Hike, Bike and Surf Ecola State Park offers some of the Coast’s most spectacular hiking with sweeping views over the beaches and Pacific. An 8-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail forms the park’s backbone. Follow it south from Ecola Point along a steep, 1.25-mile descent to Crescent Beach or north for about 5 miles to Indian Beach. The familyfriendly, 2.5-mile Clatsop Loop Trail traces the route used by an expedition party from Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery in 1806 and affords views of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Expert hikers can continue on for another 4 miles on the Tillamook Head Trail to Seaside. Arrange a shuttle if you’re hiking one-way. Mountain bikers have plenty of options, too, starting with the twoday Ride the Dirt Wave event at Klootchy Creek in June. Just off Highway 26, you’ll find about 12 miles of single-track on many year-round trails for all skill sets, including Ski Tracks, a new, flowy blue trail that traverses about 1,300 feet downhill, and another experts-only track, Evil Twin, which extends from the top of Twin Peaks to the bottom. You need a free permit to ride. Gravel grinders should get a copy of the new Oregon Coast Gravel Guide with downloadable GPS tracks, and try the demanding 31-mile Terrible Tilly route. The beach is also great for riding fat-tire bikes, especially south of Tolovana to Arcadia Beach. Don’t miss the Fat Bike Festival held in May. Indian Beach at Ecola State Park attracts surfers looking to harness the power of the Pacific on what are often clean, curling waves. Summer is best for beginners; winter brings strong currents and powerful waves. Any time of year you’ll need a wetsuit. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: NASHCO PHOTO; JEREMY BURKE; SETH MORRISEY Klootchy Creek Indian Beach Oregon Coast Trail OUTDOORS cannonbeach.org 27
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