The Best Oregon Coast Hikes near Gearhart
Updated: July 4, 2024
Visiting the Oregon Coast in 2024 and want to experience the best of its iconic natural beauty? Well, there’s no better way to do so than hiking the stunning Oregon Coast hiking trails. Oregon’s coastline is renowned for its dramatic beauty, and there are plenty of options for great Oregon coast hikes near Gearhart by the Sea Resort.
Just a short walk or drive from the resort, you can find yourself exploring the miles of pristine beaches, towering cliffs, and lush forests Oregon Coast hikes have to offer. Here are five of the best Oregon coast hikes near Gearhart by the Sea Resort:
Gearhart Ridge Path Hike
- Distance: 3.0 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation gain: 30 feet
- Open: Year-round
- Best time to visit: Anytime
- Distance from the resort: 0.8 mile
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. Make a left onto Pacific Way and follow it for about half a mile until you reach the trailhead on your left. The entire walk should take less than 30 minutes.
Ecola State Park to Indian Beach Trail Hike
- Distance: 4.7 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: 875 feet
- Open: Year-round
- Best time to visit: Anytime
- Distance from the 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 off-shore 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 get pretty muddy so remember 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, first, head west on Westview Way towards the beach. Continue down this road until you reach Ecola Point Road, then turn right and follow the road as it curves around. Take the second left onto Canyon Drive and continue for a few blocks until you reach Lagoon Lane. Turn right onto Lagoon Lane, then take the first left onto Highway 101 W/Indian Beach Rd. Follow this road for a few miles until you reach your destination at Ecola State Park.
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 2024 visit.
Youngs River Falls Hike
- Distance: 1 mile
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation gain: 15 m
- Open: Year-round
- Best time to visit: Anytime
- Distance from the resort: 17.5 mile
This is the most inland trail on this list and takes you to yet another nearby state park. Youngs River Falls is a family-friendly, easy-going path that is fit for all ages and levels of hiking experience. Though the hike checks in at under a half-mile, it will be well worth it when you’re rewarded by a scenic 50-foot waterfall at the trail’s end. If it looks familiar, you may have seen it before in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3 and Free Willy 2. You can also see the waterfall from the parking lot.
How to get there:
To get to Youngs River Falls from the resort, head south on Ocean Avenue until you reach its intersection with Conway Drive. Turn right onto Conway Drive and follow it as it winds through scenic coastal forests. After several miles, you\’ll see a sign marking the entrance to Youngs River Falls Reserve. Pull into the parking area here and follow the trail as it leads you down toward the falls.
Tillamook Head Traverse Hike
- Distance: 6.3 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: 1350 feet
- Open: Year-round
- Best time to visit: Anytime
- Distance from the resort: 14.5 miles
Oregon’s coast is rugged and beautiful, and the Tillamook Head Traverse Hike is one of the best ways to experience it. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, and the views are simply stunning.
The hike takes about four hours to complete and its difficulty level is moderate. However, there are some steep sections and a few ladders to climb, so hikers should be prepared for a challenge. But it is worth it, as the Tillamook Head Traverse Hike offers a unique perspective on Oregon’s stunning coastline.
How to get there:
From Gearhart by the Sea Resort, follow Highway 101 west until you reach Seaside. From there, stay on Highway 101 as it winds along the coastline toward Cannon Beach. Once you reach Cannon Beach, you need to take a right onto Third Street and head south until you reach Avenue U.
At this point, you will take a right onto 78th Street and drive up the hill until you reach the Payless Junction Road exit. From here, it’s just a short distance to Tillamook Head Trailhead.
Cape Falcon Hike
- Distance: 4.8 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation gain: 160 feet
- Open: Year-round
- Best time to visit: May – October
- Distance from the 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 it can be quite windy along the Oregon coast, so dress accordingly and be prepared for changeable weather conditions.
How to get there:
From our Resort, you will need to take Highway 101 north for about 15 miles. From there, you will need to turn onto Three Tree Point Drive. Then, follow this road as it winds through town and eventually turns into Cape Falcon Road. Continue along this road for approximately 5 miles, and you will reach your destination.
Saddle Mountain
- Distance: 4.5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: 1,733 feet
- Open: Year-round
- Best time to visit: Spring – Fall
- Distance from the resort: 37 miles
For those looking to challenge themselves during their 2024 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 climb and descent is perhaps the most rewarding hike 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 after a long day hiking 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?
Fully-Equipped Oregon Coast Resorts
Despite being steps from the Pacific Ocean, Gearhart by the Sea remains one of the most affordable places to stay on the Oregon Coast in 2024. Browse through our extensive list of ocean-view vacation rentals to find one that perfectly suits your group’s size, style, and desired price point. Save money by cooking a homemade meal inside your fully-equipped kitchen, watching a sunset from our private beach, and sharing stories of the day’s adventure around a cozy woodstove. Give us a call today at 1-800-547-0115 to learn more about our beautiful slice of the Pacific Northwest!
Pack Your Hiking Boots and Camera!
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 2024 Gearhart resort stay today and start planning your Oregon coast hike!