Cannon Beach Hiking Tour on the Oregon Coast
Description
The Oregon Coast is an experience like no other and our guides have selected a quieter, slower approach to the day: a visit to Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach; hikes through old-growth forests to views beyond what the common tourist sees; up-close encounters with the iconic monoliths that make the Oregon Coast so unusual; a lunch stop in a sweet beach town; recommendations for our favorite cinnamon rolls, pie or ice cream; sand (if you want it) between your toes. Day tours can feel long but ours feels more like a just-right exploration with plenty of time to sit however you like with the majesty of the ocean -- or spend most of your time wandering in the forest as you listen to waves crash beneath you. If you choose to walk with us in the forest, your day will include some short but steep low-elevation incline hiking.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The drive to the Oregon Coast is through the luscious county and state forests of Oregon and over two Coastal Range mountain passes. We may stop at a scenic viewpoint, weather permitting.
Visiting Cannon Beach is an extraordinary highlight of any coastal visit; from stunning beaches with dramatic features to rainforests to salt water taffy shops, art galleries and seafood restaurants: this town has it all. We'll chat about the history -- why Cannon and not "Cannons" beach? -- and the peoples of the Clatsop tribe and other coastal people, like the Salish, who were here before the cannons and taffy. We'll make recommendations for lunch. We'll give you lots of time to explore.
The extraordinary rock that was a feature of several films, including the 1980s The Goonies, is also home to many seabirds. We will visit close enough for some great photos -- the rock itself is off limits as a sensitive nesting area for murres and tufted puffins.
Ecola is a unique landscape, a coastal rainforest with old growth Sitka spruce and Western hemlock trees, countless ferns and berry plants, and wild life right on the edge of Cannon Beach. We'll spend some time here, long enough for a hike up to the viewpoint overlooking another movie filming location -- beach scenes from the Twilight movie were filmed here. If desired, you'll hike from 1-3 miles (2-5 km) in the forest at Ecola.
This gorgeous beach featured in several movies, including Twilight and Point Break. We'll visit it either as the destination of a hike or as a special stop, depending on weather and the group.
The Tillamook State Forest is part of the many county and state forests we pass through on the way back home from the Oregon Coast. If you're feeling alert, you'll notice lots of the flowers and trees that we learned about at the coast, plus lots of species that don't grow as big anywhere but here in the relatively higher elevation mountain passes.
The logging museum on the way to and from the Oregon Coast is a favorite stop for gawking at old tractors and equipment, grabbing a gift at the eclectic gift shop, and if desired, trying one of their famous enormous cinnamon rolls.
We'll stop at this iconic viewpoint, weather permitting, for the stunning views of Manzanita Beach below
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- contact us about infant accommodations
- the hiking options require ability to manage short but steep inclines; travelers with health concerns should consider that
Reviews(17)
Shannon was an amazing guide. Her mellow personality mixed with her vast knowledge and passion for the area made for a highly memorable day. We got to sit back and relax while driving through the lush hemlock and fir forest all the way to the coast. Having a guide made the trip seem effortless. There is no way we would have known to make certain stops or learn the history of these places on our own. Shannon offered us plenty of breaks and, even though the day was long, it flew by without exhausting us.
We could not have asked for a better day! Weather was absolutely perfect for being on the beach and our guide Shannon went above and beyond to show us everything and give us plenty of background information without overloading us. She was funny and personable and made the trip very relaxing and enjoyable.
Beautiful trip! The tour guide was well educated and had a lot of good information. Loved the views - not a lot of hiking except across the beach!
The tour guide Carrie was great. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour group was very small, so we each could ask questions along the way and get them answered. The timing at each location was great and Carrie determined it would be best to visit haystack rock after lunch due to the tide timing. We were all glad she made that call because we got to experience the tide pools near the base of haystack and gained additional knowledge. This was definitely worth the money and time.
Such a great tour of the beaches! So beautiful! Carrie is such a great guide—so friendly, with all kinds of tips for things to see, what to eat (and not, on the trail), and lots of fun historical and local culture facts. She was very accommodating for all of us—even when we were slightly late, because we just didn’t quite want to leave the beach yet. If you can, try to check out the seastars and anemones in the tide pools near Haystack Rock.
Our tour guide Carrie was great. The tour was small ao we were able to ask specific questions along the way. Enough time was allowed at each location. I highly recommend this tour.
This was such a wonderful trip!! Carrie was an awesome guide who made us all feel like we were out with a friend for the day. I am not in the best shape and some of the hills slowed me down, but everything was doable and my group and Carrie were so patient and kind. And it was totally worth it for the beautiful views!!!
Our tour guide Carrie was super knowledgeable about Oregon, and this is the second tour I went with her. The sceneries are absolutely stunning, and you can get really tasty fish and chips locally at Tom’s during the lunch break. 10/10 would highly recommend.
Carrie was amazing - she gave us insider tips and was kind and friendly. Loved all the mini hikes. Beautiful! We saw a lot in a short amount of time.
Carrie was the best tour guide! She was kind and friendly from the second I arrived. I loved her knowledge of plants as we hiked as well as continuous Oregon history facts along our dive. She was very hospitable and made the day fly by! Thanks Carrie!
