The Clatsop Loop Trail In Oregon Takes You From Forest To The Beach And Back
By Sarah McCosham|Published September 02, 2021
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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.
One of the best things about hiking in Oregon is how very accessible it is. Hikers of all abilities can enjoy virtually any of our trails in some capacity, experiencing extraordinary views and a diversity of scenery that can only be found in Oregon. If you’re looking for an accessible adventure on the Oregon Coast, the Clatsop Loop Trail won’t disappoint. This 2.8-mile loop trail journeys from the forest to the beach (and back), offering adventurers an immersive experience of the Oregon Coast: its beaches, sea stacks, jagged shorelines, and old-growth forests.
Usually when planning a hike, you have to choose between the beach or the forest. Not in Oregon.
In Oregon, we don't have to choose just one natural wonder to enjoy at a time, because we are literally surrounded by an entire world of wonders! And this is epitomized with the Clatsop Loop Trail.
The trailhead for this hike is well-marked, and there are several different paths for hikers to take, depending on how long of a hike they're looking to complete.
Wrapping around Tillamook Head between Seaside and Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park stretches nine glorious miles along the Oregon Coast. This state park features the breathtaking shoreline, geological formations, sea cliffs, and old-growth forests for which Oregon is well-known.
(Definitely take your time in the forest; the Sitka spruce trees are towering green giants that merit your full attention!)
Numerous overlooks along the way invite hikers to sit and savor the views. But it's such a lovely area, you'll definitely want to venture down to the beach!
Sea stacks and ocean caves, rocky formations and black basalt cliffs -- this is the magic of the Oregon Coast, and you'll experience it in full on the Clatsop Loop Trail.
Have you tackled the Clatsop Loop Trail before? What’s your favorite hike along the Oregon Coast? Share your favorite trails in the comments below!
If you want to really experience the beauty of the Oregon Coast, be sure to check out the Three Capes Scenic Loop, a scenic 40-mile road trip that can easily be done in a day!
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