Oregon has more hiking trails than one could hike in a lifetime, so you can't hike them all. If I had to pick only ONE trail in the state to hike, I would pick Cascade Head. The trail starts at Knight Park, right on the estuary. After viewing the river, you hike through the old growth. The hike starts with some elevation, but the trees provide shade and lots of places to stop and rest. After crossing streams and bridges you come out to the grass field with a million dollar view of the Salmon River and Pacific Ocean. Bring a head lamp and stay for the view through sunset, it is incredible. The trail continues through the grass with more switchbacks to the upper viewpoint. While the Upper viewpoint is fantastic, if you are short on time, the lower viewpoint is fairly comparable (view wise) to upper. This hike is really the highlight of the Oregon Coast. The trail does not allow dogs (or pets) so plan accordingly. read more

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Great trail...loads to see and a real workout in the process. We arrived at the trailhead at 8am to be the first in the lot on a Saturday. By the time we returned the lot was full. There's a decent amount of parking...spots for cars, RVs, and trucks with boat trailers. The pre-trail wanders in and out of the trees and road for a bit, but they have great signage to lead you to the actual head. The trail is great, as you get a smidge of everything you could ask for along the way...some shaded forest, wildlife, wildflowers, stunning coastal views, and a pretty butt-kicking workout to the top viewpoint. Keep in mind, we aren't young, and neither are our hips and knees. There are a good number of high clearance steps to climb that weren't the easiest for a gal with short legs and bad hips. Not to mention that the trail is pretty steep as you zig-zag your way up the non-shaded knoll to the second viewpoint at the top of the lower trail (where it meets the upper). The trail is narrow most of the way, especially on that hillside as you push your way through the tall grasses and flowers. You definitely need to watch your step constantly going up and down, as there are hidden steps, rocks, and uneven surfaces beneath the grasses. We almost ended our trip at the lower viewpoint, but after a bit of contemplation decided to push through and up the hillside to the top. I'm super glad we made the choice, but we definitely felt it! So much to see along the way. We got to watch the elk herd as it grazed the knoll at the first opening, so beautiful. Halfway down the hill from the top a fast moving fog bank came off the coast right at us, engulfing us and removing everything from sight for a minute, while providing us with much appreciated and FABulous cold air... a very cool experience for sure. I highly recommend this trail. Go early if you go on the weekend. And if you're now young ONLY at heart, be prepared for a decent workout if you plan to go to the top...but do it, it's worth it. :) read more

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Wow, All I can say about this hike is WOW. One of the best views not only in Oregon but anywhere on the planet truly! On the day we went you could see everything you ever wanted to on a hike. The trek up was filled with streams and plants and at the very top a nice clear view of the beaches shorelines which seemed to have stretched on forever. We cant to come back to Oregon simply for this hike alone! Made our trip to the coastline by far the best we have ever gone too! I would highly recommend this hike to any avid hikers not because the difficulty but because the VIEW. read more

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If you were to see 5 to 10 touristic photos of the Oregon Coast, one of them would most likely be of the view of Cascade Head and the Pacific Ocean slightly north of Lincoln City, Oregon. Regardless, this photo will then become etched in your brain and you will want to see this vista. The photo may be labeled as Cascade Head and it might even indicate that it's close to Lincoln City. However, explanations on how to get there are not always so clear. Here, some persistence is needed and it's better to corroborate what you read with area locals, if possible. The Cascade Head experience is quite different from the Drift Creek Falls experience. The latter is an inland Oregon forest experience while the latter is the quintessential Oregon Coast experience. Right away, there are a few favorable things to know. First, this experience is free, just as are the best things in life. Second, this experience is easier to experience by the much shorter trail to the top ... the approaches to the trailheads aren't that far off US 101 (the Coast Highway) and one of them does not involve much of an ascent or a descent. This trek can then become more complicated. If one opts for the shorter approach toward the bottom of the big hill, then the hike is longer and more strenuous. If one opts for the longer approach taking one on a more level path already at the top of this mound offering the views, then the hike is shorter and less strenuous. As is the case with so many coastal Oregon hikes, the trail may be wet, dank, and even muddy. Hiking boots are recommended. One of my Big 5 moccasin type slip-ons was snatched from me by the mud and I had to fight the mud to retrieve it. It was sort of gross. I'm thinking that sporting those hiking boots that folks in New England and in the Pacific Northwest are seemingly issued at birth might be the best way to undertake this adventure. Haven taken the easier and shorter upper trail, accessible from US 101 and somewhat easy to miss, I can say that the final reward in terms of the Cascade Head view is superlative. The trail will go through a forest of evergreens, ultimately taking you out onto a clearing atop this promontory. You are guaranteed to be captivated by the feeling of being on top of the world and rewarded with many worthwhile photographs. I want to give you one caveat and it doesn't have to be a big deal. When you hike in a forest, you should always look at where you're putting your feet. Many elk live on this hill. People from up high are looking down at them and people who approached from down below are looking up at them. They know bipeds are here. I'm sure they're used to them and keep their distance. However, you will see dark circular disks on the ground once you're on the clearing and meadow that offer the spectacular view. These are not cow chips or meadow muffins, but elk excrement. I'm sure that you can maintain a sense of humor if you briefly look at them, marvel at how uniform and symmetrical they are, and then quickly look away. If you stared much longer, that would make you sort of weird. However, should you step on one, I'm sure your sense of humor will evaporate almost instantaneously. Research the approach to Cascade Head that's right for you and your party. Hike responsibly. Watch your step. And, lastly, be prepared to be mesmerized by one of the more emblematic and famous vistas along the Oregon Coast. read more

