If you are searching for a coastal hike with breathtaking ocean views, emerald forest paths, and fascinating historical markers, the Tillamook Head trail at Ecola State Park is one of those iconic paths to add to your itinerary. This stretch of the Oregon Coast has drawn hikers for decades. The route connects Seaside to Cannon Beach and follows the same rugged headland that early explorers, the famed Lewis and Clark, once crossed. Along the way, you’ll be walking in their footsteps!
The Tillamook Head trail offers options depending on your skill level and the distance you want to go. Many visitors start near Seaside and hike toward Indian Beach, while others begin inside Ecola State Park for a shorter out-and-back experience. Either way, you will move through a dense coastal forest filled with Sitka spruce and ferns before reaching viewpoints that open up to the Pacific. With plenty of beautiful places to take a break and rest, the Oregon Coast Trail is such a lovely place to spend some time on your vacation. It’s one of many fantastic things to do on the Oregon Coast!
Before you start planning your hiking excursions near Cannon Beach, you’ll want to book your lodging, and our Oregon Coast Hotel is one of the most elegant options. Located in Arch Cape, a sleepy section of Highway 101, you’ll be set back from the action but in the ideal place to find all of the best things to do on the Oregon Coast nearby. Our quiet, adults-only hotel offers amenities similar to a B&B, including a wonderful, freshly prepared breakfast included in your stay. Book your room at our castle on the coast today!
The Tillamook Head trail is a traverse that runs roughly six miles one way between Seaside and Ecola State Park. The hike takes you more than a thousand feet up, winding through an old-growth forest of mixed hardwoods, spruce, and hemlock trees. For those staying at our Oregon Coast Hotel, Ecola State Park is just minutes from our front door, although most hikers begin this trek from the Seaside side, where the Tillamook Head trail starts with a steady climb.
The first stretch gains elevation quickly as you leave the edge of town and move into thick coastal forest. Expect a wide, well-established path at the start, and the incline builds early. The trail levels out in sections, but it is a rolling hike, with frequent ups and downs. The forest is dense, with tall Sitka spruce, hemlock, and mossy surfaces. On foggy days, it’s particularly magical as you explore the Coastal terrain.
Around the midpoint of the Tillamook Head trail, you reach one of its most memorable features, the historic Hiker’s Camp. This area includes a three-sided wooden shelter built in the 1930s and a few tent sites. It is a common stopping point, whether you are hiking the full traverse or doing a shorter out-and-back. Take a break here, have a snack, and enjoy the quiet. If you listen closely, you may hear the ocean in the distance, even though it’s not visible from this waypoint.
From the camp, a short offshoot leads to the Tillamook Head Lighthouse viewpoint. This detour is worth every step. The path narrows as it approaches the edge, and suddenly the forest opens to a dramatic view of the Pacific. Offshore, you will spot the Tillamook Head Lighthouse, also known as Terrible Tilly, perched on a rock, surrounded by waves and seabirds. There are many mysteries about this famed and notorious lighthouse on the Oregon Coast.
Back on the main trail, the route continues with more rolling terrain as you move toward Ecola State Park. Be aware that sections become muddier, especially after rain, and there are stretches where the trail narrows and feels more rugged. You will cross small wooden bridges and step over roots and uneven ground. Trekking poles can help here, especially on the descent toward the park.
As you get closer to Ecola State Park, the forest begins to thin in places, and you will catch glimpses of the coastline through the trees. The descent into the park can feel long, especially if your legs are already tired from the earlier climbs. Once you reach the Ecola State Park side, you have options. Many hikers finish at Indian Beach, where you can step out of the forest and onto the sand. Others continue to the main viewpoints within the park, where wide open views of the coastline and Haystack Rock come into view. Either way, the transition from dense forest to open ocean feels like a reward at the end of the hike.
At Arch Cape Inn, you are positioned just minutes from Ecola State Park and the Tillamook Head trail, which means you can start your day out on the trails in a flash. After your hike, our setting is quiet and refined, with thoughtful details that help you recharge. Soak in an oversized jetted tub or sit in the heat of a dry sauna. Comfortable guest rooms, welcoming common spaces, and a location that keeps you close to both Cannon Beach and Seaside, staying at our Oregon Coast Hotel makes it easy to plan each day.
Mornings begin with a fresh breakfast prepared with local ingredients. It’s a delectable start before you head out to explore all of the best attractions in Cannon Beach and beyond, and evenings offer a calm place to unwind after exploring the Tillamook Head Trail or other segments of the Oregon Coast Trail. If you’re planning a day of relaxation, you can do it right at our hotel, take advantage of our outdoor spaces, and enjoy a leisurely stroll at the nearby Arch Cape Beach. Book your lodging today!
Book our non-refundable rate by April 30. If your plans change, we’ll convert your booking into a non-expiring gift certificate.
