Hiking the Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail on the Oregon Coast

Distance: 3.0 miles / 4.8 km

The Heceta Head Lighthouse can be visited from either one of two ways.

First, you can drive directly to the paid parking area at Heceta Beach and walk the short path to the lighthouse, or you can hike the moderate Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail, as shown in this post.

Hiking the Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail is what I recommend, not only because it's free, but also because there are some stunning views of both Heceta and Hobbit Beach that you just won’t see without hiking the trail.

Heceta Head Trailhead Parking

Parking for the Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail is located at the Hobbit Trailhead on the side of Highway 101 just before Heceta Beach if you’re driving south.

Google Maps Directions: Heceta Head Lighthouse Trailhead

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trailhead Parking

Hobbit 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 Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

The Heceta Head Trail start across the highway from the parking area shown in the photos above.

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trailhead

Immediately after starting the hike, the trail will split for both the Heceta Lighthouse and Hobbit Beach Trails.

Go left to reach the lighthouse only 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the trailhead.

Go Left

Hobbit Beach Trailhead

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

The Heceta Lighthouse Trail will climb a few sets of stairs, but the hills on the hike were always very mild.

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Hobbit Beach Overlook

At about 0.8 miles (1.3 km) into the hike, the view opens up to the north, revealing the beautiful Hobbit Beach down below.

Hobbit Beach Overlook

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Shortly after the Hobbit Beach overlook, the Heceta Head Trail will start descending a number of switchbacks all the way until the lighthouse.

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Heceta Lighthouse

In my experience, the Heceta Lighthouse only had a few visitors in the early morning, but it made for a very quiet visit at an otherwise popular location.

Heceta Head Lighthouse

Know that unlike other lighthouses on the Oregon Coast, the Heceta Lighthouse is not open to the public.

Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail

Heceta Head Lighthouse

Heceta Beach

Pacific Poison-oak - (Toxicodendron diversilobum)

@noahawaii

Hi,

Iʻm a self-taught adventure photographer living on the island of Oʻahu.

@noahawaii

https://noahlangphotography.com/
Previous
Previous

Hiking the Sisters Rock Trail on the Oregon Coast

Next
Next

Hiking the Redwood Nature Trail on the Oregon Coast