives in the United States with equally gorgeous trails. We also prefer Oregon to its neighboring west coast states because the entire coastline is accessible to the general public. Even in highly developed towns with high dollar homes you won’t see “private beach” signs here. This is the People’s Coast, secured by law in 1967 by the Oregon Beach Bill. It is wild, craggy, temperamental and breathtaking.
We’ve divided this post along the three regions of the Oregon Coast. For each region we’ve provided our favorite towns and day hikes along Highway 101. Many of the best hikes are located within state parks that charge a day fee (usually $5) and these day passes are good for multiple parks in one day. You can also purchase an annual pass for $30, so do the math and determine which option is best for your trip.
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Best time to hike the Oregon Coast
We love the Oregon Coast anytime of year because we enjoy cold stormy weather, but if you’re coming to hike the coast then your best months are September and October. If you like warmer weather and don’t mind higher prices and more crowds, hike in the summer months. We’ve hiked here in April and don’t recommend it (too much rain and some trails are closed to protect wildlife).
Tips for Oregon Hiking
- Use the Oregon Hikers site to find the best trails, get updated trail reports and suggestions for alternate routes or car shuttling. All of the trails listed in this post can be found on their site.
- Trails can quickly become damaged due to weather so ALWAYS check for recent trail reports or visit state park sites before heading out.
- It rains a lot here and you will most likely be walking the beach, so hike with boots and pack a rain jacket and beach sandals.
- Dune and beach hikes are much easier to walk shortly after it rains – one reason to love how often it rains here!
- If you’re allergic to stinging insects, don’t hike here in April. The bees are particularly vicious during that time, as we discovered recently when we encountered a swarm in the dunes near Florence.
Where to hike the North Oregon Coast
Start with the historic fishing town of Astoria and work your way south to Pacific City. The north coast region is closest to Portland so these coastal towns cater to big city folks. You’ll find this region to be more touristy than the rest of the coast but that doesn’t detract from the natural beauty or hiking opportunities here.
Best hikes near Astoria
We love Astoria and not just because Goonies is one of our favorite childhood movies. It’s a gritty town with beautiful Victorian homes staggered along steep hillsides. Enjoy some town walking, partaking of Astoria’s cafes and bakeries, then head into the woods for some longer hikes. You’ll find these walks in or nearby Astoria:
- Astoria River Walk is an easy 13 mile rails-to-trails path in town that follows the Columbia River.
- Historic Astoria Loop is a 2 mile walking tour of Astoria’s historic homes and Fort Astoria.
- Fort Stevens Loop is a 10 mile circular hike highlighting all of Fort Stevens State Park.
- Kwis Kwis Loop is a 7.8 mile circular hike that offers forest walks through Lewis and Clark National Historic Park.
Best hikes near Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is too “big city getaway” for our liking but it’s the best location for hiking Ecola State Park which is very much to our liking. In particular we suggest hiking these trails:
- Ecola Point to Indian Beach is a 4.3 mile out and back trail that begins in a forest of ferns and spruce and ends at the Pacific Ocean. As an alternative, begin at Tillamook Head for a longer hike and follow the Oregon Coast Trail.
- Crescent Beach is a 3.6 mile hike from Ecola Trailhead to Chapman Point that offers fewer crowds both on trail and beachside.
Best Hikes near Manzanita
Manzanita offers a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, small town charm and cultural activities that make it a special stop along the Oregon coast. Neahkahnie Mountain, Oswald West State Park and Nehalem Bay are all worth exploring on foot.
- Neahkahnie Mountain from South Trailhead is a 3 mile out and back hike that offers spectacular views of the coastline around Manzanita.
- Nehalem Spit Loop is a 5.2 mile route that circles Nehalem Bay Peninsula, offering walks along the beach, tidal pools and dunes.
- Cape Falcon is a 4.8 mile hike in Oswald West State Park that traverses forest and meadows to reach impressive coastal views.
Best Hikes near Netarts
Netarts is perfectly situated on the Pacific Ocean in the middle of several state parks and natural areas. From here you can drive to hiking trails near Cape Meares, Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda and you’ll find lesser-known trails in state natural areas like Sitka Sedge, Netarts Bay and Clay Myers.
- Cape Meares Lighthouse is an easy 1.7 mile out and back hike that includes the lighthouse and octopus tree.
- Oceanside to Netarts is a 6.4 mile out and back beach hike – make sure to plan around the tides for this one.
