The Best Oregon Coast Hikes near Gearhart
Updated: November 4, 2026
Looking for the best hikes near Gearhart? You’re in for a treat. Gearhart sits perfectly between Seaside and Cannon Beach, giving you access to some of the Oregon Coast’s most breathtaking trails.
You can explore windswept headlands, misty old-growth forests, and dramatic sea stacks all within a 40-minute drive. Whether you’re staying at Gearhart by the Sea Resort or planning your coastal getaway, you’ll discover trails ranging from easy waterfront strolls to challenging mountain climbs.
Pick up your hiking boots and camera, and let’s explore the most breathtaking hikes near Gearhart.
TL;DR:
Gearhart offers unbeatable access to 10 spectacular coastal and inland hikes, from easy beachside trails to challenging mountain summits. The town’s central location, situated between Seaside (5 minutes north) and Cannon Beach (15 minutes south), makes it more affordable and less crowded, while offering the best of both worlds. You’ll find everything, from the gentle Gearhart Ridge Path right in town to the dramatic Ecola State Park trails.
What Are the Best Hiking Trails Near Gearhart, Oregon?
Some of the best hikes near Gearhart include coastal trails through Ecola State Park, historic Lewis and Clark routes over Tillamook Head, and family-friendly loops around Coffenbury Lake in Fort Stevens State Park. Let’s get moving.
Hikes from Gearhart (Your Home Base)
The first trail begins right from your doorstep in Gearhart:
Gearhart Ridge Path
Trail Details:
- Distance: 3.0 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation gain: 30 feet
- Best time to visit: Year-round
- Distance from Gearhart by the Sea Resort: 0.8 miles
Just a short walk from our rentals in Gearhart, Oregon, is the Gearhart Ridge Path. The trail acts as a sample platter of Gearhart and begins near City Hall. Also known as the “Ridge Path,” this trail brings you parallel to Cottage Street, where you can get a better feel of coastal living from a local’s perspective.
If you want to, you can continue on a loop that will take you around the town, bringing you to sights such as the Necanium Estuary and Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, as well as views of neighboring Gearhart, Oregon, hotels. The three-mile hike explores many aspects of Gearhart itself.
How to get there: Begin at Gearhart by the Sea Resort, then head north on Ocean Avenue until you reach Pacific Way. Turn left onto Pacific Way and follow it for about half a mile until you reach the trailhead on your left. The entire walk takes less than 30 minutes to complete.
North: Seaside Area Hikes
These nearby trails blend coastal beauty with the history of Lewis and Clark. Let’s explore them:
Tillamook Head Trail from Seaside
Trail Details:
- Distance: 6.3 miles one-way (12.6 miles round trip)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: 1,350 feet
- Best time to visit: Spring through Fall
- Distance from resort: 8 miles to Seaside trailhead
The Tillamook Head Trail follows in the footsteps of Captain William Clark and members of the Corps of Discovery, who traveled this route in 1806 in search of a beached whale. This historic trail takes about four hours to complete and offers stunning coastal views that make every step worthwhile.
The trail winds through old-growth forest before emerging at spectacular clifftop viewpoints. You’ll pass a World War II radar station and reach a viewpoint of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Clark was both challenged and awed by Tillamook Head, cursing the climb as the steepest, worst, and highest mountain he ever ascended, while naming the views the grandest and most pleasing prospects his eyes ever surveyed.
There are some steep sections and ladders to climb, so come prepared for a challenge. The trail is part of the Oregon Coast Trail and extends six miles from Seaside to Cannon Beach.
How to get there: From Gearhart, head north to Seaside on Highway 101. The Seaside trailhead is located at The Cove, at the south end of Seaside near Avenue U and South Edgewood Street.
Clatsop Loop Trail
Trail Details:
- Distance: 2.8 miles loop
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Elevation gain: 400 feet
- Best time to visit: Year-round
- Distance from resort: 13 miles
The Clatsop Loop Trail is a 3-mile hike that retraces the route taken by members of the Lewis and Clark expedition from Seaside across Tillamook Head, ending at a viewpoint overlooking Terrible Tilly. This shorter alternative to the full Tillamook Head traverse offers big rewards with less commitment.
