Castle Rock
​Hike details:
Mileage: 2 miles round trip w/ 630 ft. elevation gain (from upper trailhead to summit)
4 miles round trip w/ 1,234 ft. elevation gain (from where the trail crosses NF-2639)
11.7 miles out and back w/ 3,000 ft. elevation gain (from King's Castle trailhead)
Approximate hike time: 52 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph (from upper trailhead to summit)
1 hour 44 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph (from where the trail crosses NF-2639)
5 hours w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph (from King's Castle trailhead)
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Trail usage: Low traffic for the longer hike, medium traffic only on weekends for the shorter hike
Highest elevation: 3,808 ft. Lowest elevation: 1,194 ft.
General location: 50 miles east of Eugene - Willamette National Forest
Accessible: March through December
(Best time to go is end of March, April and May when all the foliage is very green and lush, and early June if you want to see the Rhododendrons blooming).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: No
Trail allows: Dogs, horses, mountain bikes
Possible dangers: Steep drop offs at the summit
4 miles round trip w/ 1,234 ft. elevation gain (from where the trail crosses NF-2639)
11.7 miles out and back w/ 3,000 ft. elevation gain (from King's Castle trailhead)
Approximate hike time: 52 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph (from upper trailhead to summit)
1 hour 44 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph (from where the trail crosses NF-2639)
5 hours w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph (from King's Castle trailhead)
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Trail usage: Low traffic for the longer hike, medium traffic only on weekends for the shorter hike
Highest elevation: 3,808 ft. Lowest elevation: 1,194 ft.
General location: 50 miles east of Eugene - Willamette National Forest
Accessible: March through December
(Best time to go is end of March, April and May when all the foliage is very green and lush, and early June if you want to see the Rhododendrons blooming).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: No
Trail allows: Dogs, horses, mountain bikes
Possible dangers: Steep drop offs at the summit
(King's Castle trailhead parking area)
Description:
Castle Rock is a wonderful forested hike near Blue River which leads you up to a rocky outcropping where you can see views of the McKenzie valley as well as the Three Sisters and Mount Washington. There are three different hike length options for this trail (2 miles, 4 miles or 11.7 miles), making this viewpoint accessible to everyone.
If you decide to do the 11.7 mile hike, you will start at the King's Castle trailhead. It can be a little bit confusing because Kings Rd. has a lot of houses along it and all of a sudden in between these houses is the trailhead. But there is a sign, so you can't miss it on the right side of the road. The trail starts off with 3.7 miles through very lush, dense old growth forest. Here the trail goes slightly uphill at a very gentle grade. This section part of the hike is incredible, there are huge trees, lots of ferns and mushrooms that you see along the way that will definitely keep your eyes occupied and entertained as you gain 1,490 feet of elevation.
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Keep in mind that if it has recently rained, this section of the trail can leave you with wet legs and feet due to all of the low vegetation that is often encroaching on the trail. Gators or some lightweight waterproof pants are highly recommended. After hiking 3.4 miles you will come to a gravel road which you cross and continue along the trail. This is where you could also start from if you wanted to do a shorter hike (4 miles round trip). From this point on, the forest opens up a bit and the trees get smaller and more sparse, letting in a bit more light as you traverse the south side of the hill.
After the trail crosses the road, continue on 0.5 miles until you come to a trail junction. To the left the Castle Rock Trail goes all the way to the O'Leary trailhead which is most often used by mountain bikers. You will continue straight on and head up some steep switchbacks. At this point the surroundings change dramatically, going from rainforest-like conditions to a very dry forest, even in the winter time. The forest floor is crunchy with dried pine needles and there is little to no ground cover. |
(switchbacks)
(castle-like rock formations)
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From the trail junction sign you will go up 3 switchbacks and after 0.5 miles you will see another trail junction. This is where the trail from the upper Castle Rock trailhead connects. If you are only wanting to hike 2 miles round trip, you would start your hike here. From this point you have another mile to go until you get to the top. You will gain a total of 630 feet of elevation and there are a total of 14 switchbacks. Along the way there are cool rock formations that partially resemble a castle (use your imagination!)
The top of Castle Rock recently opened up a bit since they put a solar weather station up there. The first view you get you can see the Three Sisters to the east. The trail continues around some bushes to a wonderful flat rock sitting area (where there once was a lookout hut and now there is a weather station). Here you get an amazing view to the west of the McKenzie valley (which burned in 2020) and Cougar Reservoir. 
(North, Middle and South Sister)
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(view of The Husband and South Sister from the Castle Rock summit)
The summit is truly a wonderful spot, and one of the few viewpoint hikes that stays relatively snow-free most of the year. You can often still do this hike in December and again as early as March. Enjoy some winter sunshine at the top and admire the stunning madrone trees and the incredible views. The damage from the Holiday Farm fire is a bleak reminder of the brutally hot and dry summer and then the September windstorm in 2020. The fire destroyed entire towns as well as 173,393 acres of forest.
(madrone trees at the summit)
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(view to the west of Cougar Reservoir)
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Castle Rock is an excellent hike, perfect for those who want to train for longer miles and elevation gain in the spring, as well as folks who want a short hike with an epic view! If you are hiking with children, take it slow, as the trail does get a little loose and rocky the closer you get to the top, but other than that this trail is very well maintained and generally has great trail tread. The only reason that the shorter version of this hike is rated 'moderate' is because you do gain 630 feet of elevation in just 1 mile!
(McKenzie valley after the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire)
Directions:
From Eugene
- For the shorter hike- Drive OR-126 east for 45 miles. Between milepost 45 and 46 turn right at the Cougar Reservoir pointer. After 0.5 miles on Road 19 keep left at the fork onto Powerhouse Rd. After 0.4 miles turn left onto Kings Road 2639 for half a mile**. Then turn right onto Road 480/O'Leary Rd. and drive 5.8 miles uphill on this gravel road to its end. Here you will see a turn-around and the shorter 3 mile trail begins. **For the longer hike- stay on Kings Rd. and drive an extra 1.3 miles, and park at the Kings Castle trailhead on your right. (Total of 54.8 miles)
- Drive US-97 north then take exit 135A to merge onto US-20 W toward Sisters Salem. Stay on US-20 for 45 miles, then at a fork keep left to stay on US-20 W and stay on this road for 3.3 miles. Turn left onto OR-126 E for 25.6 miles. Turn left at the Cougar Reservoir pointer. After 0.5 miles on Road 19 keep left at the fork onto Powerhouse Rd. After 0.4 miles turn left onto Kings Road 2639 for half a mile**. Then turn right onto Road 480/O'Leary Rd. and drive 5.8 miles uphill on this gravel road to its end. Here you will see a turn-around and the shorter 3 mile trail begins. **For the longer hike- stay on Kings Rd. and drive an extra 1.3 miles, and park at the Kings Castle trailhead on your right. (Total of 86.4 miles)
- It is a total of 116 miles via Eugene.
- It is a total of 159 miles via Eugene.
- It is a total of 218 miles via Eugene.
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To get a more in-depth and personal view of this hike, watch the YouTube video.
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-This trail write-up was last updated March 2021-
*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.
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