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AMAZING, this was a great trail through the woods and opened up to a jaw dropping view of the mountains clashing with the oceans. After this opening it is about 700 foot of elevation gain in switchbacks for the next mile so it is pretty tough but so worth it! read more

Trail wasnt hard to find especially with all the arrows pointing which way to go. Very clean bathrooms and ample parking. The start to the hike is about a 1/4 mile walk but the hike is worth it especially all the stairs. Definitely not stroller friendly read more

Cascade Head Trail - View at the lower point - Hiking Near Me

One of the most beautiful places we've ever been! Fantastic hike & gorgeous views. Was muddy that day, so we got pretty dirty, but completely worth it once we reached the top and could see the ocean! read more

One of our favorite hikes! A must do hike! Moderately difficult, however there were plenty of families on the trail. We definitely got our hearts beating with pretty much an uphill climb on the way to the first viewpoint...it was awesome. The serenity and quite of the first half of the hike through the lush forest with incredible giant trees towering over, then you begin to hear the oceans waves in the distance, eventually you start to see grass accumulate around you next to the trail and before you know it you breech through the trees into a large hilly meadow with breath taking views of the ocean! Amazing!!! With taking a few photos here and there, this hike took us about 40 min one way (the way back was about 30 min - it's a lot of downhill). Enjoy!!! read more

Cascade Head Trail - View from the first viewpoint - Hiking Near Me

If Homer had viewed the horizon to the west from Cascade Head on a day like today he would have dropped that Flat Earth thing in a hurry. With a strong wind out of the east the marine layer was completely gone and I could see the curve of the Earth. Never really saw that before. At about the 90% point of the horizon the water appeared to drop off into a slope and the sky appeared to recede below the water. The trail seems to be easier than it used to, but that's probably because I've hiked it so many times now. In any case this is an absolute gem of a ramble with plenty of wooded beauty, massive old growth trees, and the substantial award of the Pacific Ocean part way up the Head. Stunning and worth the hour plus of steady and sometimes steep uphill hiking. NOTE: pushing 70 like me? Take one Aleve toward the end of your return trip. Those long steps down at your final descent are knee-bangers for certain. Beer afterward is optional. Homer? Yes for poetry only. read more

Cascade Head Trail - "The wind scatters the leaves on the ground...says Homer - Hiking Near Me

Excellent hike! Can't beat the views if you're lucky enough to do it on a clear day . I would call it a moderate hike as it was approximately 5 miles round trip with a climb from sea level up to about 1300 feet. There is a great grass-covered, hillside area as you first emerge from the beginning, forested portion of the hike. Great spot for both unending views down the coast, and the estuary. For those not up to the consistent uphill climbing after this spot... it's a good place to take in the views then head back. We did pass some older folks who were just getting started and already struggling from the uphills in the forested area. I would DEFINITELY recommend taking water on this hike and I will bring it next time. read more

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Hiked this gorgeous trail for the first time today. The views were phenomenal-some of the best I've ever seen in Oregon! The stairs at the beginning of the trail really get your blood pumping. And both viewpoints are incredible! Do this hike on a sunny day and you will not be disappointed! read more