Updated 06/22/2026

The hikes listed here are my favorites on the Oregon Coast, including trails to secluded beaches, through coastal rainforests, to summits with panoramic views.

A dramatic landscape where the forest and mountains meet the sea, the Oregon coast is lined with beaches, volcanic headlands and sea stacks, and backed by the Coastal Mountain Range. The general public was forever given free access to the entire 363-mile Oregon coastline in the state’s landmark 1967 Beach Bill. And that access is made easier by Highway 101, which runs parallel to the coastline, at times twisting and turning right next to the shore.

The North Coast includes scenic Ecola State Park near the arty community of Cannon Beach and Cape Lookout State Park near the town of Tillamook, famous for it’s cheese and ice cream company of the same name. Some of the largest remaining tracts of old-growth coastal forest are found along the Central Coast’s Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, with plenty of trails to explore them. The Southern Oregon Coast is more remote and isolated, and features the Oregon Dunes near the town of Florence and the some of the coast’s most scenic vistas along the Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor.

Any time of year is good for hiking at the coast, although the trails can be quite muddy in the winter and spring’s rainy seasons.

Hike Difficulty Ratings

• Easy: Up to 6 miles round trip, and up to 1,000 ft. gain
• Moderate: Up to 8 miles round trip, with 1,000-2,000 ft. gain
• Strenuous: Up to 10 miles round trip, with 2,000-3,000 ft. gain

Featured Hikes (north to south)

Hikes featured on this page:

• Fort Stevens State Park
• Tillamook Head – Seaside trailhead
• Tillamook Head – Indian Beach trailhead
• Ecola Point to Indian Beach
• Crescent Beach
• Neahkahnie Mountain – via Short Sand Beach
• Neahkahnie Mountain – via South Trailhead
• Netarts Spit
• Cape Lookout
• Cape Kiwanda
• Harts Cove
• Cooks Ridge – Gwynn Creek loop
• Heceta Head – Hobbit Beach loop
• Oregon Dunes Loop
• Sunset Bay to Cape Arago
• Blacklock Point & Floras Lake Beach
• Harris Beach & Samuel Boardman Corridor

Fort Stevens State Park

distance: 15 miles of multi-use trails in the park
difficulty: easy
best season: all year
trip report: Camping at Fort Stevens State Park & Exploring Oregon’s Wartime History

Fort Stevens State Park has a long history, featuring a military installation dating back to the Civil War, and the remains of Peter Iredale shipwreck from 1906. A good place to hike or ride a bike, this state park has 15 miles of multi-use trails – all accessible from the campground. It also features Coffenbury Lake with picnic tables, a boat ramp, and a 2-mile trail around the lake. Trails from the campground lead through coastal forest to the beach, and to several areas with historical bunkers and buildings from WWII.

Tillamook Head – Seaside trailhead

distance: 8 miles (out and back)
elevation gain: 1,200 ft.
difficulty: moderate
best season: summer, fall
trip report: Tillamook Head backpacking trip

Tillamook Head is significant for several reasons: it was part of the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1806 when they crossed the headland to purchase whale blubber at Cannon Beach. It was also the site of radar equipment in World War II, some of which remains in forest here. And the trail across the headland is part of the Oregon Coast Trail, which travels the length of the coast line in Oregon.

The destination for this hike is the hiker’s camp on Tillamook Head, intended for people thru-hiking the Oregon Coast Trail. Along the way, the trail passes through dense coastal forest filled with sitka spruce and occasional views of the ocean. The trails here are often incredibly muddy, even in the summer months.

Tillamook Head – Indian Beach trailhead

distance: 2.8 miles (out and back)
elevation gain: 800 ft.
difficulty: easy
best season: summer, fall
trip report: Tillamook Head via Indian Beach loop hike

Take this short hike up Tillamook Head from Indian Beach for spectacular views of the ocean, then take a short side trail that passes by an old WWII bunker to a viewpoint of Tillamook Lighthouse. The west section of the Clatsop loop trail is closed due to an active landslide, but you can still hike up the old road section.

