Cape Sebastian Oregon.mp4

The Cape Escape

Hike Cape Sebastian to Hunters Cove on the Oregon Coast

Hikers on Cape Sebastian Coastal Trail on the Oregon Coast near Gold Beach

This hike on Cape Sebastian brings together several of the Oregon Coast’s best features: mossy green forests, tremendous coastline views, marine mammals, and for the adventurous—a wide-open secluded beach that’s hike-in only.

Hikers enjoying the wide open beach of Hunters Cove that you hike into on the Cape Sebastian Trail on the Oregon Coast

It’s 6 miles (round-trip) starting in a forest of Sitka spruce and eventually opening up to impressive views of the Southern Oregon coast. The expansiveness of vistas on clear days here is incredible. This is an excellent hike for whale sightings, and you’re likely to see plenty of seals in the rocky coves below. Keep an eye out for bald eagles too.

When you get to the beach entrance of Hunters Cove, you’ll have to use the rope and railing to lower yourself to the sand. The last section has slack rope and the best way to go down it (from our experience) is backwards, and slowly. In other words, your butt should face the beach as you make your way down using the rope.

A woman crosses over some rocks at Hunters Cove hike-in beach at Cape Sebastian on the Oregon Coast

Hunters Cove is, like so much of this state, vast and wild and beautiful. You’ll easily spot Hunters Island out in the sea.

Trailhead: This hike starts from the Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor in the south parking area. It is an out-and-back adventure.

Discover Oregon's 7 Distinct Regions and Get More Trip Ideas

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Hidden Botanical Garden

    Forget a dozen roses. Give your love a botanical garden. Hidden on the western slope of Sonoma Valley’s Mayacamas Mountains, Sonoma Botanical Garden has one of the Bay Area’s best displays of Asian flora—and it’s a brilliant place for a quiet picnic and some calming contemplations.

    View
  2. Sunnyvale and Salty

    For up-close bird watching, it’s hard to beat a walk along the San Francisco Bay. This 5-mile loop on the Sunnyvale coast is a favorite of local wildlife photographers.

    View
  3. A man takes a break at a temple spot on a hike at Dragon Mountain in Milptas

    Dragon Quest

    The newly reopened, 4-mile out-and-back hike at Dragon Mountain in Milpitas mixes the physical with the spiritual for a serene hiking experience.

    View
  4. woman hiking Buck Gulch Falls Novato

    Buck Wild!

    Tucked back beyond the residential ranch-style homes and golf courses of Novato in the North Bay is a wild and wondrous 30-foot waterfall that springs to life in the rainy season. Buck Gulch Falls in Novato’s Ignacio Valley Preserve is in peak flow right now, and it’s a short and Middle-earthy hike to reach it.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. Right now there's a banner and bonus view of a rare lake formation that appears only after big rains.

    View
  2. Keough's Hot Springs

    Soaking Up History

    When you slide into the soothing water of Keough’s Hot Springs, you’re bathing in a piece of Owens Valley history.

    View
  3. It's a Waterfall Life

    Tahquitz Canyon’s crystalline stream and lush stands of desert lavender, honey mesquite, and leafy sycamores is home to an easy day hike with a big bonus: a 60-foot waterfall that runs with remarkable gusto after winter rains.

    View
  4. Grover Hot Springs

    State Park Soaker

    Set in an alpine meadow at 6,000 feet and surrounded by the 10,000-foot granite peaks of the Sierra, Grover Hot Springs State Park—just outside the town of Markleeville—has its very own hot springs.

    View