- Cape Lookout South is a 3.6 mile out and back and is our preferred alternative to the more popular Cape Lookout peninsula hike (which has some treacherous drops).
- Sitka Sedge Loop is a 4 mile loop that offers a unique view of coastal wetlands, forests, plenty of wildlife and pristine beaches with dunes.
Where to hike the Central Oregon Coast
I’ll confess, the central coast is our favorite region to hike in Oregon. Most of the towns here feel more like small fishing villages rather than coastal resorts and they’re all sandwiched between mountainous forests and rugged coastline which makes for diverse hiking. Bypass Lincoln City and go straight to Gleneden Beach then work your way south to Yachats.
Best Hikes near Gleneden Beach
We don’t normally opt for resort towns but Gleneden Beach is perfect for hiking some of the most popular trails on the central coast. Dining options are plentiful here and the beach is wide and perfect for long beach walks. Best access is via Gleneden Beach State Recreation Site.
- Cascade Head is a 6.6 mile out and back and is one of the most popular coastal hikes in Oregon. This is the lower section beginning from Knights Park Trailhead.
- Harts Cove is a 5.4 mile less-crowded alternative to Cascade Head that offers equally fantastic views.
- Thumb via the Knoll Loop is a 4.8 semi-loop through Siuslaw National Forest near Cascade Head.
- Drift Creek Falls is a 3.2 mile out and back in the interior of Siuslaw National Forest that attracts hikers for its suspension bridge over a waterfall.
Best hikes near Depoe Bay
Depoe Bay is a hiking and whale watching paradise with plenty of well-known hikes as well as hidden gems. It’s a great base for those seeking short hikes. Our favorite walk won’t be found on hiking sites because it follows a road instead of a trail.
- Otter Crest Loop is a 3.6 out and back walk along Otter Crest Loop road (an old section of Highway 101 that hugs the coast and is now a quiet one-way road through mossy forest). Park at Rodea Point, cross Rocky Creek Bridge and continue all the way down to Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint. Locals get their exercise here so you won’t be the only one walking on the road.
- Depoe Bay has a 2.2 mile hike from town that we adore. It takes you to a secluded cove and excellent viewpoints for whale watching. Keep walking north along the Oregon Coast Trail to Boiler Bay Scenic Viewpoint for a slightly longer walk.
- Cape Foulweather is a half-mile hike to a quiet vista point offering excellent ocean views.
- Devil’s Punchbowl is a 1.8 mile hike popular with tourists but for good reason. This collapsed sea cave is marvelous to behold when the water is churning and exploding from its depths.
- Yaquina Head is a 3.4 mile hike to the lighthouse and it’s a must hike for this area.
Best hikes near Yachats
Yachats is our favorite town on the Oregon coast. If we win the lottery we’re moving to this tiny, artsy town with its top-notch bakery and farmer’s market. It also has numerous hiking options north and south so you won’t run out of trails, which is why it’s on our Walking Towns of America.
- Amanda’s Trail is a 7.4 mile out and back hike, beginning in Yachats and following a section of the Oregon Coast Trail up to Cape Perpetua Lookout. We prefer this route to the lookout because it’s less crowded and more scenic but you should definitely explore the other trails from Cape Perpetua Visitor’s Center.
- Ya’Xaik Trail is a 2 mile walk in Yachats that combines the shoreline, forest and a botanic preserve. We want to move here just so we can have this trail for our daily walks!
- Hobbit Trail (1mi) and Heceta Head Trail (3mi) are accessible from the Hobbit Beach Trailhead on Highway 101. Hobbit is perfect for young children and Heceta offers views of the lighthouse.
Where to hike the South Oregon Coast
If you love beaches with massive sand dunes then Oregon’s southern coast is where you want to hike. The farther you drive down the coast away from Portland, the more you’ll notice a difference in residents and tourists. This is the hard-working, hard-playing coastal region so be prepared to have some rugged fun! While we prefer hiking, riding dune buggies and sand boarding are also popular activities here.
Best hikes near Florence
Florence is a perfect base town if you’re coming from Eugene, and if you are then you must stop to hike Sweet Creek Falls which is on the way. It’s about 30 miles from Florence and is one of the local hidden gems, complete with waterfall and a scenic drive along the Siuslaw River.
- Oregon Dunes Loop is a 4.8 mile circular hike from the Oregon Dunes Trailhead that includes Tahkenitch Creek Overlook.
- Tahkenitch Dunes Loop is a 6.4 mile circular hike that offers fewer dunes but is less crowded and includes Threemile Lake.
