9 Best Hikes Near Florence, Oregon

Hiking in Florence, Oregon features a diverse assortment of landscapes, like enchanted green forests, massive seaside cliffs, sandy beaches and dunes, rocky shorelines, and turbulent ocean waves. We spent two months living in Florence, Oregon, and spent a lot of time hiking the local trails so we’re excited to share our adventures from this scenic coastal town. In this article, we’ve rounded up 9 of the best hikes near Florence, Oregon to help you plan your visit!

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hiking near Florence, Oregon

Florence, Oregon is situated along the banks of the Siuslaw River. To the south lies the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. In fact, the edge of the massive sand dunes can actually be seen from town! To the north lies a stunning stretch of sheer coastal cliffs, hidden sandy beaches, and rocky coastline up to the small town of Yachats.

Geographically, Florence is the midpoint between Astoria and Brookings, making it the perfect home base if you want to explore the coast in either direction. However, with so many great hikes near Florence, you don’t need to go far to experience some of the Oregon coast’s most remarkable landscapes.

Our experience Hiking in Florence, Oregon

We spent two months living in Florence on the Oregon coast, which allowed us to explore the area more deeply. 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 near Florence.

We also did quite a bit of trail running in the area, so we’ll be sure to point out hikes that make great running trails.

We got into a really nice routine of heading out for a hike early in the morning and following it up with a tasty seafood lunch in the afternoon. To that end, we highly recommend the fish and chips at Luna Sea Fish House in Yachats and the crab chowder at Novelli’s Seafood in the Florence harbor to refuel after a great hike.

Keep on reading to learn more about some of our favorite seaside hikes within about 30 minutes of Florence, Oregon.

More to do in Oregon

where to stay in florence

Florence is home to a quaint Old Town, with plenty of cute restaurants, shops, and bars. It’s one of the most picturesque downtowns of all the Oregon Coast towns. Here are a few nice places to stay right in town.

When is the best time to hike in Florence, Oregon?

Weather on the Oregon coast is moderate all year round, meaning that you can hike any time of year. That being said, the weather in Florence, Oregon 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 when hiking in Florence, even if the forecast calls for clear skies. Trust us, you never know when the dark clouds are going to roll in!

9 Best hikes Near florence, ORegon

Without further ado, let’s get into detail about the best hit hikes near Florence, Oregon!

• Hobbit Beach
• China Creek Trail
• Heceta Head Lighthouse
• Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail to Hobbit Beach
• Cape Cove & Captain Cook Loop
• Saint Perpetua Trail
• Amanda’s Trail
• Siltcoos Lake Trail
• John Dellenback Dunes Trail
• Bonus | Sunset Bay to Cape Arago

Map of the Best Hikes near Florence, Oregon

The map below displays the location of all the trailheads and key landmarks for hikes near Florence, Oregon that 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. Hobbit Beach

• Distance | 1 mile
• Elevation gain | 225 feet
• Difficulty | Easy

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. 

2. China Creek Loop/Valley Trail

• Distance | 3.3 miles
• Elevation gain | 275 feet
• Difficulty | Easy

Find this hike on AllTrails: China Creek Loop Trail

The China Creek Trail (sometimes also called the Valley Trail or Washburn Valley Trail) is a nice easy hike through a really beautiful section of forest on the Oregon Coast. Here you’ll find towering Sitka Spruces, moss dripping from tree limbs, thick layers of ferns and babbling creeks.

Don’t expect any coastal views on this hike, but the peace and quiet of the rainforest make it an excellent trail. The China Creek Trail offers a similar atmosphere to the section of the Hobbit Trail leading through the forest, but with significantly fewer crowds. It’s also fairly flat and wide, making it great for trail running.

The trail departs from the Washburn State Park Day Use parking area off Highway 101. To reach the China Creek Trail, you’ll take a short trail from the parking area that quickly crosses the highway. The trail meanders for about 1.5 miles until it intersects the highway again at the parking area for the Hobbit Trail.

