Cascade Head Trail

If you are looking for a coastal hike with amazing views this is one of the best in Oregon. Cascade Head Trail is located in Otis, Oregon in-between Lincoln and Pacific City. While this trail is not dog-friendly it is definitely worth checking out. The trail’s main viewpoint looks down to three Rocks, the Salmon River Estuary, and the headlands north of Lincoln City.

Trail Description

The trail is a “moderate” hiking trail and is a there-and-back. Most trail guides online will tell you this is a 6.2-mile long hike. While that is technically true if you hike the whole thing end-to-end, most people don’t do this (we didn’t). It’s likely going to be closer to 4 miles if you hike from Knight County Park to the main coastal viewpoint (Lower Viewpoint) which is roughly in the midpoint of the trail route below. The terrain is a progressive increase in elevation to 1381 feet, but don’t let elevation scare you! It’s definitely worth it.

Cascade Head Trail’s Unique Wildlife

The beginning section of the trail hiking is through the wetter rainforest area and opens up into grassy headlands as you progress further in elevation. The wetter area is actually owned by the Nature Conservancy and is a nature preserve for many protected animals and plants, which is why you aren’t allowed to bring doggos. The trail also crosses into U.S. Forest Service land at parts so they ask that you stay on the trail so as not to disturb the other wild life. Some of the animals that live in the area are:

Finding the trail

From the parking lot at knights Park, you follow the path by Three Rocks Road, It’s made from a kind of mulch. Then, you should cross the road and continue on the path that’s beside Savage road north. After that, you will see a wooden bridge that runs parallel to Savage road. At the top of the hill the pathway will pass over the road. By the bottom of the hill you can see the wooden sign. This marks the original trailhead and the start of the trail away from the road.

Cascade Head Trail – Lower Viewpoint

Once you find the marker for the original trailhead, you will begin the elevation on the trail and stairs. This portion is the National Forest area, which is largely old forest including Douglas-fir and Sitka spruce.

The trail crosses a couple of bridges over small streams and then enters a virtual tunnel of undergrowth. There are nearby houses here, but the thick, impenetrable growth separates them from the trail as effectively as distance. You’ll cross Teal Creek in a dense wood and then start climbing again, although more gradually this time. At the edge of the Nature Conservancy land, there’s an informational sign and a donation box. The meadows you’re about to visit were saved from developers in the 1960s by the Nature Conservancy.

Headland Meadow

Very quickly after the sign, you’ll break free of the forest and enter the headland meadow. The views to the south are awe-inspiring. The Salmon River Estuary dominates an ocean view that extends to Lincoln City. There’s a small oasis of trees in a draw before the trail again hits the open slopes. The path traverses along the ridge at about the 500 foot level, finally coming to a view north and down a cliff to the ocean. From there, the trail switches back to begin climbing the slope. After several switchbacks, it levels out somewhat at the 1200 foot level at an upper viewpoint.

Hiking at Cascade Head. 🌲🌲🌲🌊🌊☀️☀️

Posted by William B. Morriss on Saturday, April 27, 2019

This headland meadow is a very rare ecosystem. There are two rare plants that call this hill home, the Cascade Head catchfly (Silene douglasii var oraria) and the hairy-stemmed checkermallow (Sidalcea hirtipes). Both of these species make their strongest stand here. It’s estimated the 99% of all Cascade Head catchflies live on this one hill. The hairy checkermallow isn’t quite that rare, but it still holds the rating of a “species of concern”.

Cascade Head Trail – Upper Trail Head

Seasonal Closer Warning: The Upper Trail is closed by the U.S. Forest Service from January 1 to July 15.

Most people will turn around in the meadow area. The last 0.6 miles of trail as well as the Nature Conservancy Trailhead, all in the Siuslaw National Forest, are closed from January 1st to July 15th.

If you’re continuing (between July 15th and December 31st), follow the trail eastward on the north side of the ridge. This side is timbered, and it’s a completely different hiking experience. The trail picks up a long-abandoned road as the level path works its way through an open forest carpeted with candy flower. There’s a wooden arch across the trail at one point, and salmonberries are plentiful in season. It’s almost a mile from the upper viewpoint to the Nature Conservancy Trailhead on Road 1861, but the walk is a quick one. If you have a second car, you can drive back, or you can hike back the way you came.

If you are looking for other hikes on the Oregon coast or beaches check these out.