The Breathtakingly Beautiful Hike In Oregon You've Never Heard Of
By Sarah McCosham|Published May 20, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
While there are a near-endless list of amazing hiking trails in Oregon, sometimes it feels as though there is nothing new to discover (even though we all know that isn’t true!). Today’s featured trail takes us to the coast; it’s a breathtakingly beautiful, under-the-radar hike in Oregon you might have never even heard of.
What if we told you there was a hike in Oregon that winds past historic sites and forts, across charming footbridges and boardwalks, through lush woods and wetlands, culminating in a jaw-dropping finish at one of the state's most beautiful beaches? Would you believe us?
Of course you would. Because this *is* Oregon, after all. This unicorn of a hike is the Fort to Sea Trail, a 13-mile adventure that's one of the most glorious and under-the-radar hikes in Oregon.
As its name suggests, the trail takes hikers on an expedition from the fort to the sea. The trail starts in the woods south of Fort Clatsop and ends in scenic Sunset Beach, winding through the sublime ancestral lands of the Clatsop Indians who aided the Corps during their 1805-06 winter stay at the Pacific.
In addition to being of incredible historic significance to Oregon's original inhabitants, this trail is also a cultural icon; it's the very path that Lewis and Clark traversed in 1805, and the experience to walk in these trailblazers' shoes is something you shouldn't pass up.
As you marvel over the trail's historic and scenic beauty, the mileage will fly by, and you'll soon emerge from the forest and feel salty sea breezes and warm sunshine on your face.
After 6.5 miles, you'll arrive at Sunset Beach, an immensely scenic spot on the Oregon Coast. It's the perfect place to kick off your shoes and dip your feet in the water, celebrating your efforts and enjoying the views. Don't be in too big a hurry to turn back!
This under-the-radar hike in Oregon is not to be missed. The Fort to Sea Trail is a day trip adventure that absolutely belongs on your Beaver State bucket list.
Looking for some new-to-you hikes in Oregon to explore with your four-legged BFF? Check out these five off-leash hikes in Oregon that are 100% pup approved.
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