20 Best Hikes on the Oregon Coast

In this article, we’ve rounded up 20 of the best hikes on the Oregon Coast. The Oregon coast is well-known as one of the most beautiful natural environments in the United States. With its miles of dramatic seaside cliffs, massive basalt sea stacks, unique rock formations, hidden coves, sandy beaches, and lush forests, it’s truly one of the most unique landscapes we’ve seen in all of our travels. The best way to experience the coast’s natural beauty is to hit the trails, so we’ll help you sort through all the incredible Oregon Coast hikes.

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Hiking on the Oregon Coast

Given the natural beauty of the area, one of the best ways to enjoy the Oregon coast is by exploring the seemingly endless hiking trails.

Walk through verdant forests where bright green ferns pop out of the ground and beaked moss clings to Sitka Spruces. Hike along trails high above the massive seaside cliffs, where the vertigo-inducing views of the churning power of the Pacific Ocean will leave you breathless. 

Wander through the forest until you reach hidden beaches, tucked away in rocky coves, with huge sea stacks dominating the shoreline. The best hikes on the Oregon coast provide a unique and magical experience, where an unforgettable site is always just around the corner. 

Our experience on the Oregon Coast

We lived on the Oregon coast for two months and explored all the way from Astoria in the northern corner to Brookings all the way down south. As avid hikers, we tried to hit the trails as much as possible and have compiled this list of what we think are the best hikes on the Oregon coast. 

Keep on reading to learn more about some of our favorite seaside trails in the Beaver State!

More to do in Oregon

Where to stay on the Oregon coast

The Oregon coast is dotted with cute seaside towns, providing plenty of options to rest your head between hikes. In fact, we’ve written an entire article about the best towns on the Oregon coast here! 

But, if we really had to say, our favorite towns on the Oregon coast are probably Cannon Beach in the northern part of the state, Yachats in the central area, and Bandon in the south.

Where to Stay in Cannon Beach

where to stay in yachats

where to stay in bandon

When is the best time to hike on the Oregon Coast?

Weather on the Oregon coast is moderate all year round, meaning that you can hike any time of year. That being said, the weather is notoriously fickle, rainy, and damp. 

In the winter, you can expect highs in the mid 50’s (F) and lows in the mid 30’s (F). In the summer, daytime temps can reach the mid 70’s on a warm day but are usually in the mid 60’s.

Be prepared for rain at any time, even if the forecast calls for clear skies. Trust us, you never know when the dark clouds are going to roll in!

20 Best hikes on the Oregon coast

With all of that background information out of the way, let’s get into the fun part – the best hikes on the Oregon coast!

• Indian Beach Trail
• Hug Point Trail
• Tunnel Beach
• Short Beach Trail
• Cape Lookout Trail
• Cape Kiwanda Loop
• God’s Thumb and the Knoll
• Devil’s Punchbowl
• Hobbit Beach
• Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail
• Cape Cove & Captain Cook Loop
• Saint Perpetua Trail
• Siltcoos Lake Trail
• Sunset Bay to Cape Arago
• Sisters Rock
• Humbug Mountain Loop
• Cape Sebastian Trail
• Secret Beach
• Indian Sands Trail
• Oregon Coast Trail

Map of the Best oregon coast hikes

The map below displays the location of all the trailheads for the Oregon Coast hikes we’ll cover in this article.

• To view more details about each location, click on the marker on the map.
• To save this map for future use, click the star next to the title. From your phone, open the Google Maps app and click the “saved” tab, followed by the “Maps” icon. From your Gmail account, navigate to Maps –> “Saved” –> “My Maps” –> “Maps” tab.
• To email this map to yourself, click the three dots in the upper right corner.

1. Indian Beach Trail

• Distance | 3.8 miles
• Elevation gain | 843
• Difficulty | Moderate
• Closest town | Cannon Beach

Find this hike on AllTrails: Indian Beach via Ecola State Park

You’ll know the hike to Indian Beach will be amazing as soon as you reach the trailhead. Located in Ecola State Park, the Indian Beach Trail departs from Ecola Point. Before you start the hike, be sure to check out the short loop to Ecola Point Viewpoint, which offers stunning views looking south down the coast all the way to Haystack Rock. 

