Tillamook Head, Between Seaside and Cannon Beach
Ecola State Park, at the southern side of Tillamook Head. Photo courtesy of KlauswithK.
History has it that the Lewis and Clark expedition walked Tillamook Head while searching for blubber. If 10 miles are too many, truncate this point-to-pointer wherever you wish and turn it into an out-and-back day hike. Enter the popular trail from the north, parking at the end of Sunset Blvd. on the south side of Seaside. The 8-mile route through Ecola State Park goes up and over Tillamook Head, past Indian Beach, and follows the Cannon Beach trail to the middle of Cannon Beach. Grab a bus back to Seaside and walk to your car.
Seaside Visitors Bureau
7 N Roosevelt Dr
Seaside OR 97138
(888) 306-2326
www.seasideor.com/documents/welcome.html
Cannon Beach Chamber and Information Center
207 N Spruce St.
Cannon Beach, OR 97110
(503) 436-2623
www.cannonbeach.org/index.htm
Sunset Empire Transit
(800) 776-6406
www.cannon-beach.net/cbtranspo.html
Cascade Head, Between Tillamook and Lincoln City
Looking south from Cascade Head. Photo courtesy of Becherka
You can take either of two trails. The 1-mile upper trail ends at a viewpoint. Access the trailhead near the summit of the head. Turn west from Hwy 101 onto USFS Rd. 1861 (Cascade Head Rd.) and go 3.5 miles, bearing left at the fork, to a marked parking lot. Access the lower trail by turning west from Hwy 101 on Three Rocks Rd. Bear left at the fork 2 miles in and park in Knight Park. This trail climbs 500 feet to the top of Cascade Head; watch out for slippery mud on the descent.
The Nature Conservancy
www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/oregon/preserves/art6796.html
U.S. Forest Service, Siuslaw National Forest
Hebo Ranger District
31525 Hwy 22
Hebo, OR 97122
(503) 392-5100
www.fsl.orst.edu/chef/index.htm
Yaquina Head, Just North of Newport
YaquinaHead. Photo courtesy of Mary Beth Seibert and Howcheng
It's not a boast: the central word in "Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area" describes the outward thrust of the coastline. The Bureau of Land Management runs this park. Go down the staircase and walk around the head at sea level, stopping to enjoy the activity in the tide pools. Be mindful of the tide level.
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
750 NW Lighthouse Dr.
Newport, Oregon 97365
(541) 574-3100
www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/yaquina/index.php
Heceta, Between Waldport and Florence
Heceta Head photo courtesy of HISE Studios
Choose either the half-mile path from Devil's Elbow State Park or the 1.3-mile section of the Oregon Coast Trail. For the shorter walk, park at Devil's Elbow State Park. For the longer, park 1 mile north, on the east side of Hwy 101. Walk a short distance north to a Hobbit Trail post on the west side of the highway. Either trail you take, climb the 58 steps to the top of Heceta Head Lighthouse.
Devil's Elbow State Park
(541) 997-3851
www.stateparks.com/devils_elbow.html
Heceta Head Lighthouse
(800) 551-6949
www.oregonstateparks.org/park_124.php
Port Orford Heads, Just North of Port Orford
Photo courtesy of Rev Brian Morrow, www.iloveoregon.com
Pick up a brochure at the Port Orford Heads State Park visitor center. Maps for Cove, Tower and Headlands trails are inside.
Port Orford Heads State Park
P.O. Box 637
Port Orford, OR 97465
(541) 332-8055
www.oregonstateparks.org/park_61.php
portorfordlifeboatstation.org
