Hiking the trails along the Oregon Coast is magical – you’ll trek through old-growth forests, witness panoramic ocean vistas, and often emerge onto lengthy stretches of sandy beaches. There’s a hike near Florence that takes you through scenery that evokes the ethereal world of J.R.R. Tolkien. It’s called Hobbit Trail, and it’s one of our favorite adventures on the coast.
You’ll find the trailhead for Hobbit Trail north of Heceta Head. Watch for a pullout with a small parking lot, then cross the highway (carefully!) to start your adventure.
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The trail to the beach is short and shady, and you’ll start by meandering through moss-covered Sitka spruce along fern-lined trails.
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You can see how this trail got its name! It definitely has a magical, other-worldly feel to it. If you’ve read the book The Hobbit or seen the Lord of the Rings movies, you might be able to imagine Bilbo Baggins strolling along this trail with you.
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As you get closer to the beach, the trail becomes more and more sandy.
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Near the end of the trail, you’ll come to a tree tunnel. This is definitely our favorite part of the hike, and kids especially love it. Adults will have to crouch down as they pass underneath the thick web of trees, and kids will likely linger a bit as they walk through. This is a hobbit-sized tree tunnel for sure.
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Make your way through the tunnel…
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…along the sandy path…
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…and emerge onto a gorgeous, secluded beach! But wait…your adventure isn’t over yet.
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You’ll want to explore all this beach has to offer. Watch for little crabs scuttling about…
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…and if the tide is low, check out the marine life in the tide pools.
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When you’re done playing on the beach, you can extend your adventure even more by taking the Heceta Head Lighthouse trail. It’s another four miles, out and back, but well worth it if you have the time.
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Have you hiked Hobbit Trail? Tell our readers about your adventure in the comments!
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Patsy O/Tripadvisor
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Lisi81/Tripadvisor
Robby G C/Tripadvisor
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Address: Hobbit Beach, 91892-91974 Oregon Coast Hwy, Florence, OR 97439, USA