The Indian Beach Trail climbs up along a ridge with beautiful views overlooking Ecola Point and Sea Lion Rock, an assortment of sea stacks off the coast. The trail then meanders through a lush green forest before opening up to views of the Tillamook Lighthouse and Indian Beach. Follow the trail all the way down to Indian Beach, where you can spend some time relaxing or exploring the beach. 

Note that it is possible to drive to Indian Beach, but we think the views from above make the hike worthwhile. If you have two cars, you could do the hike point to point and cut the total distance in half.

2. Hug Point Trail

• Distance | 0.7 mile
• Elevation gain | 83 feet
• Difficulty | Easy
• Closest town | Cannon Beach

Find this hike on AllTrails: Hug Point Trail 

Hug Point Trail is a unique beach hike with a variety of cool sights to see, including a waterfall, sea stacks, and caves carved out of the massive cliff walls. 

The trail hugs the shoreline around Hug Point, a rocky outcropping that juts out into the sea. In order to make it all the way around Hug Point, you will want to plan your visit at low tide. When the tide is high, it’s not possible to get around Hug Point. 

At low tide, you’ll also find many tide pools around the edge of Hug Point, where you can see anemones, little crabs, star fish (if you’re lucky!) and other small sea creatures. Please remember to tread lightly when exploring these areas to avoid disrupting the fragile tide pool environment. 

The hike around Hug Point is just 0.7 miles in total, but you can extend the hike by continuing in either direction along the beach. To the south of Hug Point are some pretty sea stacks and forested cliffs. 

3. Tunnel Beach

• Distance | 0.5 miles 
• Elevation gain | Mostly flat
• Difficulty | Easy
• Closest town | Oceanside

Tunnel Beach is accessed through a man-made tunnel that cuts through the base of Maxwell Point, a large basalt cliff off the coast near Oceanside, Oregon. Adventuring to this hidden beach is one of the best short hikes on the Oregon Coast!

When the tide is high, the only way to reach this secluded strip of rocky beach is through the tunnel, constructed in 1926. Spanning 90 feet from end to end, the tunnel is slightly claustrophobic. You’ll definitely want to have the flashlight on your phone available, as the ground is dark and uneven. 

But as you pass through to Tunnel Beach, you’ll feel like you’ve entered another world, where sea stacks dominate the coastline and tide pools are teeming with all sorts of aquatic life. Tunnel Beach features the best views of Three Arches Rock Nature Preserve just offshore. 

To access Tunnel Beach, you can park in the parking lot for Oceanside Beach. You’ll see Maxwell Point towering over the beach and the tunnel at its base just a few hundred feet away. Round trip it’s about half a mile to get to the end of the tunnel, but there are plenty of incredible sea stacks and tide pools to explore along the beach, so budget a little extra mileage. 

Tip | If the tunnel makes you claustrophobic, you can walk around Maxwell Point when the tide is low. Remember, however, that if the tide comes in while you are on Tunnel Beach, you will need to return through the tunnel.

4. Short Beach

• Distance | 1.4 miles (including the beach)
• Elevation gain | Approximately 100 feet
• Difficulty | Easy
• Closest town | Oceanside

Nestled between Oceanside to the south and Cape Meares to the north, Short Beach is a half-mile stretch of coastal paradise, with two waterfalls (one man-made), sea stacks, tide pools, and plenty of sea life. The quiet, secluded beach on the northern Oregon Coast is accessible only via a short hike that leads through a dense coastal forest.

What keeps Short Beach somewhat off the beaten path is that you have to hike a short distance to get there – you can’t actually see the beach from the road. The trailhead is just a few minutes from Tunnel Beach, making it worth a quick visit.

5. Cape Lookout TRail

• Distance | 4.7 miles
• Elevation gain | 800 feet
• Difficulty | Moderate
• Closest town | Pacific City 

Find this hike on AllTrails: Cape Lookout Trail

The Cape Lookout Trail traverses out and back along the narrow peninsula known as Cape Lookout, one of three capes that make up the 4.7-mile on the northern Oregon coast. This 4.7 mile hike features incredible views looking down the Oregon Coast from a unique perspective. 