Best hikes near Coos Bay
You could choose North Bend as a basepoint but we prefer Coos Bay because it has a great boardwalk and we love walking in Mingus Park which has a .5 mile footpath on a lake.
- John Dellenbeck Dunes is a 4 mile out and back hike and is the crowd favorite of all the dune trails. Oregon’s largest dunes are here and they are impressive!
- Cape Arago Loop is a 4 mile circular hike with some steep climbs and excellent coastal views.
- Shore Acres Loop is a 5.7 mile semi-loop with the perfect blend of forest and rocky coast plus views of Cape Arago Lighthouse and a walk through Shore Acres Botanical Garden. It’s longer than Cape Arago but with much easier elevation changes.
Best hikes near Bandon
Bandon is an excellent choice if you want lots of beach walking with fascinating rock formations. The beaches steal the show here but we also love their old town district with its quirky art shops and Victorian buildings.
- Bandon Beach Hike is a 7.4 mile out and back that begins in town at South Jetty Park and takes you south to Devils Kitchen.
- Bullards Beach Hike is a 4.6 mile circular hike to Coquille River Lighthouse which is photo-worthy by itself.
- New River Loop is a 2.7 mile circular walk that begins at New River Nature Center at Storm Ranch (just south of Bandon) and follows a river to Muddy Lake.
Best hikes near Port Orford
Port Orford is a charming fishing community where you can still find fresh seafood markets and watch the boats being pulled out of the water by cables and pulleys. It’s also a great place for hiking with its proximity to several state parks and natural areas.
- Blacklock Point and Lake Floras is a 9.1 mile out and back in Floras State Natural Area, some of which can be very challenging on thick sand so plan for a long day. This off-the-beaten path trail may be a calf stretcher but it is well worth the trouble.
- Port Orford Heads Loop is an easier 1.2 mile circular walk in Port Orford Heads State Park that offers views of Cape Blanco Lighthouse and Nellie’s Cove.
- Hike Hughes House (2mi) and Mouth of Sixes (1.8mi) at Cape Blanco State Park and make sure to walk to the lighthouse before you leave.
- Humbug Mountain Loop is a 5.5 mile circular hike in Humbug Mt State Park. Perfect for those who like to climb and are perfectly ok working for those high viewpoints.
Hikes near Gold Beach
Situated at the mouth of the Rogue River and boasting gorgeous beaches with forests and mountains, it’s easy to understand why Gold Beach is a popular destination for hiking in southern Oregon. Sisters Rock State Park and Otter Point lie to its north and some of the most beautiful coastline in Oregon can be found between Gold Beach and Brookings. While you’re here, make time to drive part of the Rogue-Coquille Scenic Byway and hike any trails along the river that catch your fancy. Better yet, book an inn to inn hiking/kayaking trip on the Rogue River!
- Sisters Rock is a 1.6 mile out and back that highlights the best of Sisters Rock State Park.
- Cape Sebastian to Pistol River is a 10.5 mile out and back coastal hike for those who want a challenge and epic viewpoints. Hike Cape Sebastian Trail for a shorter 3 mile option.
Hikes near Brookings
Close to the California border you’ll find Brookings, whose biggest claim to hiking stardom is the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor. If you hike nothing else on the Oregon coast this has to be it! Choose different trailheads for short easy hikes to various beach viewpoints or hike longer sections along the coastline. These are our personal faves but you can’t pick a bad trail here.
- Secret Beach Trail is a combination of trails from a hidden trailhead located on Hwy 101 between Spruce Island and Natural Bridges viewpoints. Locals will insist that you MUST hike these trails that lie within Samuel Boardman State Scenic Area.
- North Island to Arch Rock is a longer 8.4 mile hike that includes the Secret Beach trails plus other highlights of the Samuel Boardman area.
- Whaleshead Beach to Thomas Creek is a 6.2 mile out and back that includes views of the Thomas Creek bridge and a section of Indian Sands dune trail.
- Harris Beach Loop is a 2.8 mile circular hike in Harris Beach State Park that offers a chance to walk up the 200 ft Harris Butte for fantastic views.
- Chetco Point is a 1 mile walk close to town with beautiful views of Table Rock, Zwagg Island and on a clear day you may see California.
We’ve hiked many trails on this list and you’ll find our personal photos and stories at Planes Terrains and Avocados. Just search “oregon” on the site and you’ll find them all.
