Cape Falcon Trail & Overlook
Cape Falcon Trail, a moderately challenging 4.5-mile out-and-back trail located in Oswald West State Park between Manzanita and Cannon Beach, Oregon, is a popular choice for hikers seeking breathtaking ocean views. The trail is mostly level and wide, meandering through lush, green vegetation and offering glimpses of the ocean through the trees. Hikers can enjoy the shade provided by the thick canopy of trees and the refreshing ocean breeze as they make their way to the Cape Falcon Lookout. From the lookout, on a clear day, visitors can see north to Tillamook Head and south to Cape Lookout. However, reaching the lookout can sometimes be challenging due to overgrown vegetation or obstacles along the trail.
Challenges:
Some sections of this trail, especially near the lookout, get narrow, with thick bushes on either side.
There are a few stream crossings, but they are easy to get to with stones to step on or bridges in place.
Some sections offer wooden platforms to walk on, but these are not necessary.
There are areas at the overlook that offer different views, but many are very difficult to navigate, so be mindful of your abilities.
Equipment:
Water
Snack
Sunscreen (optional)
Bug Repellent (recommended)
Hat (optional)
Good, broken-in hiking boots or shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing
This hike was incredible. I don’t think I’ve been on one quite like it. A small parking area near the trailhead is good if you plan to follow the there-and-back trail. However, if you plan to return from Blumenthal Falls and Short Sand Beach, I recommend parking at the main parking area for Short Sand Beach and hiking the 100 yards, crossing Short Sand Creek Bridge, to the trailhead.
Because this is the Oregon Coast, the trail is lush with green vegetation in every direction. Coming from the high plains deserts of Southern Idaho, it is remarkable. Having visited the forests of Idaho numerous times, it is still impressive to see this much vegetation. We were taken aback as we walked through the trees, the large leafy plants, and the ferns that filled almost every available space left to them. It was such a fantastic system for supporting life with seemingly little effort.
The trail is almost entirely shaded by the thickly wooded canopy above, making a warm day more bearable, especially when the cool ocean breeze rolls in. Whenever we felt the breeze, we would pause and breathe deeply with arms outstretched, eyes closed. We could feel life surge through us.
Along this trail, an occasional creek appears, breaking up the seemingly endless vegetation. Small creeks have stepping stones, while larger ones have bridges spanning them. Great moments to pause for a water break and take in the beauty where you stand.
The further along the trail you hike, the closer you get to the ocean. Soon, you will have ocean views peeking through the tall trunks of trees. A constant breeze from the ocean sweeps over you. It is magical.
As you approach the Cape Falcon Lookout, you’ll reach a part of the trail that passes between thick bushes on either side, stretching several feet along the trail. The last time we tried this hike, we had to stop here. There were no obstacles this time, and we discovered we were only 50 feet from the overlook area's beginning.
This is where the view opens up. You find yourself at the top of a cliff, falling a few hundred feet to the Pacific Ocean, stretching before you to the horizon. The trail leads along this cliff, with some areas leading down to points that provide unique views. These side trails can be pretty treacherous, so mind your footing and know your abilities. Do NOT attempt more than you can handle. If it is difficult going down, returning will be more difficult, which is a general rule you may want to remember. Take in the views and the ocean breeze, but shade is minimal here. If you brought a hat, wear it, but make sure it fits snuggly on your head or can be tied down. The wind can be quite fierce here, and if your hat flies off, you will be lucky if you can recover it.
On the hike back, you can follow the trail you took, diverge where indicated in the AllTrails app (image above), or take the more treacherous path down along Blumenthal Falls. The latter two options will take you to Short Sands Beach. I highly recommend visiting this beach. When the tide is out, there are tide pools to explore, and you can walk around the base of Blumenthal Falls. The beach is gorgeous, with lots of room to play in the sand, hang out in the shade near the edge of the sand, and watch or join the surfers in the water. You may need to watch out for the sand fleas; they bite. They may or may not be active depending on the time of year.
Summary
Cape Falcon Trail and Overlook is a must-experience hiking trail along the Oregon Coast. The trail is magnificent, the views incredible, and the optional Short Sands Beach is a huge bonus. Now that we have completed the hike and enjoyed the final destination, we can genuinely recommend this hike to anyone who wants to experience an excellent day-long activity. My ultimate recommendation: Do the hike in the morning, return to the car and retrieve a picnic lunch, hike to Short Sand Beach, and spend the rest of the day in this little cove of paradise. Leave your cares behind and enjoy this wonderfully scenic wonderland.