If you’re driving the Three Capes Scenic Loop, the Cape Lookout Trail is the perfect way to break up the drive and stretch your legs. 

6. Cape Kiwanda Loop

• Distance | 1 mile
• Elevation gain | 190 feet
• Difficulty | Moderate
• Closest town | Pacific City 

Find this hike on AllTrails: Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area

Just south of Cape Lookout on the Three Capes Scenic Loop sits Cape Kiwanda. What makes Cape Kiwanda so unique is the massive sand dune, known as the “Great Dune” that sits at the base of the cape.

You can hike the Great Dune via a 1-mile round trip hike that begins in Pacific City. Afterwards, stroll along the beach or grab a beer at Pelican Brewery.

7. God’s Thumb via the Knoll

• Distance | 4.3 miles
• Elevation gain | 1100 feet
• Difficulty | Moderate
• Closest town | Lincoln City 

Find this hike on AllTrails: God’s Thumb via the Knoll

The God’s Thumb hike is a moderately difficult, 4.3-mile trail just north of Lincoln City, along the Oregon Coast. 

God’s Thumb is a small outcropping that jets out into the ocean, shaped vaguely like a thumb.

To reach God’s Thumb, the trail first leads down towards the ridge before climbing up very steeply, giving the entire formation a uniquely “thumb-like” appearance, hence the name “God’s Thumb.”

Not only does the hike culminate at the top of a narrow outcropping high above the water (aka God’s Thumb), but it also crosses through “the Knoll”, a grassy hill overlooking Lincoln City and Wecoma Beach with sweeping views from the ocean to the mountains. 

With unimpeded 360-degree views of sea stacks, dramatic cliffs, and the Pacific Ocean, God’s Thumb is easily one of the best hikes on the entire Oregon coast! 

8. Devil’s Punchbowl

• Distance | 1 mile
• Elevation gain | Mostly flat
• Difficulty | Easy
• Closest town | Depoe Bay

A massive hole in the sandstone cliffs with several arches carved by relentless ocean waves, Devil’s Punchbowl is one of the most unique geological formations on the Oregon Coast. There are two ways to experience Devil’s Punchbowl: 

1. A birds-eye view looking down into the massive cave
2. A short trail that leads you down to the beach and into Devil’s Punchbowl

We think that both views are worth seeing, but the real adventure is hiking into Devil’s Punchbowl. It’s worth noting that if you enter “Devils Punchbowl” into your GPS, it’ll take you to the viewpoint that overlooks the unique formation. 

From there, you can’t directly get inside Devil’s Punchbowl. You’ll need to take a short trail located here that leads down to Otter Crest Beach. Head south along the beach until you arrive upon a huge arch that provides entrance to Devil’s Punchbowl. 

Inside, the cliff walls are covered in a vibrant orange hue that made us feel, if just for a second, that we were back in the red sandy desert of southern Utah. 

Tip | Devil’s Punchbowl is only accessible at low tide. At high tide, the entire cave is engulfed in turbulent waves that crash through the arches on either side. Entering the massive cave when the tide is rising can be extremely dangerous, so be sure to time your visit accordingly.

9. Hobbit Beach

• Distance | 1 mile
• Elevation gain | 225 feet
• Difficulty | Easy
• Closest Town | Florence

We love the Hobbit Trail because you get a little taste of two of Oregon’s most prominent landscapes: lush green forests and rocky shorelines! This 1-mile round trip hike winds downhill through an enchanted mossy forest before emerging at the secluded Hobbit Beach.

Tucked away on the northern side of Heceta Head, Hobbit Beach is the epitome of what makes the Oregon Coast so special: quiet sandy beaches, towering cliff sides, and vibrant forests. And while the ultimate destination is Hobbit Beach, the journey through the forest on the Hobbit Trail is equally as magical. 

Conveniently located off Highway 101 on the Oregon coast, the Hobbit Trail is the perfect road trip stop to stretch your legs and experience a beautiful section of the coast. If you’re staying in the small towns of Florence or Yachats, Oregon, the Hobbit Trail trailhead is located within a 20-minute drive. 

10. Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

• Distance | 1 – 3.5 miles
• Elevation gain |  130 – 1000 feet
• Difficulty | Easy to moderate
• Closest town | Florence

Find this hike on AllTrails | Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail to Hobbit Beach

The Heceta Head Lighthouse is an iconic landmark on the Oregon Coast. There is a stunning view right off Highway 101 to the south of the lighthouse that you don’t want to miss! However, to get up close to Heceta Head Lighthouse, you’ll have to hike a short ways. 

The hike is about 1 mile round trip with 130 feet of elevation gain, and you have the option to go inside the lighthouse. It’s also possible to extend the hike by continuing on a trail that leads along the edge of Heceta Head.

There’s an amazing view looking down over the lighthouse and out at the foggy coastline below. From there, it’s a steep climb meandering through a beautiful dense forest. You can also connect the trail with the Hobbit Trail (mentioned above), for an even longer hike.

11. Cape Cove & Captain Cook Loop

• Distance |  1.6 miles
• Elevation gain | 240 feet
• Difficulty | Easy
• Closest town | Yachats

Find this hike on AllTrails: Devil’s Churn, Trail of the Restless Way, Captain Cook Loop

This 1.6-mile loop hike near Yachats takes you to three iconic Oregon Coast viewpoints: Thor’s Well, the Spouting Horn and Devil’s Churn. It combines two main trails: The Captain Cook Loop and the trail of the Restless Way.

This loop starts from the trailhead for Devil’s Churn, a narrow rocky inlet on the Oregon Coast, where crashing waves produce an audible echo and create a swirling cauldron of foamy water! From Devil’s Churn, you’ll hike along the Trail of the Restless Way which leads along the coast before meeting up with the Captain Cook Trail to Thor’s Well. 

As frightening as it is beautiful, Thor’s Well is a giant hole in the volcanic rock that lines the Oregon Coast where water bulges out and then seems to disappear underground. This area of the coast is particularly turbulent, and churning swirls of salty white water bubble in and out of the seemingly bottomless pit. 

Another notable geological feature is a blowhole known as the Spouting Horn, which resembles that of a geyser in Yellowstone when it “erupts”.  When the waves crash just right, water rushes through the hole creating a spray of salty water that shoots straight up into the air.

12. Saint Perpetua Trail

• Distance | 2.7 miles
• Elevation gain | 820 feet
• Difficulty | Moderate
• Closest town | Yachats

Find this hike on AllTrails: Saint Perpetua Trail

The Saint Perpetua Trail is a short but steep quad-burner that ends with sweeping views of Cape Perpetua far below. Located just south of Yachats, the Saint Perpetua Trail is easily one of the best hikes on the Oregon coast. 

Starting at the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center, the trail follows a series of steep switchbacks up the side of the mountain to the north, climbing 820 feet in just over 1 mile! But those who are willing to suffer through the steep trail will be rewarded with some of the best views anywhere on the Oregon coast, with unimpeded views of the rocky shores of Cape Perpetua, the Spouting Horn, and Thor’s Well below. 

There aren’t many places that give you a real bird’s eye view along the Oregon coast, but the Saint Perpetua trail is certainly one of them. 

Note | Be warned that you can drive all the way to the top of the mountain, so it tends to get busy and, if you’re like us, it might annoy you that people are able to just hop out of their cars to see the same view you worked your butt off to see! But, the amazing views are worth the minor inconvenience and you definitely don’t want to miss the Saint Perpetua Trail along the Oregon coast.

13. Siltcoos Lake Trail

• Distance | 3.5 miles
• Elevation gain | 630 feet
• Difficulty | Moderate
• Closest town | Florence

Find this hike on AllTrails: Siltcoos Lake Trail

Located in Siuslaw National Forest, Siltcoos Lake Trail is one of the best forest hikes on the Oregon Coast. Don’t expect any big views on this hike, but the vibrant green forest is beautiful in its own right and certainly makes it worthwhile. There are a couple really nice campsites down by the lake, which would make for a low-key backpacking trip. 

In fact, Siltcoos Lake is never really visible from the main trail. To see Siltcoos Lake, you actually have to take a short spur trail that leads down to the campsites. 

This 3.5 miles loop is moderately difficult with 630 feet of elevation gain, and is also great for trail running.