The trail starts at Indian Beach in Ecola State Park and climbs through majestic rainforest dotted with massive Sitka spruce. You’ll pass an old World War II radar station and arrive at a viewpoint that looks out to Terrible Tilly, the Tillamook Rock Light, the most expensive lighthouse ever constructed on the West Coast. On your return, the trail descends closer to the cliffs, offering several classic coastline views.
This trail can get muddy, so wear appropriate footwear. The well-marked path makes it perfect for families looking for a historical adventure with spectacular views.
How to get there: Follow Highway 101 south from Gearhart to Cannon Beach. Turn onto Ecola State Park Road and continue to the Indian Beach parking area. The trailhead is behind the restrooms.
Coffenbury Lake Trail (Fort Stevens State Park)
Trail Details:
- Distance: 2.4 miles loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation gain: Minimal
- Best time to visit: Year-round
- Distance from resort: 12 miles
Coffenbury Lake is part of Fort Stevens State Park, one of many shallow interdune lakes formed by deposition from the Columbia River. The short loop hike is recommended for families with smaller children. During the summer months, the water in Coffenbury Lake warms to 70°F in July, making it ideal for swimming.
The trail circles the 56-acre lake through alder-lined shores and beneath towering Sitka spruce. You’ll walk through areas with evergreen huckleberry, sword fern, and salal in the undergrowth. Look for waterfowl, including flotillas of buffleheads, along with mallards and cormorants.
This trail connects with Fort Stevens’ extensive network of paths, including routes to the historic military batteries and the Peter Iredale shipwreck. There’s even a summer swimming area and picnic facilities, making this an all-day destination.
How to get there: From Gearhart, head north on Highway 101 to Warrenton, then follow signs to Fort Stevens State Park. The Coffenbury Lake parking area is well-marked within the park.
Necanicum Estuary Trail
Trail Details:
- Distance: 2-3 miles (varies by route)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation gain: Minimal
- Best time to visit: Spring and Fall migrations
- Distance from resort: 2 miles
The Necanicum Estuary, where the Necanicum River and Neawanna Creek meet, supports a wide variety of avian life at all seasons, and Necanicum Spit is a snowy plover nesting area. The Necanicum Estuary Trail winds through a stunning landscape of sand dunes, salt marshes, and lush wetlands.
This peaceful walk takes you along the estuary’s edge, where you can spot brown pelicans congregating at the river mouth. Flocks of Caspian terns and Heerman’s and Western gulls hang out on the mudflats, and along the verge, you can look for estuarine plants including orache, red goosefoot, paintbrush owl clover, gumweed, and glasswort.
During fall and spring migrations, these flats play host to thousands of shorebirds. The trail offers a quiet haven from crowds and provides unique educational opportunities about coastal ecosystems. So come along with your binoculars for the best wildlife viewing experience.
How to get there: From Gearhart, head to the north end of town where H Street dead-ends. You can also access viewing areas from N. Holladay Drive near Seaside High School at Necanicum Estuary Park.
South: Cannon Beach & Ecola Area
After a 15-minute drive south, you will discover Cannon Beach’s legendary coastal trails. We’ll cover each of them below:
Ecola State Park to Indian Beach Trail
Trail Details:
- Distance: 4.7 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: 875 feet
- Best time to visit: Year-round
- Distance from resort: 13.1 miles
A short drive down the coast from our seaside hotel in Gearhart, Oregon, will take you to Ecola State Park (and the Indian Beach Trail). This moderate two-mile hike takes you from the state park’s parking lot along the oceanfront to Indian Beach. Open to views of the ocean and offshore rocks, there will be no shortage of wildlife viewing opportunities on your trek.
Remember to bring a pair of binoculars and a camera because Cannon Beach’s Haystack Rock remains one of Oregon’s most breathtaking attractions. Note that the trail can sometimes become quite muddy, so be sure to wear your hiking shoes.
Our beautiful neck of the Pacific Northwest was popularized by several films, alluring generations of nature lovers to our tranquil stretch of wilderness. Hiking along Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, as seen in “The Goonies,” is one of the greatest thrills imaginable.
