North Coast: Astoria, Cannon Beach, Rockaway Beach, Tillamook
Astoria Column - Astoria
Location: One Coxcombe Drive
Why Go There? Walk from the river/downtown Astoria up the hill through neighborhoods for great views; enjoy gardens, houses. (Also avoids parking challenges at the popular column, and paying for parking). Recommended energizing route: steep walk up 16th (south, away from the river) to Lexington, turn left on Lexington which leads to Clatsop Community College buildings, go past college art gallery on the right to the end of the east parking area to a trail sign, take short marked trail (it comes out at a hillside path view of the Column, and leads to Column base).
More Information: Astoria Column
Cannon Beach Nature Trail - Cannon Beach
Location: Start at 2nd Street parking lot, near public restrooms, across from the park.
Why Go There? On windy beach days, or looking for quieter alternate route from downtown to mid-town, the nature trail is a pleasant level, paved-most-of the-way walk; passes through woods, lined with well-groomed wild blackberry vines, loops around water treatment plant.
More Information: Cannon Beach Trail Brochure
Neahkahnie Mountain Trail - south of Cannon Beach
Location: Highway 101 south of Seaside 20 miles (or north of Tillamook 28 miles) to brown hiker-symbol sign opposite Sunset Drive, between mileposts 41, 42. Turn east on gravel road for 0.4 mile, park.
Why Go There? Good workout view hike, roundtrip: three miles, 900 feet elevation gain or 10.2 miles, 1000 feet elevation gain, depending on starting point, route.
More Information: Respected author of several Oregon hiking books, William Sullivan's website offers great description.
Old Growth Cedar Wetlands Preserve - Rockaway Beach
Location: From highway 101 turn east on Washington Street, left on Island Street to trailhead.
Why Go There? Short one mile walk through 45 acre nature preserve; viewing platform around one of tallest regionally known old growth cedar trees.
More Information: Visit Rockaway Beach
Saddle Mountain - east of Cannon Beach
Location: North off of Highway 26, approximately 10 miles east of Cannon Beach
Distance: 5.8 miles, 1603 ft elevation gain, loss
Why Go There? On clear days a spectacular 360 degree view of mountains, ocean and forests; wildflowers during Spring, Summer. Trailhead has bathroom, parking. Very popular, expect to share trail.
More Information: Oregon State Parks + Saddle Mt Hikes
Munson Creek Falls - south of Tillamook
Location: From Highway 101, approximately seven miles south of Tillamook, at sign for Munson Creek Falls, turn east on Munson Creek Road (not in the best shape), drive a few miles to trailhead parking.
Distance: Short stroll (the trail is closed past where the waterfall is visible).
Why Go There? Munson Creek Falls tumbles 319 feet, the tallest waterfall in the Coast Range. A short few minutes stroll from the parking lot (no bathroom), path winds along Munson creek to reach view of the waterfall. Upper trail blocked off (June, 2016 visit).
More Information: no accurate up-to-date information found on-line
Additional Resources
Astoria Parks - Astoria
Local trails
Kilchis Point - Tillamook
Kilchis Point Reserve trail