14. Sunset Bay to Cape Arago

• Distance | 8.5 miles
• Elevation gain | 700 feet
• Difficulty | Moderate
• Closest town | Coos Bay

Find this hike on AllTrails: Sunset Park to Cape Arago Trail

The 8.5 mile Sunset Bay to Cape Arago trail near Coos Bay leads along the coastline and connects 3 amazing state parks: Sunset Bay State Park, Shore Acres State Park, and Cape Arago. And while it’s possible to drive between the parks, this trail allows you to escape the crowds and see even more of the coast than is possible by driving. 

This section of the Oregon Coast is unlike any other, with bright blue tide pools and layers of jagged cliffs that look like they could sink into the ocean at any time.  

In addition to spanning 3 different state parks, this hike includes several of the area’s coolest landmarks, including the sea lions at Simpson Reef, the Cape Arago Lighthouse viewpoint, Simpson Beach, Sunset Beach, and the Shore Acres Botanical Garden. 

We did this hike as a trail run one Saturday morning, and we have to say, it was the best way to explore the area. If you are looking to get a little exercise, the Sunset Bay to Cape Arago Trail is one of the best hikes on the Oregon Coast.

Extend the hike | It’s also possible to start this hike from Bastendorf Beach. We started from Sunset Bay so we can’t say much about the trail between the two. But if you’re looking for an even longer hike, starting from Bastendorf adds about a mile round trip.

Shorten the hike | If you don’t want to hike the entire distance between Sunset Bay and Cape Arago, we’d recommend starting from Shore Acres State Park and hiking along the coast towards Sunset Bay as far as you wish. 

15. Sisters Rock 

• Distance | 1 mile
• Elevation gain | 200 feet
• Difficulty | Easy
• Closest town | Gold Beach

Find this hike on AllTrails: Sisters Rock

One of our most memorable experiences along the Oregon coast was at Sisters Rock State Park, just north of Gold Beach. 

Let me set the stage. It was Sunday morning and we were on our way home after a jam-packed two days road tripping along the Oregon coast down to Redwoods National Park in Northern California.

The weather had been cold and dreary the entire time, we were tired, and after living in Oregon for two months, as bad as it sounds, we had kinda gotten over the rocky cliffs and sea stacks. We were ready to be home with Fitzgerald, on the couch, cold beer in hand. 

But, we decided to make one last stop at Sisters Rock State Park. We pulled over into the tiny, unmarked parking lot, just off Highway 101 and realized there was absolutely no one else there. 

Sensing a bit of solitude (yay!), our hopes increased. We then followed a tight, rarely-trodden trail through some shrubs, bushes, and dense grass until the views opened up in front of us…huge fields of lupines in full bloom and two massive sea stacks, perfectly symmetrical rising high above the ocean.

And best of all, we had the place entirely to ourselves. It ended up being one of our favorite hikes on the Oregon Coast!

The entire hike to Sisters Rock is about 1 mile round trip with about 200 feet of elevation gain. On a nice day, it’s certainly worth packing a towel and lunch and spending a couple hours hanging out on one of the two beaches. 

16. Humbug Mountain Loop

• Distance | 5.6 miles
• Elevation gain | 1750 feet
• Difficulty | Hard
• Closest town | Port Orford

Find this hike on AllTrails: Humbug Mountain Loop Trail

Oregon Coast hikes with a significant amount of elevation gain are a bit hard to come by, so if you’re looking for a challenge, check out Humbug Mountain. Rising to an elevation of 1,765 feet, Humbug Mountain is the tallest mountain directly on the Oregon Coast.

The summit features incredible views looking down the Oregon Coast, and is well worth the heart-pumping hike to get there!

17. Cape Sebastian Trail

• Distance | 3.3 miles
• Elevation gain | 800 feet
• Difficulty | Moderate
• Closest town | Gold Beach

Find this hike on AllTrails: Cape Sebastian Trail

Located just 10 minutes south of Gold Beach, Cape Sebastian Trail is easily one of best hikes on the Oregon Coast. This 3.3 mile round trip hike winds and switch-backs its way down to a beautiful sandy beach at Hunter’s Cove, with beautiful coastline views and abundant wildflowers (during the spring and summer) along the way. 

