The Cape Falcon Trail is one of the finest headland day hikes on the entire north Oregon Coast, and it sits squarely on the route of the Oregon Coast Trail 5-day itinerary. Tucked inside Oswald West State Park between Manzanita and Cannon Beach, the trail threads through old-growth Sitka spruce and salal before opening onto a windswept point with sweeping views back toward Neahkahnie Mountain and Smuggler Cove. If you only have time for one walk in this stretch, make it this one.
Trail Stats and What to Expect
The out-and-back hike from the Short Sand Beach trailhead to the tip of Cape Falcon runs roughly 4.8 miles round trip with about 600 feet of cumulative gain. It is rated easy to moderate. The first stretch parallels Short Sand Creek through dense temperate rainforest, then climbs gently onto the cape itself. Near the end you push through a tunnel of salal and waist-high brush before the trees fall away and the headland drops to the surf below.
- Distance: about 4.8 miles round trip to the point
- Elevation gain: roughly 600 feet
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, mostly gentle grades
- Surface: soft dirt, exposed roots, often muddy after rain
- Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace
Getting There and Parking
The main trailhead is the Short Sand Beach parking area off US Highway 101, about 10 miles north of Manzanita and 14 miles south of Cannon Beach. There are two lots on either side of the highway connected by a pedestrian underpass. The lots fill fast on summer weekends, often by mid-morning, so arrive early or visit on a weekday. There is no day-use fee here, which is rare for an Oregon Coast park this popular. Restrooms are available near the beach trail junction.
Best Time to Hike Cape Falcon
You can hike Cape Falcon year-round, but conditions change dramatically by season. Late spring through early fall (May to October) brings the driest trail and the clearest ocean views. Summer mornings often start with marine fog that burns off by midday, so a late-morning start can reward you with sun at the point. Winter is moody and beautiful but expect mud, downed limbs, and serious wind exposure on the headland. Whale-watching peaks during the gray whale migrations in late December and again in March.
Combine It With Short Sand Beach
Most hikers pair Cape Falcon with a stop at Short Sand Beach, locally called Shorty's, a protected cove that is a legendary cold-water surf spot. From the same trailhead, a short downhill spur leads to the sand. It is the perfect spot to eat lunch, watch surfers in the lineup, and let kids explore the driftwood and creek mouth before or after the climb to the cape.
What to Bring
The Oregon Coast weather flips quickly, so layers are essential even in July. Pack a waterproof shell, traction-friendly footwear for muddy roots, and water. The exposed point can be 15 degrees cooler and far windier than the sheltered forest below.
- Waterproof jacket and a warm midlayer
- Hiking shoes with grip for slick roots and mud
- Water and snacks for the round trip
- Binoculars for whales and seabirds offshore
Where Cape Falcon Fits on a Longer Trip
Cape Falcon is a natural anchor for a multi-day coastal trip. It connects beautifully with Neahkahnie Mountain to the south and the beaches of Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock to the north. Our 5-day Oregon Coast Trail itinerary stitches these headlands together into one continuous adventure, with logistics for parking, lodging, and which segments to walk on each day.
Cape Falcon Trail, Oswald West FAQs
The hike is about 4.8 miles round trip from the Short Sand Beach trailhead to the tip of Cape Falcon, with roughly 600 feet of elevation gain. Plan on 2.5 to 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace.
No. Parking at the Short Sand Beach lots is free, which is unusual for a popular Oregon Coast park. The lots fill quickly on summer weekends, so arrive early or visit on a weekday.
May through October offers the driest trail and clearest ocean views. Summer mornings often start foggy and clear by midday. Winter is dramatic but muddy and windy, with great gray whale watching in late December and March.
