Hikes to vistas on the Oregon Coast

If you're interested in taking some good hikes along the Oregon Coast, there are a couple of mountains where you can hike up for a grand view. The best view is from Saddle Mountain, 14 miles east of Seaside of Highway 26. There's a three-mile hike with a 1,600-foot elevation gain that takes you to a place where you can see the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River, the Cascades, and the Coast Range.

Another is Humbug Mountain, south of Port Orford. This one is a little higher, about 1750 feet up, and the view is not as open, but it's still worth the effort if you're feeling athletic. For many years, there was an annual race to the top called the Bah! Humbug Killer 8K. Only the most die-hard athlete would be foolish enough to participate in the run. Evidently they ran out of die-hards and stopped holding the race.

Cape Perpetua has a great hike from its Interpretive Center up to the top of an 850-foot mountain. Overlooking the coastline, visitors can view 150 miles north to south (from Cape Foulweather to Cape Blanco) and 40 miles out to sea. Truly it is one of the most spectacular views of Oregon's rugged coastline that can be found anywhere.