Ecola Point to Indian Beach

distance: 4.7 miles (round trip)
elevation gain: 850 ft.
difficulty: easy
best season: summer to fall
trip report: Ecola Point to Indian Beach hike

Starting at Ecola Point, this section of the Oregon Coast Trail leads through lush coastal forest with sweeping ocean views before descending to Indian Beach. While you can drive directly to Indian Beach, the hike from Ecola Point is the more rewarding option. Sections of this trail were rerouted in 2020 after landslides heavily damaged the original route. The new trail is wider and easier to follow, while still retaining several outstanding viewpoints overlooking the beach.

Crescent Beach

distance: 2.4 miles (round trip)
elevation gain: 200 ft.
difficulty: easy
best season: all year
trip report: Crescent Beach hike

Secluded Crescent Beach is one of my favorite locations on the Oregon Coast. Bounded on the north by Ecola Point and on the south by Chapman Point, this pocket beach is only accessible via a 1.2 mile hike starting at Ecola Point. Part of the route is steep, and it’s often muddy, so suitable footwear is recommended. Because high tide covers much of the beach, it’s best to time your visit for lower tides to allow more time to explore.

Neahkahnie Mountain via Short Sand Beach

distance: 8.5 miles (out and back)
elevation gain: 1,650 ft.
difficulty: moderate
best season: all year
trip report: Neahkahnie Mountain hike

On this section of the Oregon Coast Trail, hike to Short Sand Beach, then past crashing waves at Devils Cauldron to sweeping views from the rocky summit of Neahkahnie Mountain. The trail switchbacks up the side of the mountain through thick vegetation before entering coastal forest and continues to a viewpoint overlooking the coastline. From there, a short rocky climb leads to the summit. For a shorter version of the hike (4.5 miles with 1,240 ft gain), start via the Neahkahnie North trailhead located across from a parking area on Highway 101.

Neahkahnie Mountain via South Trailhead

distance: 3 miles (out and back)
elevation gain: 840 ft.
difficulty: moderate – due to short rock scramble section
best season: all year
trip report: Neahkahnie Mountain via South Trailhead

Towering above the coastline, Neahkahnie Mountain offers one of the most breathtaking views on the Oregon Coast. This is the shortest route to the summit via the South Trailhead. The trail is mostly straightforward, with just a couple of more challenging sections: an eroded section of trail tread where footing can be tricky, and a short rocky climb on the final ascent to the summit.

Netarts Spit

distance: 11.2 miles (out and back)
elevation gain: 60 ft.
difficulty: moderate to difficult (due to length & walking on sand)
best season: all year
trip report: Netarts Spit hike

Located along the Oregon Coast’s Three Capes Scenic Loop, Netarts Spit is accessed from Cape Lookout State Park’s day use area. This 6-mile-long narrow stretch of beach separates Netarts Bay from the ocean and offers a unique coastal hiking experience. Since high tide can cut off sections of the beach, it’s best to plan the hike around lower tides.

Cape Lookout hike

distance: 5 miles (roundtrip)
elevation gain: 930 ft.
difficulty: moderate
best season: summer, fall
trip report: Cape Lookout hike

Cape Lookout is a narrow headland that juts westward into the Pacific for over two miles. This hike to the end of the cape is moderate due to the trail condition – full of roots to maneuver and often very muddy – but worth it for the views. There are a couple of sections with steep drop-offs, so take care with pets and children.

Cape Kiwanda

distance: 1-2 miles (roundtrip)
elevation gain: 230 ft.
difficulty: easy
best season: all year
trip report: Cape Kiwanda

Part of the Three Capes Scenic Tour on the Oregon Coast, the sandstone formations at Cape Kiwanda have been sculpted over time by the ocean. A steep climb up the dunes lead to views of this unique landscape. Due to the constantly eroding nature of the sandstone cliffs, safety fences have been erected to protect from the crumbling edges.

Harts Cove hike

distance: 5.4 miles (roundtrip)
elevation gain: 1,100 ft.
difficulty: moderate
best season: this hike is only open from July 16 to December 31
trip report: Harts Cove hike

Note: this road to the trailhead is currently closed due to landslides. This hike can be done via the Knight’s Park or Rainforest trailheads, adding several miles each way. The Harts Cove trail heads 900 feet down through coastal forest to a large, open grassy meadow with views of Harts Cove and Chitwood Falls.

