The Best Coastal Hikes In The Pacific Northwest

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.

1. Cape Alava

Hiking Trail

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.

2. Neahkahnie Mountain

Hiking Trail

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.

4. Samuel H. Boardman State Park Scenic Corridor

Hiking Trail

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.

5. The Lost Coast

Hiking Trail

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.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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