Cascade Head

This is one of the truly astounding places on the Oregon Coast. It has impressive views and is home to an endangered species of butterfly and at least two rare plants the Cascade Head Catchfly and the Hairy Stemmed Checkermallow.


The hike has recently been extended when the trail head was moved south to Knight Park. The first part of the trail is rather dull as you walk a path of woods from Three Rocks Road. Cross the road and you'll find the path headed north on the shoulder of Savage Road. The trail descends from the road for a bit onto a wooden bridge, then parallels the road through the trees. At the crest of a hill the path crosses the road and becomes the west shoulder of the road. A sign at the bottom of the hill marks the trailhead, where the trail leaves the road forever…..


With the roadside hike over and done with, things start to get interesting quickly. You'll climb steeply, sometimes on stairs and I mean stairs, through an old growth coastal forest. Doug Fir and spruce populate the area. You'll climb about 270 feet in the first 2/10 of a mile to a grove of trees. The climb eases here or does it?


The trail crosses a couple of small streams on five new bridges. Then you'll cross Teal Creek on a completely treed in bridge and then start climbing again.


After a couple hundred of feet or so you will break free of the forest and enter the headland meadow. The views are instantly tremendous to the south.


There's a small grove of trees but do not worry within minutes the headland comes back…


The trail traverses along the ridge at about the 500 foot level, finally coming to a view north, of the Pacific. From here, the trail switches back to begin climbing the slope and when I say slope I mean a slope. After several switchbacks, it levels out somewhat at the 1200 foot level to an upper viewpoint.

Hike is 7 Miles Round Trip