The Best Coastal Hikes in the Pacific Northwest

Thors Well is one of the natural wonders you might see when taking a coastal hike in the Pacific Northwest
Thor's Well is one of the natural wonders you might see when taking a coastal hike in the Pacific Northwest | © Waqas Mustafeez / Flickr
Samantha Ladwig

There’s a reason why the hashtag #pnwonderland exists – the Pacific Northwest’s incredible landscapes, which are best explored on foot.

From the mountain terrain to the sweeping coastline to the desert canyons, the Pacific Northwest is one of the most Instagrammable destinations in the entire country. And Pacific Northwest natives know that the best way to experience the area is to hike it. Below are five hikes in Washington, Oregon and California that prove the West Coast is the best coast.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Cape Alava

Hiking Trail

Cape Alava Trail, Olympic National Park
© U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region / Flickr

Out on the northwestern tip of Washington State are a number of expansive beaches and trails. And while every one of them offers something unique, the Ozette Triangle around Cape Alava may be the most exciting. The 9.4-mile (15.1-kilometer) loop starts inland and follows a flat boardwalk that cuts through the forest before reaching the beach. Overnight campers are welcome to pitch their tents along the coast, but make sure to set up far enough away from the high tide. Other highlights of this coastal hike include tide pools, marine life, and ancient petroglyphs carved by the Makah tribe on Wedding Rock.

Neahkahnie Mountain

Hiking Trail

Oswald West State Park
© Paul Hamilton / Flickr

The Neahkahnie Mountain has more than one hike trailing around its peak. For more experienced hikers, there’s an eight-mile (12.8-kilometer) loop with an elevation gain of about 2,300 feet (701 meters). And for those who enjoy a lighter trek, there’s a three-mile (4.8-kilometer), out-and-back path with a less strenuous elevation gain of only 840ft (256m). The mountain welcomes hikers from all levels looking to get a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful Oregon coast. After weaving through the tall, dense forest, the trail opens up to a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean and the little towns of Manzanita and Cannon Beach. For fans of The Goonies, the latter houses the famous Haystack Rock.

Cape Perpetua

Hiking Trail

Thors Well
© John Fowler / Flickr

The Siuslaw National Forest’s Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is more than just a coastal hike – it’s a natural wonder. Located along Oregon’s central coast, the 6.5-mile (10.4-kilometer) trail is moderate, reaching a little over 1,000ft (304.8m) of elevation gain. It weaves through a Sitka-spruce-filled forest before emerging out onto the coast where hikers can see everything from tide pools to blowholes. One of the hike’s main attractions is the collapsed sea cave known as Thor’s Well. From a distance, it looks bottomless. Despite the constant flow of the tide, the gaping hole never fills. For this reason, Thor’s Well is accurately nicknamed ‘Hell’s Gate’ and ‘the drainpipe of the Pacific.’ From coastal views to natural volcanic wonders to dense forestry, Cape Perpetua offers something for every hiker.

Samuel H. Boardman State Park Scenic Corridor

Hiking Trail

Oregon, coast
© ThunderKiss Photography / Flickr

The Samuel H. Boardman State Park takes up a whopping 12mi (19.3km) of Oregon’s southern coast. Named after the first Oregon Parks superintendent, Samuel H. Boardman, the park is home to one of the state’s most intriguing natural wonders. It’s called the scenic corridor, and it’s a series of coves filled with rock-formed archways and islands. Hikers start out by twisting through a forest thick with 300-year-old Sitka spruce trees. But it doesn’t take long before the trees part and open up to a sweeping coastline where all the extravagant rock formations sit.

The Lost Coast

Hiking Trail

The Lost Coast, California
© Daniel / Flickr

Located between Humboldt and Mendocino counties is California’s Lost Coast Trail, a historic hike fit for all ages. It’s a linear trek, stretching for 25mi (40.2km) between Mattole Beach and Shelter Cove, but it wasn’t always meant for outdoor recreation. Originally, locals intended to build a road along the coast. But the rugged terrain proved to be too difficult and costly. When the project stalled, residents moved, leaving the road and area behind. It was this chain of events that inspired the trail’s eventual name. Nowadays, hikers can walk sections of the trail, or the entire thing, depending on experience. Because portions of this hike run along the beach, it’s important to check the tide schedule before hitting the trailhead.

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