Oregon’s most photographed lighthouse is open for tours—but only if you’re willing to hike.  Fortunately, the trails here are easy and spectacular.

Heceta Head (say huh-SEE-tuh) honors Bruno de Heceta, the Portuguese captain of a Spanish ship, who first sighted the cape in 1775. The lighthouse here was the last of Oregon’s dozen coastal lighthouses to be built. Bricks for the tower were shipped from San Francisco to Florence and hauled over the hills on wagons. The 2-ton Fresnel lens, with 640 delicate, hand-ground prisms, was off-loaded onto the cape by surf boat. 

For the shortest trail to the lighthouse, take Highway 101 . . .

For a longer loop hike that visits a beach and a . . .

Other Options

For a longer hike,  . . .

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes : Oregon Coast