Tip | You can combine the Creek Creek/Washburn Valley Trail with the Hobbit Trail for a 4-mile roundtrip loop. From Hobbit Beach, walk north along the shore for about a mile before taking a trail that connects to the Washburne State Park Day Use parking area. It’s a great extension to the Hobbit Trail because it allows you to see more of the beach and explore a less busy section of the forest. 

3. Heceta Head Lighthouse

• Distance | 3.6 miles
• Elevation gain |  1000 feet
• Difficulty | Moderate

Find this hike on AllTrails | Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

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. Although it’s short, it’s definitely one of the best hikes near Florence, Oregon. When you arrive at the lighthouse, you have the option to go inside or enjoy the beautiful coastal views from the tip of Heceta Head.

It’s also possible to extend the hike by continuing on a trail that leads along the edge of Heceta Head (see below for details).

4. Heceta Head Lighthouse TRail to Hobbit Beach

• Distance | 3.5 miles
• Elevation gain |  1000 feet
• Difficulty | Moderate

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

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.

5. 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 about 30 minutes from Florence 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.

6. 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 near Florence accessible in just 30 minutes.

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.

7. Amanda’s trail

• Distance | 5.9 miles
• Elevation gain | 1450 feet
• Difficulty | Moderate

Find this hike on AllTrails: Amanda’s Trail

A great hike for history lovers and forest enthusiasts, what the 6-mile Amanda’s Trail lacks in views it makes up for with its moody rainforest vibes and unique historical significance.

In 1964, the government ordered the military to round up “runaway” Coos Indians who had fled abuse and starvation on the Coast Reservation. Amanda De Cuys was a blind Coos woman who had fled the reservation and was living with a white man.

She was torn apart from her daughter, Julia, during the round up. Not much information is known about the life of Amanda, but she remains a symbol of the atrocities surrounding the forced removal of Oregon coast natives to Indian Reservations.

Although the trail itself does not feature many sweeping vistas (aside from a few peeks through the trees), it departs from (or ends at) the Cape Perpetua Lookout parking area which is one of the area’s most stunning viewpoints. It’s a great way to get in a little exercise but be warned that it is possible to drive right up to the best view on the trail.

Tip | For an event longer hike, combine Amanda’s Trail with the Saint Perpetua hike, totaling about 8.5 miles round trip.

8. 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 near Florence, Oregon. 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.

9. john dellenback dunes trail

• Distance |5.5 miles
• Elevation gain | 300 feet
• Difficulty | Moderate

Find this hike on AllTrails: John Dellenback Trail

Just to the south of Florence lies the sprawling Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, where you’ll find massive sand dunes, lovely beach access points, grassy hills and fields of wildflowers in the spring.

There are many hikes in the Oregon Dunes, but one of the best is certainly the John Dellenback Trail. The hike is 5.5 miles roundtrip and leads through the sand dunes all the way to the beach. Be warned that the trail isn’t very well marked, especially through the sprawling dunes, so we’d recommend downloading the AllTrails map for offline use. 

The John Dellenback Trail is located about 40 minutes from Florence. Other great hikes in the Oregon Dunes that are a little closer to Florence include the Oregon Dunes Loop or Tahkenitch Dunes Trail.

Tip | You can also easily access the dunes and several awesome beach access points on the South Jetty, just across the Siuslaw River from Florence. 

Bonus | Sunset Bay to Cape Arago Trail

• 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

This one doesn’t make our main list of hikes near Florence, Oregon because it’s a little further away. However, if you have more time in the area, the Sunset Bay to Cape Arago Trail is definitely worth the drive. It’s about 1 hour from Florence to the trailhead, and you can stop at the Oregon Dunes or grab a tasty bite in Coos Bay along the way.

The 8.5 mile Sunset Bay to Cape Arago trail 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.  

We did the Sunset Bay to Cape Arago hike as a trail run, and the conditions were great for running (although all the little viewpoints along the way meant we took a lot of stops!).

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. 

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.

• 20 Best Hikes on the Oregon Coast
• 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

That concludes our list of the best hikes near Florence, Oregon. Feel free to reach out with any questions about the hikes on our list!

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