Hiking - Cascade Head

Many people come to the Oregon Coast to experience its untouched wilderness. Cascade Head, near Lincoln City, offers a piece of wild headland worthy of exploration. It is named for the waterfalls the cascade off its cliffs into the frothy ocean below.

Cascade Head has moderately easy hiking trails. The lower Natural Conservancy Trail is the most challenging as it climbs 1,200 feet. It's a moderate 4.2 miles and the trail is open year-round. You climb through spruce forests and then have a breathtaking view across the estuary. You can see Cape Foulweather and Devils Lake in the distance.

You can hike one of two other trails from July 16 through December 31. After these dates the trails close for wildlife conservation. Cascade Head trail is only a mile long, with a slight 160 feet gain.

The trail to Harts Cove is 5.4-miles downhill hike that loses 900 feet of elevation. You follow a trail full of switchbacks until you arrive at a scenic meadow. There’s a viewpoint at the cliff’s edge overlooking the cove. You’ll likely hear sea lions on the beach too. If you want to scale the rugged path down to the shore, you’ll need to scramble down the trail, but it’s worth it. The headland’s teems with aquatic life including starfish, barnacles and sea palms.

To get there drive 1 mile north from the Highway 101 and Highway 18 junction. Turn left on Three Rocks Road and carry on for 2.2 miles. Turn left at the Savage Park boat ramp parking lot.