Cooks Ridge/Gwynn Creek loop at Cape Perpetua

distance: 6.3 miles (loop hike)
elevation gain: 1,200 ft.
difficulty: moderate
best season: winter, spring
trip report: Cooks Ridge/Gwynn Creek loop hike

The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area contains some of the best remaining old-growth forest on the Oregon Coast, making it one of my favorite places for hiking among towering ancient trees. Starting near the visitor center, this 6-mile loop combines the Cooks Ridge, Gwynn Creek, and Oregon Coast Trails for a scenic journey through lush forest with views of the ocean at the end.

Heceta Head & Hobbit Trail loop

distance: 6.6 miles (loop hike)
elevation gain: 960 ft.
difficulty: moderate
best season: all year
trip report: Heceta Head & Hobbit Trail loop

This loop hike starts at Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park and follows a coastal forest trail to Heceta Head Lighthouse. After visiting the lighthouse, retrace part of the route before turning onto the Hobbit Trail, a lush tunnel-like path that descends to Hobbit Beach. From there, it’s a 1.5-mile walk along the beach back to the day-use area and trailhead.

Oregon Dunes Loop

distance: 4.8 miles (loop hike)
elevation gain: 195 ft.
difficulty: easy
note: From March 15 to September 15, this area is closed to all hiking on dry sand (and dogs are not allowed) to protect nesting snowy plover habitat
trip report: Oregon Dunes Loop Hike

This loop hike explores the Oregon Dunes, crossing rolling sand dunes, passing through pockets of forested tree islands, and reaching a remote stretch of beach. The route moves through a constantly shifting landscape of wind-shaped dunes, wetlands, and shoreline. For the beach portion, it’s best to plan your hike around lower tides. From the shoreline, the loop continues for about a mile before turning inland through the dunes to return to the trailhead. Because the dunes are always shifting, this section is marked with posts to help guide the way.

Sunset Bay to Cape Arago

distance: up to 10 miles one-way, with many options for loops
difficulty: easy to moderate
best season: all year
trip report: Camping at Sunset Bay & Hiking the Scenic Coastline to Shore Acres and Cape Arago

This hike follows the Oregon Coast Trail from Sunset Bay to Cape Arago, traveling through lush coastal forest. It also passes through Shore Acres State Park, known for its dramatic waves crashing against the rocky shoreline. Numerous viewpoints along the route offer unique perspectives of rocky headlands, hidden coves, and the Cape Arago Lighthouse.

Blacklock Point & Floras Lake Beach

distance: 9 miles
elevation gain: 300 ft
difficulty: easy to moderate
best season: spring, summer
trip report: Blacklock Point & Floras Lake Beach Hike

This loop near Cape Blanco showcases unique coastal scenery, traveling through rugged, often-muddy forest to dramatic headlands at Blacklock Point. The route continues through thick coastal forest to a remote beach below 150-foot cliffs, featuring a rock arch and waterfall. A map is recommended, as it’s easy to get off track on this loop.

Harris Beach & Samuel Boardman Corridor

distance: up to 12 miles one-way, with many options for loops
difficulty: easy to moderate
best season: all year
trip report: Camping at Harris Beach & Exploring the Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor

The Southern Oregon Coast is incredibly rugged and scenic, with sea stacks, offshore islands, and dense coastal forest lining the shoreline. The Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor is the highlight of this stretch, featuring a dramatic mix of cliffs, coves, and headlands unlike anywhere else on the coast. It’s an area well worth spending several days exploring.

Gear Reviews: My goal is to share clear, unbiased information about outdoor gear. I am not sponsored by any gear companies and I don’t accept paid posts or links. I regularly receive products from brands for review, with no expectation of a positive review and no compensation for my opinions. As an independent gear reviewer, I only review items I’ve personally used on multiple trips and that I believe are high-quality and worth recommending.

Affiliate Links: I Heart Pacific Northwest is a participant in affiliate link programs which provide a small commission if a purchase is made through gear links on this site (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for supporting this website!