Hiking the Cape Sebastian Trail on the Oregon Coast
Distance: 3.6 miles / 5.8 km
The Cape Sebastian Trail is a local favorite on the southern Oregon Coast because of the beautiful views that you can see from the trail within only a short distance of the trailhead.
Additionally, Hunters Cove at the end of the trail is typically uncrowded, as most beachgoers don’t venture this far up the coast from the neighboring Meyers Creek Beach.
Cape Sebastian Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Cape Sebastian Trail is located is a small paved parking lot within the Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor off of Highway 101.
Depending on the time of day, this parking lot can fill up quickly when the trail it at its busiest.
Google Maps Directions: Cape Sebastian Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Oregon Coast
Black bears can be found up and down the Oregon Coast, but hiking with or without bear spray is truly up to your own discretion and comfort level when adventuring in black bear territory.
Furthermore, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike on the Oregon Coast.
Hiking the Cape Sebastian Trail
The Cape Sebastian Trail is nearly an all downhill hike, as the trail descends about 650 ft. (198 m) from the trailhead to Hunters Cove down below.
In my opinion, some of the best views on the entire trail were right within the first quarter mile of the trailhead.
At about 0.5 miles (0.8 km), the Cape Sebastian Trail begins descending a series of 9 or 10 switchbacks, depending on how you count.
This is also where the most challenging part of the hike is on the way back to the trailhead.
When the trail reaches the bottom, it will parallel the coastline until the last descent down to Hunters Cove.
Watch out for poison oak on these stretches, as I was able to identify a number of plants directly adjacent to the trail.
The last stretch down to the beach is about as steep as it looks.
Without the rope present, it would be a very slippery walk on the loose dirt or mud, especially if it happens to be raining.
Meyers Creek Beach (Hunters Cove)
The official Meyers Creek Beach is located about three-quarters of a mile away, which means that the beautiful stretch of sand around Hunters Cove will likely be empty, with the exception of other hikers.
