Hiking the South Neahkahnie Mountain Trail on the Oregon Coast
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 km
There aren’t a lot of trails on the Oregon Coast that climb a true peak, but in my opinion, Neahkahnie Mountain is the best summit on the Oregon Coast!
North vs. South Neahkahnie Mountain Trail
Neahkahnie or Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain can either be hiked via the north or south trailhead in Oswald West State Park.
In terms of which Neahkahnie Mountain Trail is more difficult, the answer is easily the North Neahkahnie Trail.
This is because the North Neahkahnie Trail is a bit longer, with a little more than 300 ft. (91.4 m) of extra elevation gain, since the trailhead is located lower on the mountain.
Read My Separate Post: North Neahkahnie Mountain Trail
South Neahkahnie Mountain Trailhead Parking
Parking for the South Neahkahnie Mountain Trailhead is located in a dirt parking lot at the very end of Neahkahnie Trailhead Road.
There isn’t a ton of parking, meaning that the lot can easily fill up during the busy summer travel season.
Google Maps Directions: South Neahkahnie Mountain 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 South Neahkahnie Mountain Trail
The Neahkahnie Mountain Trail begins up a series of 14 switchbacks, which gain about 725 ft. (221 m) of elevation in one mile from the trailhead to the Neahkahnie Mountain ridge line.
This is the first viewpoint on the switchbacks of the South Neahkahnie Mountain Trail.
During the early summer, there were plenty of Salmonberries to find along the trail.
Salmonberries are edible and can range from sweet, bland, or even tart in taste.
Neahkahnie Mountain Ridge
Once on the ridge, go left at the first split, then right at the second.
The second split in the photo below on the right is where people tend to take the wrong trail, which doesn’t lead to the iconic beautiful viewpoint atop Neahkahnie Mountain.
After the split, the South Neahkahnie Mountain Trail contours the side of the ridge line until it makes a hard turn up to the saddle below both summits.
Neahkahnie Mountain Saddle
Shortly after the switchback in the photos above, the South Neahkahnie Trail meets with the North Neahkahnie Mountain Trail at the saddle between both the east and west peaks.
Typically speaking, most people only hike the west summit, which is the route shown first. However, the East Neahkahnie Summit is by far less trafficked and has much more expansive views from the top!
Read My Separate Post: North Neahkahnie Mountain Trail
West Neahkahnie Summit
From the saddle, go right to hike up to the more popular West Neahkahnie Mountanin Summit.
The view from the summit of Neahkahnie Mountain looks south down Neahkahnie Beach, Manzanita, and Nehalem State Park.
It’s worth noting that the view from the top of Neahkahnie Mountain is not always a guarantee. Since the Oregon Coast can be very overcast, especially during the wetter times of the year, the view from Neahkahnie Mountain can be socked in the clouds as often as it’s this clear in the photo below.
On the other side of the saddle, the ridge that heads up to the east summit is far less trafficked and a little more narrow than the west.
Only experienced people who are comfortable scrambling with moderately high-exposure should climb up the East Neahkahnie Summit.
East Neahkahnie Summit
From the top of the East Neahkahnie Summit, the views up Nehalem River Valley are much more expansive than the west summit.
Again, only those who are comfortable scrambling up and down-climbing a slightly narrow ridge should attempt the east summit.