The 235-foot-tall sea stack, as you can imagine, is the most popular attraction near Gearhart by the Sea, one of the most affordable oceanfront Oregon Coast resorts. There are over four miles of beach to explore near Haystack Rock, which has also become a haven for puffins, starfish, and countless other colorful tidepool creatures
How to get there: From Gearhart by the Sea Resort, head west on Westview Way towards the beach. Continue until you reach Highway 101 W/ W/Indian Beach Rd and follow signs to Ecola State Park via Cannon Beach.
Note: Because of a sinkhole and landslide, Ecola Park Road inside the state park has been closed since the fall of 2021. However, you can still access the trails at Ecola State Park from Cannon Beach for your visit.
Crescent Beach Trail
Trail Details:
- Distance: 2.5 miles out-and-back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: 300 feet
- Best time to visit: Low tide for beach exploration
- Distance from resort: 13 miles
The 2.5-mile round-trip hike to secluded Crescent Beach is a stunning sight, though the trail is steep and can be slippery, making it best suited for fit and nimble hikers. The reward is a remarkably beautiful stretch of uncrowded beach, even during the busiest times of year.
The trail descends through coastal forest from Ecola Point, revealing glimpses of Sea Lion Rocks through the trees. At low tide, you can walk from Crescent Beach north to Ecola Point, exploring striking rock formations and intertidal areas. You’ll get great views of the Sea Lion Rocks and a chance to see caves and tunnels beneath Ecola Point.
This hike offers that secluded beach experience most visitors never find. The relatively short distance combined with steep terrain means you’ll work for your reward, but the pristine beach waiting below makes every step worthwhile.
How to get there: Park at Ecola Point in Ecola State Park. The trailhead begins near the main overlook parking area and is well-marked.
Cape Falcon Trail
Trail Details:
- Distance: 4.8 miles out-and-back
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Elevation gain: 160 feet
- Best time to visit: May through October
- Distance from resort: 21.6 miles
The Cape Falcon path is well-maintained and relatively easy, though some steep sections might be more challenging for those who are not experienced hikers. Trek through a forest of massive Sitka spruce trees to a lava headland with views south to Neahkahnie Mountain on this short but strenuous hike.
One thing to keep in mind when making the trek to Cape Falcon is that the Oregon coast can be quite windy, so dress accordingly and be prepared for changing weather conditions.
How to get there: From Gearhart, take Highway 101 south for about 15 miles. Turn onto Short Sand Beach Road in Oswald West State Park. The trailhead parking is off Highway 101 near mile marker 39.
Inland Adventures (Day Trips)
These inland trails reward the longer drive with waterfalls and breathtaking summits. Here they are:
Youngs River Falls Hike
Trail Details:
- Distance: 1 mile round trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation gain: 50 feet
- Best time to visit: Year-round (best water flow in spring)
- Distance from resort: 17.5 miles
Youngs River Falls is a family-friendly, easy-going path fit for all ages and hiking experience levels, and though the hike checks in at under a half-mile, you’ll be rewarded by a scenic 50-foot waterfall. The falls are somewhat unique in that the base is located only about 10 feet above sea level, and have been featured in several movies, including Free Willy 2 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3.
This is the most inland trail on our list and makes a perfect rainy-day activity. You can even see the waterfall from the parking lot, making it accessible for visitors with mobility limitations. The short distance makes this ideal for families with young children or anyone wanting a quick nature escape.
The surrounding forest provides a tranquil setting for a picnic after viewing the falls. The easy accessibility means you can visit this waterfall as part of a larger day exploring the area without committing to a long hike.
How to get there: From Gearhart, head south on Ocean Avenue to Conway Drive. Turn right onto Conway Drive and follow the scenic route through coastal forests. Signs will mark the entrance to Youngs River Falls Reserve, where you’ll find parking near the trailhead.
