Tag walking

The Best Walk on the Oregon Coast

Reg Spittle Leave a comment
  • Several coves expose sandy beaches along the trail.
  • Erosion has created concretions, or cannon balls.
  • Tennis courts were just a few steps away from the mansion.
  • This is just a section of the restored garden next to the trail.
  • Seals and sea lions perform constant concerts at Simpson Reef.

The Oregon Coast Trail follows one of America’s most spectacular coastlines. Sue and I have a favorite section, and it is easily accessible near Coos Bay, and our recent walk began at the beach opposite Sunset Bay State Park. We caught the trail just beyond a basketball court, where it climbs to follow bluffs for nearly five miles to Cape Arago State Park.

After a mile or so, the Cape Arago Lighthouse appears in the distance. Midway, at Shore Acres, there is a bluff-top room with history exhibits and large windows to view gray whales. It graces the site of a mansion built by timber tycoon Louis J. Simpson in 1908; it featured a Roman bath, swimming pool, ballroom, tennis courts, and nine guest rooms. A 1921 fire destroyed the mansion and it was rebuilt, only to fall into disrepair during the Depression.

The state of Oregon now owns the land and has restored the nearby garden (free admission), which is almost always in bloom with a variety of plants from around the world. A beautiful pond and rose garden may make it difficult to remember you are on a day hike. Shore Acres is home to a spectacular light display every Christmas season.

The second half of the walk leads to Simpson Reef, where a viewpoint offers the sounds and sights of seals, sea lions, and shorebirds, all part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. You can turn around here, or continue along the road to Cape Arago, where a path leads downhill to closeup views of sea animals. Several picnic tables beckon below the path and offer–you guessed it–eye-catching views.

We have walked the Sunset Beach-to-Cape Arago path often during our ten years living in Oregon. Sometimes sunshine warms us, sometimes fog chills us, sometimes wind buffets us. Regardless, the path always rewards us.

Trail Snakes Along Easternmost Coastline

Reg Spittle Leave a comment

Newfoundland’s East Coast Trail is North America’s easternmost coastline path. While camping near St. John’s, Sue and I sampled three varied sections.

Measuring 168 miles, 25 paths are connected by 41 miles of community walks. On the La Manche Trail, we walked over a swaying suspension bridge that spans a wild waterway flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.

Sue took a break at North Head, a three-mile walk from Spear Lighthouse, where I stood at a plaque marking the easternmost point in North America, excepting Greenland. Some argue Alaska wins that title, though, since it extends into the eastern hemisphere.

At St. John’s Harbor, a cliff-hugging path encircles Signal Hill, where flags on a tower were flown for many decades to alert the city if approaching vessels were friend or foe. Today, locals use this section to test their endurance on steep ascents and descents.

We found stunningly beautiful scenery on the East Coast Trail, punctuated by boardwalks over marshland as well as rocks, gnarled roots, and mud that slowed our progress. There are designated campsites in some areas, even wooden decks for your tent.

Our weather in July was mostly dry with temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s; we dodged winds that can blow your hat off.

Volunteers with the East Coast Trail Association won’t stop until they expand the path to 373 miles.