We Did the Research, This Is Officially the Funniest Hiking Trail Name in Oregon

Hikes are often named to highlight an important feature along the trail, mimic the name of the surrounding land, or even honor an influential person. There are, however, hikes with no official names. In this case, it’s up to the public to decide what’s best. And in the case of a hike in Lincoln City, Oregon, they decided to name a hike based on what the rock formation at the end of the trail looked like. Thus, the hike was called "The Thumb."

But, even this isn’t really its name. It’s actually best known as "The God’s Thumb," but the hike on AllTrails is referred to as "The Thumb via The Knoll." So, with so many names/nicknames (one of which surely has to be a reference to the “Holes” movie), is this hike worth visiting despite the confusion?

Well, if you want gorgeous views of the rugged Oregon coastline and a truly challenging hike to go along with it, then yes, it is worth it. Depending on how far you take your journey along the route (going up to the Thumb or stopping at the overlook), this trail is approximately four miles. Parking can be found at the trailhead for the Knoll, and once you’ve hiked the Knoll Loop Trail for about 1.25 miles, you’ll find the unofficial trail for the Thumb amongst some meadows. From there, you climb to the overlook, then the trail drops to the base of the Thumb (a basalt rock formation that looks, you guessed it, like a thumb) and continues up the rock. 

It is not recommended to climb the Thumb itself, as it is steep and slippery, and can cause the rock to erode. The area is also very windy, and accidents when climbing the Thumb have been known to happen. Instead, many stop their journey at the overlook, which provides better pictures of the coast and allows users to admire the occasional wildflowers. 

As one would assume based on the former paragraph, this hike is certainly not ADA accessible, nor should anyone with limited mobility try it. Parents should also rethink bringing their children as well, due to the sudden steep inclines and the fact that it is a user-made trail and is not maintained whatsoever (which, admittedly, is part of the appeal for many). 

Luckily, those who finish the challenging hike and are looking for a bit of respite always have Lincoln City to explore. This city is a bit of an underrated gem on Oregon’s coast but is actually internationally well-known for two things: kites and glass (and the art scene in general). There are two famous kite tournaments held here every year, and the miles of pristine beach are extremely popular for beachcombers due to the fact that large amounts of sea glass wash up on the beach. 

Sometimes going off the beaten path is preferable for hikers (and they don’t really care if the trail has a "real" name or not). If that is the case and you want some classic Oregonian coastline scenery, then the Thumb/God’s Thumb/The Thumb via The Knoll is the hike for you! But maybe you know of a better user-made hike? Use our nomination form and tell us all about it!