Saddle Mountain Trail
Trail Details:
- Distance: 5.2 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: 1,733 feet
- Best time to visit: Spring-Fall
- Distance from resort: 37 miles
For those looking to challenge themselves during their Oregon Coast getaway, we recommend Saddle Mountain. A scenic 38-minute drive from our ocean-view Gearhart hotel, this strenuous 4.5-mile out-and-back hike is perhaps the most rewarding in Oregon. Saddle Mountain’s peak provides panoramic views of the surrounding valley, jagged mountains, and the wide Pacific, despite being approximately 19 miles from the ocean. If you’re hoping for an easier, off-the-beaten-path hidden gem, we also recommend Soapstone Lake.
After a long day of exploring nature, what better way to recoup and relax than retreating to your comfortable accommodations and going for a swim at a pool, or enjoying a fine meal at McMenamins Sand Trap Bar & Grill?
How to get there: From Gearhart, take Highway 101 south to Highway 26 east. Follow Highway 26 for approximately 10 miles, then turn north on Saddle Mountain Road. Follow this road for about 7 miles to the trailhead parking area.
When Is the Best Time for Seasonal Hiking Near Gearhart?
The Oregon Coast Trail and associated trails are accessible year-round, though conditions can change rapidly along the coast. Spring offers stunning wildflower displays on mountain trails and whale-watching opportunities from coastal paths, while summer brings the warmest weather and clearest views, albeit with increased crowds. Additionally, fall brings dramatic lighting and fewer visitors, making it an ideal time for photography. Winter, on the other hand, showcases storm watching and waterfalls at peak flow, although trails can be muddy, and some higher-elevation paths may be covered with snow.
Why Should You Stay in Gearhart?
Gearhart offers the perfect central location for exploring Oregon’s northern coast hiking trails. You’re just 5 minutes north of Seaside and 15 minutes south of Cannon Beach, giving you quick access to both areas without the crowds or high prices of tourist hotspots.
The town maintains a peaceful, residential atmosphere that lets you truly relax after a day on the trails. Gearhart Beach stretches for miles with soft, welcoming sand, offering a more intimate coastal experience than busier beaches while maintaining that peaceful, unhurried vibe. Also, you’ll pay significantly less for accommodations in Gearhart while getting the same stunning coastal access.
Gear up and Go Hiking
That was our list of the best Oregon coast hikes near Gearhart by the Sea Resort. Whether you’re coming to our resort for a relaxing weekend getaway or an action-packed family adventure, you’ll be in the perfect location to explore some of the most breathtaking natural landmarks on the coast. With Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, and endless state parks within easy reach, you’ll have endless opportunities to witness stunning coastal scenery and experience unique outdoor adventures.
So come on out and discover all that this beautiful corner of the world has to offer! We can’t wait to see you here. Book your Gearhart resort stay today and start planning your Oregon coast hike!
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking Near Gearhart
Gearhart is just 3 miles (5 minutes) south of Seaside along Highway 101. You can easily drive, bike, or even walk between the two towns. This proximity gives you access to Seaside’s trails and restaurants while enjoying Gearhart’s quieter, more peaceful atmosphere and lower accommodation prices.
Yes, via the Oregon Coast Trail, though it’s about 9-10 miles one-way along the beach through Seaside. Most hikers prefer driving between towns (15 minutes) and tackling specific trail sections rather than walking the entire beach. This lets you experience the best trails without the long connecting stretches.
Gearhart is your ideal base. Located perfectly between Seaside (5 minutes north) and Cannon Beach (15 minutes south), you’re within easy reach of all major trailheads. You’ll get better value than Cannon Beach, less congestion than Seaside, and the same beautiful coastal access while staying in a peaceful residential community.
Absolutely. Gearhart puts you within 40 minutes of everything from easy beach walks to challenging mountain summits. The central location, affordable accommodations, and lack of tourist crowds make it perfect for base-camping. You can explore different trail systems daily without long drives or constantly changing lodging.
Most Oregon State Parks (Ecola, Fort Stevens) require day-use parking permits available as 12-month or 24-month passes. Individual trails don’t need separate permits. Check the Oregon State Parks website for current parking fees and any temporary closures before your visit. However, annual passes offer the best value if you plan to stay multiple days.