Cape Falcon Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

This trail is 2.5 miles each way for 5 miles out-and-back. Much of this trail is muddy for most of the year with lots of tall exposed roots. Great views of the ocean!

It is an easy to intermediate trail if you walk the 30-40% of it that requires very careful footing. It is a difficult trail if you run 100% of it.

From the Cape Falcon Trailhead (parking lot on the west side of Hwy 101), the trail is mostly dry with gentle inclines for the first mile. At around 0.75-mile mark, the intersection with the Short Sands Beach Trail is well marked, and you'll take a right to continue on to the Cape.

From this point on, the trail becomes muddier and has many long sections that require careful footing due to the mud and exposed tree roots. At 1.5 miles, you can see glimpses of the ocean and a great view down to Short Sands Beach. Just after mile 2, take a left at the unmarked fork (go right and you'll find yourself on the Oregon Coast Trail). The last 0.25 miles cuts through dense brush but opens up into a spectacular view (and very steep drop off) to the Pacific Ocean. There are three creek crossings—all have bridges—for your dog friends to lay down in if they are hot.

Old growth forest.