OCT Central Coast Trail Data

Continuing the journey, from Florence to Lincoln City

The central Oregon coast offers a diverse array of stunning vistas, as well as many charming cities and towns. Florence, Yachats, Newport, Depoe Bay, and Lincoln City are all great destinations in their own right, and between them is more amazing scenery. This page will help you construct precise plans for each day on the trail, including pinpointing areas to visit and to avoid. Combine these segments as you see fit!

To decide which areas to prioritize, refer to the following key:

Should I hike or should I bypass?

(Should be sung to the tune of “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”)

0 – You gonna die; do not attempt! For instance, walking on a curvy section of Highway 101 with no shoulder.
1 – You may not die, but you will at least soil yourself. For instance, walking along Highway 101 with no barrier.
2 –  Meh. Right near the highway, not scenic, etc.
3 –  Solid. This may not appear in your Instagram feed, but it’s safe and pleasant.
4 –  Really nice! Definitely worth doing.
5 –  SO WORTH IT OMG. You are doing this hike wrong if you don’t go here.

OCT Central Coast Trail Segments

Click on individual hike segments and destinations to learn more about them. There is some overlap between the hikes listed on this page and those listed in OCT South Coast Trail Data and OCT North Coast Trail Data. I did so intentionally because those areas bleed together a little bit, and I don’t want to force you to bounce between pages too much! Finally, please note: I hiked the OCT from south to north (northbound, or nobo, as the kids call it these days). As such, these segments are also organized from south to north.

Without further ado, let’s check out the hikes:

Waxmyrtle/Lagoon Campground to Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park
About 7 miles through the dunes, including beach access. Watch for ATVs. Rating: 4
Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park to Florence
4.5 miles along Highway 101, including a narrow bridge. Rating: 1
Florence to Siuslaw River South Jetty Trailhead
4.3 miles of roads, including a sketchy part of 101. Might as well get a ride. Rating: 1
Siuslaw River South Jetty
About 6 miles round trip. Ocean and river views, bird watching. Rating: 4
Siuslaw River South Jetty to Florence
4.3 miles of roads, including a sketchy part of 101. Might as well get a ride. Rating: 1
Florence: Harbor Vista County Campground to Siuslaw River North Jetty
About 1 mile on a twisty road with very little shoulder. On the plus side, not a lot of traffic. Rating: 2
Harbor Vista County Campground to Baker Beach Trailhead
About 6 miles along a relatively quiet beach. On clear days, you have a view of picturesque Heceta Head Lighthouse on the hillside in front of you. Rating: 5
Baker Beach Trailhead to Heceta Head State Scenic Viewpoint
4.6 miles on a precarious span of Highway 101 that includes a shoulder-less tunnel. DON’T DO IT! GET A RIDE! Rating: 0
Heceta Head State Scenic Viewpoint to Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park
Depending on your exact route, 5-6 miles of beautiful, varied coastal scenery. An absolute classic portion of the OCT. Not to be missed. Rating: 5
Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park to Cummins Creek Trailhead
7.7 miles on twisting Highway 101, in a section with no shoulder and sheer drop-offs. DON’T DO IT! GET A RIDE! Rating: 0
Cummins Creek Trailhead to Cape Perpetua Visitors’ Center
1.5 miles on a beautiful, forested path with occasional views of the ocean and rock formations. Rating: 5
Cape Perpetua Visitors’ Center to Devil’s Churn
A short side trip that is well worth your while. View the mesmerizing melding of rock and surf at the foot of Cape Perpetua. Rating: 5
Cape Perpetua Visitors’ Center to Beachside State Recreation Area via Amanda’s Trail
About 10 miles combining sheer beauty, tragic history, and a quirky coastal town. A classic portion of the OCT. Not to be missed. Rating: 5
Beachside State Recreation Area to Waldport
5 miles of continuous beach; the final mile is along Alsea Bay as you head into the charming town of Waldport. Rating: 4
Waldport to Driftwood State Recreation Site
3.1 miles on a narrow shoulder of Highway 101. There is supposedly beach access on the north side of Waldport, but it was hard to find a way to the ocean. Either do the beach or get a ride; this area sucked! Rating: 1
Driftwood State Recreation Site to Seal Rock State Recreation Site
3 miles of bliss! Continuous beach with stunning sea stacks at the end. Rating: 5
Seal Rock State Recreation Site to Newport
About 11 miles of amazing scenery. The only reason it isn’t a “5” is due to a couple tricky connections that may necessitate highway walking at the very start and very end. Rating: 4
South Beach State Park to Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site
Both are worthy destinations, but between them is an intimidating walk on 101. Rating: 1
Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site to Yaquina Head Lighthouse & Outstanding Natural Area
About 6 miles of beach and roads, beginning and ending at amazing spots. Look for agates in the middle! Rating: 4
Yaquina Head Lighthouse to Beverly Beach State Park
A mixture of trails, a quaint residential area, and beach, spanning about 4 miles. Sometimes impassable midway through, during really high tides. Rating: 4
Beverly Beach State Park to Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area
About 2 miles of beautiful beach, culminating at a stunning landmark. Rating: 4
Devil’s Punchbowl to Depoe Bay via Otter Crest Loop
About 6.5 miles of beautiful back roads with stunning ocean views. In the final stretch, you cross a Conde McCullough Bridge and pass by the famous Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center. Keep an eye out for whales! Rating: 4
Depoe Bay to Gleneden Beach State Recreation Site
Some good landmarks in this span, but between them is some shitty walking. This is, in fact, the area that inspired my rating system. Rating: 1
Gleneden Beach to D River State Recreation Site, Lincoln City
7.8 miles of Highway 101. Just get a ride to see the shortest river in the world. Rating: 1
D River State Recreation Site to Devil’s Lake State Park
0.25 miles along Highway 101 – but there is a sidewalk! Connecting two Lincoln City landmarks. Rating: 2
Devil’s Lake State Park to Lincoln City Beach Access
0.7 miles along roads, including Highway 101 – but there is a sidewalk! Easy connection, though in and of itself, it’s not that thrilling. Rating: 2
Lincoln City to Road’s End
This 3-mile span of beach is beautiful, but it can be crowded. Rating: 3
Road’s End Out-and-Back
About 2 miles out and back from the Road’s End State Recreation Site parking lot. Beautiful and well worth the detour. Rating: 5

NOTE: There is a significant breakdown in the continuity of the OCT between the north end of Lincoln City (Road’s End) and Neskowin. I discuss this in more depth on the OCT Transportation page. I highly encourage you to do Cascade Head, which is between Lincoln City and Neskowin; that hike is described on the page for OCT North Coast Trail Data.

Done with the Central Coast? Woohoo!

Push forward to OCT North Coast Trail Data or backtrack to OCT South Coast Trail Data.

Continue planning your trip! Cross-reference with the OCT Transportation and OCT Lodging pages.

Return to the Oregon Coast Trail main page.