Cascade Head
​Hike details:
Mileage: 5 miles round trip w/ 1,200 ft. elevation gain from lower trailhead
2 miles round trip w/ 167 ft. elevation gain from upper trailhead
Approximate hike time: 2 hours 10 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph (via lower trailhead)
52 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph (via upper trailhead)
Difficulty: Moderate from lower trailhead, easy from upper trailhead
Trail usage: High on weekends, low on weekdays
Highest elevation: 1,280 ft. Lowest elevation: 13 ft.
General location: 56 miles west of Salem - Cascade Head Scenic Research Area - Siuslaw National Forest
Suggested seasons: Spring, summer, fall, winter
The upper trailhead is closed from January 1 - July 15.
(Best time to go is May and June for prime wildflowers, December and January for often incredibly warm weather).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes at the lower trailhead, no pit toilet at the upper trailhead
Trail allows: NO DOGS
Possible dangers: Narrow trail
2 miles round trip w/ 167 ft. elevation gain from upper trailhead
Approximate hike time: 2 hours 10 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph (via lower trailhead)
52 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph (via upper trailhead)
Difficulty: Moderate from lower trailhead, easy from upper trailhead
Trail usage: High on weekends, low on weekdays
Highest elevation: 1,280 ft. Lowest elevation: 13 ft.
General location: 56 miles west of Salem - Cascade Head Scenic Research Area - Siuslaw National Forest
Suggested seasons: Spring, summer, fall, winter
The upper trailhead is closed from January 1 - July 15.
(Best time to go is May and June for prime wildflowers, December and January for often incredibly warm weather).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes at the lower trailhead, no pit toilet at the upper trailhead
Trail allows: NO DOGS
Possible dangers: Narrow trail
(Cascade Head lower trailhead parking)
|
Description:Cascade Head is one of the most popular trails along the northern Oregon coast, and for good reason. The views from this hike are stunning, and there is an abundance of flora and fauna found in this nature conservancy as well.
The trail from the lower trailhead starts at the Knight Park Day Use Area and there are no passes or fees required to park here for the day. You will walk on a trail along the road for almost half a mile, then when the road splits, you will cross the road and start going uphill. This trail follows another road for 0.2 miles, then you will cross the road one final time before coming to a large Cascade Head trail sign. |
|
Here you will enter the Nature Conservancy which means there are no dogs or bikes allowed. Make sure to pack out any trash as well as toilet paper.
|
The trail ambles through a beautiful forest for about half a mile, where you will see an abundance of ferns, mosses and mushrooms. Then the trail cuts along the side of the hill, through some very tall bushes and over a large creek via a very sturdy bridge. Once you leave the bushes, the views open up and you can see Cascade Head towering above you as well as the blue Pacific Ocean beyond.
(The Penacle)
At the 1.8 mile mark, you will see a small user trail that goes off to the left over to what is called The Penacle. The main trail continues up the hill as you start the switchbacks. There are a total of 14 switchbacks over the next 0.75 miles, as you gain 300 feet of elevation. In May and June this whole hillside will be covered in a variety of wildflowers and if you catch this hike early in the morning, you can frequently see a herd of elk grazing.
(view to the south)
(Salmon River estuary)
|
When you arrive at the summit, you can sit on the grassy knoll and enjoy the views and oftentimes during the winter months, some glorious sunshine. Please do not stray off the main trail, as this is fragile habitat to many critters as well as plants.
If you want to do the shorter trail, you will start from the upper trailhead. There is not a lot of parking here, maybe room for 3-4 cars. There is an informational sign and off you go through the forest. |
(Cascade Head upper trailhead)
The entire trail is almost completely level and very wide, as you walk through a stunning forest with lots of ferns and some wildflowers in the spring. This shorter trail to the summit is very different than the longer trail because it is entirely in the forest until you get to the top, whereas the longer trail offers a partially forest trail and then takes you through the beautiful meadows with lots of ocean views. The shorter trail is definitely more family friendly though and is perfect if you are hiking with little kids. The longer trail is very steep, can be muddy and slippery and the trail is also very narrow. From the upper trailhead it is exactly 1 mile to the summit of Cascade Head.
(trail from the upper trailhead)
Cascade Head offers one of the most spectacular views on the entire northern Oregon Coast. Whether you do the short or long trail, this hike will not disappoint, especially if you go on a clear day. The expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, make you feel like you're on top of the world, and you can see for miles down the coastline. In late spring you will find an abundance of flowers along the hillside and you can also frequently see elk and other animals here because this area is a Nature Conservancy.
The longer trail is rated as moderate due to the elevation gain and because the trail is narrow, steep and can be slippery at times. The short trail is rated as easy and is extremely family friendly.
**Remember to leave your pup at home when hiking at Cascade Head.
The longer trail is rated as moderate due to the elevation gain and because the trail is narrow, steep and can be slippery at times. The short trail is rated as easy and is extremely family friendly.
**Remember to leave your pup at home when hiking at Cascade Head.
Directions:
From Salem to lower trailhead
- Drive on OR-22 W for a total of 25.6 miles, then merge onto OR-18 W/OR-22 W for another 26.3 miles. **Merge onto US-101 N via the ramp to Tillamook/Astoria for 1.2 miles, then turn left onto N 3 Rocks Rd. for 2.3 miles and find the trailhead parking on your left. (Total of 56.6 miles)
- **Merge onto US-101 N for a total of 3.9 miles, then turn left onto Cascade Head Rd./NF-1861 for 2.5 miles and find the very small trailhead on your left. (Total of 59.2 miles)
- Drive I-5 S for a total of 6.3 miles, then take exit 294 to merge onto OR-99W S/SW Barbur Blvd/Pacific Hwy W toward Tigard/Newberg for 5.3 miles. In Sherwood keep right to stay on OR-99W S/Pacific Hwy W for 9.5 miles, then turn left onto N Springbrook Rd. for 1 mile. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto OR-219 S then turn right onto OR-18/Newberg Dundee Bypass for 4.1 miles. Use the right 2 lanes to turn slightly right onto the State Hwy 18/State Hwy 99W for 3.2 miles. Turn left onto OR-18 W/OR-233 S for 52.1 miles, then **merge onto US-101 N via the ramp to Tillamook/Astoria for 1.2 miles, then turn left onto N 3 Rocks Rd. for 2.3 miles and find the trailhead parking on your left. (Total of 86.5 miles)
- **Merge onto US-101 N for a total of 3.9 miles, then turn left onto Cascade Head Rd./NF-1861 for 2.5 miles and find the very small trailhead on your left. (Total of 89.1 miles)
- Total of 122 miles via Salem.
- Total of 125 miles via Salem.
- Total of 188 miles via Salem.
- Total of 191 miles via Salem.
- Total of 286 miles via Salem.
- Total of 288 miles via Salem.
-This trail write-up was last updated May, 2022-
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: The trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.