Five Oregon Coast Walks You'll Love Between Cannon Beach, Manzanita and Nehalem, OR - UPDATED!

The rugged and spellbinding Oregon Coast is known for its splendid scenery, often seen from Highway 101. But, few things in life are better than the salt air caressing your face while the hypnotic sounds of crashing waves mesmerize as you walk along the coast. Thanks to Governor Oswald West, back in 1913, all Oregon beaches are public.  

Two hours from Portland, the Cannon Beach area is a popular destination. These five spectacular walks are available to all (including four-legged companions). They are listed in order of difficulty beginning with the the easiest

1.  Arcadia Beach to Arch Cape via Hug Point, 4.5 miles (round trip), 0 elevation gain. The intrigue of this walk is Hug Point. An old stage coach route was carved out of the rock in the 1880’s to enable passage at low tide. The beach was the road back then. Park at Arcadia Beach and begin walking south on the smooth sand. About a mile ahead you’ll see Hug Point. As you approach the point notice that the acccess to the old stage coach road, carved out of the stone, is easiest on the left. Today it’s covered in barnacles so bare feet don’t fare well. Once to the other side of the point, there is an enjoyable waterfall on your left and scenic Arch Cape is about another mile down the beach. But make sure to turn back and get across the old stage coach road before the tide covers it again!

View from Clatsop Loop, Ecola State Park, OR

2. Ecola State Park, 3-6 miles, 300-1,600 feet elevation gain depending on the option (s) you choose. Known for its rich intertidal sea life (tidepools) in both sandy and rocky environments, low tide is magical at both Indian and Crescent Beaches and the paonoramic coastal views are spectacular on the Clatsop Loop Trail.

Park at the Ecola Point parking lot for both the secluded Crescent Beach hike (3.6 miles, 300 feet) or the more populated Indian Beach Hike (3.8 miles, 900 feet). While 300 feet doesn’t sound like much to Crescent Beach, the trail down (and then back up) through the forest can be challenging due to downed trees and tree roots even though the switchbacks are moderate. But, the walk is more than worth it! And know that the Indian Beach hike while scenic takes you to the Indian Beach Day Use area so is less secluded. But make sure to include time for some fantastic tidepooling at either beach before heading back.

If you park in the Indian Beach Day Use area (versus Ecola Point above) you can hike from Indian Beach to and from Ecola Point going south (versus north above) and add on, or do solo, the Clatsop Loop Trail (3 miles, 800 feet) for expansive views of the rocky volcanic coastline, sandy pocket beaches and wave action of the Pacific Ocean.

3. Chapman Point to Silver Point via Haystack Rock (and Cannon Beach), 4 miles (one way), 0 elevation gain. Iconic Haystack Rock commands attention, at 235 feet. It is a nesting paradise for many species of birds including the colorful tufted puffin while anemones and sea stars provide a good show in the tidepools at low tide. Education is provided by naturalists during low tides.

Park at John Yeon State Natural Site and walk down to Chapman Beach for a spectacular view of Chapman Point and Bird Rocks. Walking south you will cross Ecola Creek, which is easiest in the summer, before you encounter the Cannon Beach crowds. After enjoying Haystack Rock, just south of downtown Cannon Beach, you will pass Tolovana Park.and see beautiful Silver Point about 1.5 miles ahead of you.

This walk, eight miles round trip, can be done in segments by parking in Cannon Beach and Tolovana Park or just one way by shuttling a car. It’s the most urban feeling walk on this list - but don’t miss Haystack Rock!

Invertebrates at Crescent Beach, Ecola State Park, OR

4. Manzanita Beach (Neahkahnie to Nehalem Bay Jetty), 7 miles (one-way), 0 elevation gain. This highly walkable and classic flat sandy beach with its awsome surf is protected by low dunes, beach grass and silver-grey drift wood. From the west end of Manzanita’s main street, Laneda Avenue, walk south past Manzanita homes for about one mile then immerse yourself into the natural world, from the beginning of Nehalem State Park all the way to the jetty , about five more miles. Walking north (versus south as above) from Laneda Avenue to Neahkahnie is about one mile one way but has more people and activity.

Obviously, 14 miles (round trip) is a long way ! A car can be shuttled to Nehalem State Park - we like to park near the horse camp, walk out to the jetty along an old road and back along the beach making it about seven miles. Another alternative is to park in Nehalem State Park on one of the camping loops and walk out to the beach via the access trails and then walk in either direction. Or begin in Manzanita per above and walk to Nehalem Bay State Park and back instead of going all the way to the jetty. Either way, its a fantastic stretch of beach not to be missed!

Neahkahnie Mountain from Manzanita Beach, OR

5. Neahkahnie Mountain, 9 miles (round trip), 1,600 feet elevation gain - with shorter options. Neahkahnie Mountain dominates the landscape in Manzanita and provides an aerial view of the seven-mile beach walk (#4 above) from its summit (featured photo on this blog)! Although it’s not a sandy beach walk, this is a must do hike in the area..

You can hike to Neahkanie Mountain directly from Manzanita Beach! Walk up Nehalem Road about a mile to Highway 101. Quickly cross the busy road and then follow the Oregon Coast Trail for about two miles to the Neahkahnie Mountain southern trailhead. As you ascend the trail moves further away from noisey Highway 101. Once at the parking lot, cross over to the Neakahnie Traillhead and follow that trail for about 1.5 miles. You can also drive up to the south trailhead for just over a three mile.1,000 foot hike.

Another option is to park at the less well maintained north trailhead, off Highway 101, and do a shady out and back, about four miles, 1,200 feet, or shuttle a car and walk it all one way from either trailhead also about four miles.

Either route you take you will walk through a lush forest of Sitka spruce, Western hemlock and Western red cedar towering over underbrush of sword ferns and salal before emerging onto the grassy slope of the summit for a spectacular view. Near the top there is a precarious piece of trail over some rocks and roots - but it’s very short.

From the north trailhead, add on a 2.6 mile hike out and back to Short Sands Beach, a scenic pocket beach frequented by avid surfers.

If you go:

• Visit the Oregon Coast in any season. Spring brings nesting shorebirds, while summer brings warmth (and crowds). Cool fall sunny days are a favorite before storm watchers brave the rains for the enormous crashing ocean waves.

• Tennis shoes are best for sandy beach walks (#1,2,3,4) while lightweight hiking shoes are suitable for Neahkahanie Mountain trails, #5.

• Be prepared for changing weather with extra layers, rain jacket, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses along with water and a snack.

• Binoculars can enhance your visit, while a camera or phone are fun for sharing such a scenic place.

For additional hiking you might like Six Summer Hikes at Crystal Mountain, WA You will Love

Check out The Beach - Washaway Beach, WA to Manzanita, OR for an additional Pacific beach fix.

You might also enjoy Five Favorite Beach Walks in and Around Seattle.