Garibaldi to Siletz Bay

It's not as far from civilization as parts of Section 4, but the Tillamook Coast has the most remote beaches and trail hiking on the northern Oregon Coast Trail.

This section of the Oregon Coast Trail begins in what’s called the Three Capes region, for the trio of headlands that begin at the south end of Tillamook Bay: basalt Cape Meares

and Cape Lookout followed by sandstone Cape Kiwanda. Soon you encounter another looming cape—Cascade Head, the site of Oregon’s only United Nations Biosphere Reserve—and then one more headland south of the Salmon River before hitting the long beach at Lincoln City.

There are also a number of river and bay mouths that present challenges to OCT hikers. To begin with, there’s the mouth of Tillamook Bay. Then you meet Netarts Bay, Nestucca Bay, and the Salmon River, all of which must be dealt with by catching a boat ride—not a sure bet at any of these crossings—or walking, busing, hitching, or taxiing around. For most of this section, US Highway 101 is far inland, but there are local roads that offer access if needed. Views from the headlands are spectacular, as are the forests of large trees and the long beaches, on some of which you will probably be alone. There are a lot of lodging and camping opportunities, though they may require you to hike a good distance to reach.

*Everyone counts mileage on the OCT a little differently. This is the number I came up with for my guidebook Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail. It differs a little from the figure in my earlier guidebook Day Hiking: Oregon Coast.  

TRAIL CONDITIONS

As of September 2021 

CAPE LOOKOUT: The September 2020 windstorm really slammed Cape Lookout. The trail to the end of the cape and the OCT south trail are open but the OCT north trail (from the campground to the top of the cape) is closed and may not reopen until May 2023. Plan to walk the road to the top of the cape (little traffic, adds 1 mile, and only if you have to backtrack to the campground entrance from the hiker-biker camp). Then, at the top of the cape, walk to the end of the trailhead parking area and pick up the trail heading west, immediatly turning left onto the south trail. Alternately, if you don't plan to wade Sand Lake outlet, continue on Cape Lookout Road and then Sandlake Road to Sitka Sedge State Natural Area to get back on the beach. 

YOU SHOULD KNOW ...

Boat shuttle across Tillamook Bay at Garibaldi: Garibaldi Marina has decided to NOT offer rides across to Bayocean Spit this summer due to lack of staff. They DO plan to resume in 2022. In 2021, consider asking for a ride from boaters at the marina, or taking cab or bus around the bay, or (last resort IMO) walking the highway shoulder.