Mount Neahkahnie Hike Oregon

Mount Neahkahnie Hike Coastal Oregon

Neahkahnie Mountain is one of the highest points of 1,680 feet, on the west coast of the United States. From its location in Oswald West State Park, Neahkahnie offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Tillamook Native Americans considered the mountain to be supremely significant: “Ne” translates as “place of,” and “Ekahnie” as “supreme deity.”  

Neahkahnie Mountain Loop Hike

This coastal favorite hike will take us to the great views from the 1,680-foot summit of Mount Neahkahnie, which is part of Oswald West State Park.

·         Start point: Short Sand South Trailhead

·         End point: Neahkahnie Mountain Viewpoint

·         Distance: 8.0 miles

·         Difficulty: Moderate

The Oregon Coast Trail crosses Neahkahnie Mountain from Short Sand Beach and descends to Manzanita. This hike, mostly within the boundaries of Oswald West State Park, takes you from the majestic old growth around Necarney Creek to the clifftop views of the Devils Cauldron; then you cross meadows frequented by elk to hike up Neahkahnie Mountain to a spectacular viewpoint. 

we will descend to the South Neahkahnie Mountain Trailhead. From there, there's a mile and a half of road walking, including a mile and a quarter along the shoulder of busy Highway 101 (There is a path - sort of - for pedestrians), but the scenic views make the loop worthwhile. A shorter version of this loop, which knocks 2.6 miles off the total, begins at the North Neahkahnie Mountain Trailhead.

Directions to Neahkahnie Mountain Hike 

Both trailheads are reached by accessing Highway 101. The west trailhead parking is about 11 miles south of Cannon Beach, just south of milepost 40, on the west side of the highway. The trail starts across the highway. There is space for several cars here.

The south trailhead is about a mile and a half south of the west one, between mileposts 41 and 42, not quite 2 miles north of Manzinita. There is a brown hiking sign pointing to the road you need to take, which will be a left turn if you are coming from Cannon Beach.