Hiking the Lower Cascade Head Trail on the Oregon Coast
Distance: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km
The Lower Cascade Head Trail is one of the best hidden gems on the Oregon Coast—especially when hiked at sunset!
With that in mind, I personally only recommend hiking the Lower Cascade Head at sunset, as this is undoubtedly the best time to enjoy the trail, which is exactly when the photo below was taken.
All this to say, the Lower Cascade Head is easily one of my favorite things to do on the Oregon Coast, and it’s truly a secret that simply cannot compare to the popularity of the nearby God’s Thumb Trail in Lincoln City.
Lower Cascade Head Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Lower Cascade Head Trail is located in the same parking lot as the Knight County Park.
From here, the real trailhead is accessible on foot only, as parking on Savage Road is prohibited for at least the last 0.5 miles (0.8 km) leading up to the start of the trail.
Google Maps Directions: Lower Cascade Head 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 Lower Cascade Head Trail
This is the start of the Lower Cascade Head Trail beginning from Knight County Park.
From here, the trail parallels and crosses the road a number of times until it eventually reaches the true Cascade Head Trail, located about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) away.
Cascade Head Trailhead
The Cascade Head Trail will begin on the right-hand side of the road and will start climbing uphill immediately after the trailhead.
You may notice small trail markers, like the ones on the trees below.
Over the course of the hike, the Lower Cascade Head Trail crosses numerous bridges, which I think make great mental checkpoints if you plan on hiking back in the dark after sunset.
After about 1.3 miles (2.1 km), the Lower Cascade Head Trail breaks out of the trees, where the views only get better and better the higher you go!
Then, the trail will make a hard right turn up the Cascade Head, gaining about 400 ft. (122 m) until the most popular turnaround point for those only hiking the Lower Cascade Head.
Lower Cascade Head
As you move up toward the top of the Lower Cascade Head, the trail is more and more likely to get socked in by the clouds, as opposed to the neighboring God’s Thumb Trail, which is much lower.
Being the case, I decided to hike back down below the clouds, which ended up being one of the best sunsets I’ve seen along the Oregon Coast!
This iconic view to the south looks directly at God’s Thumb and Lincoln City just beyond.
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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