Hiking the Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail on the Oregon Coast
Distance: 3.0 miles / 4.8 km
The Heceta Head Lighthouse, on the central Oregon Coast, is a historic lighthouse built in 1894 atop a rugged 1,000-ft. (305 m) high headland. The lighthouse, which was originally constructed to guide mariners along the treacherous Oregon coastline, can be visited today in either one of two ways.
First, there is the option to drive directly to the paid parking area at Heceta Beach and walk the short path to the lighthouse, or you can hike the fairly easy Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail, as shown in this post.
That said, I recommend hiking the Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail not only because it’s free, but also because it offers stunning views of both Heceta and Hobbit Beach—views that simply can’t be seen without hiking the trail.
Heceta Head Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail is located at the Hobbit Trailhead on the side of Highway 101 just before Heceta Beach if you’re driving south.
Google Maps Directions: Heceta Head Lighthouse Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Oregon Coast
Black bears can be found up and down the Oregon Coast, but hiking with or without bear spray is truly up to your own discretion and comfort level when adventuring in black bear territory.
Furthermore, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike on the Oregon Coast.
Bear Spray & Holster - If you aren’t flying, don’t rent bear spray! It’s a waste of money. Prepare ahead of time by buying your own, as this may be one of the most important items on this list.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail
The Heceta Head Trail start across the highway from the parking area shown in the photos above.
Immediately after starting the hike, the trail will split for both the Heceta Lighthouse and Hobbit Beach Trails.
Go left to reach the lighthouse only 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the trailhead.
The Heceta Lighthouse Trail will climb a few sets of stairs, but the hills on the hike were always very mild.
Hobbit Beach Overlook
At about 0.8 miles (1.3 km) into the hike, the view opens up to the north, revealing the beautiful Hobbit Beach down below.
Shortly after the Hobbit Beach overlook, the Heceta Head Trail will start descending a number of switchbacks all the way until the lighthouse.
Heceta Lighthouse
In my experience, the Heceta Lighthouse only had a few visitors in the early morning, but it made for a very quiet visit at an otherwise popular location.
Know that unlike other lighthouses on the Oregon Coast, the Heceta Lighthouse is not open to the public.
More Oregon Coast Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing Oregon Coast adventures, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
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Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
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Safety
Overall, the Oregon Coast has a fairly mild climate year-round, with beautiful summers and temperatures that seldom get below the upper 30s come winter.
That being said, there are a few things to know before venturing out on some of the many trails along the coast.
First, Pacific Poison-oak is found on trails up and down the Oregon Coast, which is why it’s important to learn how to identify it before hiking any trail.
Additionally, there are black bears on the Oregon Coast, and while hiking in black bear territory usually presents less danger compared to grizzlies, hiking with bear spray is never a bad idea. However, it’s really up to your own discretion and comfort level.
Disclaimer
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