Hike, bike and walk
Trail maps and information
This map is your introductory guide to hiking, biking and paddling trails along an enchanting 20-mile stretch of the rural Oregon coast. It'll direct you to rocky coastal shorelines and long expanses of sandy beach, inland bays, rivers and estuaries, and on to forested coastal mountains and temperate old-growth rainforests. With trails ranging from wheelchair accessible to "difficult," there are opportunities for all members of your family.
Traveling along the U.S. Highway 101, you'll pass through three coastal villages: Seal Rock, Waldport, and Yachats. Stop to experience each village's distinct rural character and natural beauty. Enjoy the campgrounds, casual cottages, or luxury motels, and delight in the small shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants.
It's time to pack your outdoor gear and head for the woods, or the shore, or the streams to experience these villages, and magnificent trails.
Trail Descriptions
1. Oregon Coast Trail - 20mile stretch of Lincoln County Easy to moderate Trailhead north: Ona Beach at the mouth of Beaver Creek Trailhead south: Cummins Creek What you'll explore: beaches, Alsea Bay Bridge, 804 Trail segment, Yachats River, Amanda Trail segment, crest of Cape Perpetua, St. Perpetua Trail segment, Cape Perpetua Visitor Center.
2. Beaver Creek State Natural Area Trails - 7 miles of trail Easy to moderate Trailhead: Visit the Welcome Center, 8 miles south of Newport, for trailhead locations and details, call (541) 5636413, 12 PM 4 PM seven days/week. What you'll explore: Connecting trails from old growth forests to coastal dunes, estuary and marshes. Kayak, join a tour or hike.
3. Alsea Bay Water Trail - 10mile stretch on Alsea River Easy to moderate Trailhead: Port of Alsea Boat Launch, Old Town Waldport What you'll explore: Pristine estuaries along river, creek and slough waterways offering exceptional bird viewing, wildlife and marine mammals.
4. Old Town Trail - 1.8 miles loop 1 hour round trip Easy Trailhead: Alsea Bay Interpretive Center What you'll explore: beaches, bridge (tours), clam and ghost shrimp beds, Robinson Park, Port of Alsea, crabbing docks, Old Town Waldport, kayak rentals, boat launches.
5. Woodland Trail - 1.3 miles oneway 1.3 hours round trip Moderate Trailhead: Kendall Field in Waldport What you'll explore: old growth Douglas Fir and Sitka Spruce, huge nurse stumps, Red River, switchbacks with rope bannisters, six additional trailheads at the crest, Old Town and Upper Waldport, 5 benches for views.
6. Ya'Xaík (yäh' khik) Trail - 1.15 mile loop 45 minutes Moderate Trailhead: east end of Diversity Dr. (Fisterra Garden Apartments) What you'll explore: lush second growth forest, Gerdemann Botanical Preserve's public footpath. (No dogs in GBP)
7. 804 Trail - 2.5 miles oneway 13/4 hours oneway Easy, some parts wheelchair accessible Trailhead: South end of Ocean View Drive and Highway 101 Trail Ends: at ramp down to a 7 mile sandy beach What you'll explore: town of Yachats, Smelt Sands State Park, Yachats State Park, ocean vistas, tide pools.
8. Amanda Trail - 3.2 miles oneway 4 hours round trip Easy, north trailhead to Amanda Statue Difficult, statue to summit Trailhead: South end of Yachats Ocean Road What you'll explore: Amanda Grotto, statue and bridge, Cape Perpetua summit at 803'.
9. Whispering Spruce (Overlook) Trail - .25 mile loop 15 minutes Easy Trailhead: parking lot at the summit of Cape Perpetua What you'll explore: Viewpoint Shelter, panoramic views of the coastline north and south.
10. Saint Perpetua Trail - 1.3 miles oneway 40 minutes round trip Difficult: switch backs to Cape Perpetua summit, 800 ft. Trailhead: Cape Perpetua Visitor Center What you'll explore: ocean vistas, Sitka Spruce forest.
11. Trail of Restless Waters - .4 miles oneway 15 minutes round trip Easy Trailhead: Devil's Churn parking lot, .25 miles north of Cape Perpetua Visitor Center What you'll explore: Devil's Churn, Pacific Coast.
12. Captain Cook Trail - .6 miles one way 15 minutes round trip Easy Trailhead: Cape Perpetua Visitor Center What you'll explore: CCC Camp, Indian shell middens, Spouting Horn, Cook's Chasm, tide pools.
13. Giant Spruce Trail - 1 mile oneway 45 minutes round trip Easy Trailhead: Cape Perpetua Visitor Center What you'll explore: Cape Creek, campground, old growth forest, 500yearold giant spruce.
14. Discovery Loop - 2 mile loop 1 hour Moderate Trailhead: Cape Perpetua Visitor Center parking lot What you'll explore: old growth Sitka spruce stand.
15. Gwynn Creek Loop - 7 mile loop 3 hours Moderate, from 400 ft. to 1,000 ft. Trailhead: Cape Perpetua Visitor Center What you'll explore: Cook's Ridge, old growth spruce, Gwynn Creek Canyon, Oregon Coast Trail.
16. Cummins Creek Loop - 10 mile loop 4 hours round trip Difficult: elevations to 1,000 ft. Trailhead: Neptune State Park What you'll explore: old growth forests and open meadows, Cummins Basin, Oregon Coast Trail.
Safety information
Research the route's length and difficulty. Understand the predicted weather conditions. Beware of incoming tides so you don't get stranded on rocks or beaches. Learn about sunrise and sunset times. Drive cautiously on logging roads and stay out of the way of log trucks. Cyclists yield to hikers, and both yield to equestrians. If you get lost, STOP! Move to a clearing, put on bright colors, blow your whistle, and stay in one place so searchers can find you. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Always contact them when you return. For details on where to hike, ride or paddle, contact the local information center if you are unsure about what you can and can't do in a given area.
Bring these lifesaving "10 Essentials" on every outing
Compass and map. Leave the electronic compass at home. No battery or satellite service means no compass
Flashlight and extra batteries
Water and food
Waterproof matches
Fire starter
Bright, visible layered clothing for rain protection and warmth
Pocket knife
First aid kit
Whistle
Identification and the emergency medical information