CASCADE HEAD Hit the trail on a hike that takes you deep into old-growth forests and to the summit of a wide-open coastal headland. Just north of Lincoln City, Cascade Head sits within Oregon’s only UNESCO Biosphere Region — and is home to a 5-mile (8-km) round-trip trail that ascends nearly 1,200 feet (366 m), heads through meadows covered with summertime wildflowers and arrives at a wide-open summit. From the top, you’ll look down on the Salmon River Estuary, enjoy broader Pacific Ocean views, and possibly even spy elk and deer. DRIFT CREEK FALLS The 75-foot-tall (23-m) Drift Creek Falls tumbles over a shelf of columnar basalt in the Oregon Coast Range. That dynamic display, coupled with its close proximity to Lincoln City, makes the hike one of the area’s top outdoor adventures. A 4.5-mile (7.2-km) round-trip trail — featuring about 570 feet (174 m) of elevation gain — cuts through a quiet forest of Douglas fir and Sitka spruce. After crossing a 240-foot (73-m) suspension bridge, you’ll arrive at the base of the waterfall, which reaches its roaring peak in spring. Did you know? There are 738 biosphere regions in 134 countries across the globe, which serve as learning places for sustainable development. FROM TOP: ALEX JORDAN; CODY CHA 16 EXPLORELINCOLNCITY.COM
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==