Once you get down to the beach, you can continue walking along the ocean until you reach Meyer’s Creek Beach, a really popular and scenic spot near Gold Beach. Walking all the way to the end of Meyer’s Creek Beach adds about 3 miles round trip to the hike. 

Most of the hike is fairly straightforward, but there is a little obstacle at the end that makes Cape Sebastian Trail even more exciting! To reach the beach at Hunter’s Cove, you will scramble down a super steep section with the help of a rope. It may sound a little sketchy, but as someone with a fear of heights, it really wasn’t too bad! 

The trail starts out downhill until you reach the beach, and the hike back up to the trailhead climbs nearly 800 feet and will certainly get your heart pumping. 

18. Secret Beach

• Distance | 1.6 miles
• Elevation gain | 375
• Difficulty | Easy
• Closest town | Brookings

Find this hike on AllTrails: Secret Beach Trail

There are plenty of beautiful beaches with massive basalt towers throughout the Oregon coast. So what makes Secret Beach so special?

Well, this little slice of heaven is hidden away between two large cliffs, where sea stacks dot the teal blue waters along the coastline. And unlike most beaches on the Oregon Coast, it can only be reached by hiking a short distance through the forest, making it slightly off the beaten path of most road trippers.

This secluded beach is particularly beautiful, a picture perfect representation of the natural beauty that makes this section of southern Oregon in Samuel Boardman State Park so special. 

Secret Beach is accessible only via a short hike. There are two different trails that you can take to get there. The most direct route is a short half-mile round trip hike. The route we’ve linked above is slightly longer, totaling 1.6 miles, but is worthwhile includes a few beautiful viewpoints along the way. 

19. Indian Sands Trail

• Distance | 1.1 miles
• Elevation gain | 280 feet
• Difficulty | Moderate
• Closest town | Brookings

Find this hike on AllTrails: Indian Sands Trail

For such a short hike, the Indian Sands Trail in Samuel Boardman State Park packs a lot of punch, with stunning coastal views and a section of lovely sand dunes perched overlooking the ocean. During the spring and early summer, this hike is particularly beautiful thanks to the abundance of wildflowers in the area!

The trail is not very well marked and can be difficult to follow, so we’d highly recommend downloading the AllTrails Map to help you find your way. Although it’s a short hike, there are a couple obstacles that make it a little more challenging, including walking through thick sand and a super steep climb back up to the trailhead (if hiking counter-clockwise).  

Important tip | Do not attempt to hike this trail if it’s really windy out! We made this mistake and walking across the sand dune section was incredibly painful. Unfortunately, heavy winds are quite common on the Oregon Coast, so be sure to check the weather and shoot for the calmest day you can find. 

20. Oregon Coast Trail

• Distance | 362 miles 
• Difficulty | Hard

The ultimate Oregon Coast hike, the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) stretches for 362 miles, the entire length of the Oregon Coast from California to Washington. 

We have not thru-hiked the Oregon Coast Trail ourselves, although we have hiked many sections of it and can only imagine it’s an incredible adventure! You can find more information about planning an Oregon Coast Trail thru hike on Oregon State Parks.

Oregon Coast Hikes Superlatives

Still can’t decide which of these Oregon Coast hikes are best for you?! Let us make it easier for you with a few superlatives:

• Most stunning views | God’s Thumb
• Most fun hike | Cape Sebastian Trail
• Most challenging | Humbug Mountain
• Most unique | Devil’s Punchbowl
• Best secluded beach | Secret Beach Trail
• Best hike for solitude | Sisters Rock State Park

Other Oregon Resources

Looking for more incredible hikes and things to do on the Oregon Coast? Check out some of these resources to help you plan your trip.

• The Hobbit Trail in Oregon: Hike to a Secluded Beach
• How to Visit Secret Beach: An Off-the-Beaten Path Hike in Oregon
• 20 Best Things to do in Coos Bay, Oregon
• Complete Guide to Oregon’s Sunset Bay State Park
• How to See the Spouting Horn in Cook’s Chasm
• How to Visit Thor’s Well: A Mysterious Ocean Cauldron
• Why You Need to Visit Silver Falls State Park in Oregon
• Why Oceanside is Worth a Visit: Hidden Gem on the Oregon Coast

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