Like an unfinished dike to Hawaii, this narrow, cliff-edged cape juts 2 miles straight out into the Pacific Ocean. At the trailhead atop the cape, hikers have three choices: walk out to the viewpoint at the cape’s tip, descend to a secluded beach at the southern base of the cape, or amble north along the bluffs to the state park’s popular picnic area and campground. The trails have muddy spots unsuitable for tennis shoes.

The cape itself dates back 15 million years, when lava flows from Eastern Oregon poured down the Columbia River and fanned out. All along the northern Oregon Coast, tough remnants of that massive basalt flood have survived to form headlands and islands.

From downtown Tillamook, head . . .

Other Hiking Options

For a difficult trek from . . .

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes : Oregon Coast