Elk Flats Trail

This was a recommendation from a friend and absolutely did NOT disappoint! Would not recommend doing it with any little ones as the trail is a bit steep and there are big drop offs. The trail is in very good condition and with small waterfalls and flowers it is gorgeous!

One of the most beautiful and peaceful places that I have gone. The mixture of strength and chaos gives a strange sense of peace and safety. The dramatic landscape, the green mountain mixing on shades of green. The blue and white ocean and the brown and black cliffs make this experience out of this world. I would recommend it to anyone.

If going with children be precausious because it is steep and dangerous.

Pictures are from a trial that shoots off left of the Elks flat, just a short while after you leave the parking area. It's a really beautiful area, lots of roots and some overgrown trails. Be sure to keep track of your trail so you know how to get back. Fairly easy but I wouldn't bring my young kid with unsteady feet. Enjoy!

Very nice trail, not difficult! Beautiful views! Did some drone pictures as well, really loved the perspective. Hope you will enjoy as well. See attached pictures, captured on April, 2022
P.S. consider, that most of those views can't be seen without drone, as it's captured above the ocean, from opposite. But the viewpoint itself is definitely worth to visit. Pretty short hike.

Definitely a cool little hike. You don't have to go to far for some great views. The trailhead is free to park at and there a decent amount of parking spots. It is about 24 miles south of seaside but a nice drive there. Definitely pet and kid friendly. Go check it out.

Breath taking views, long wonderful hiking trails. A spot I have returned to time and time again. If your brave enough to follow the goat trail. You can jump jump your way to some amazing views.

Absolutely gorgeous hike! It's not very difficult but there are a lot of roots that need to be looked out for. Any hike that has this many scenic viewpoints and ends at a beach access area deserves 5 stars👌

Looking for easy, picture-worthy trail? Look no further! We spent couple of hours here, wondering around all the off-shoots of the awesome trail system. This one connected to the Oregon Coast Trail system and Devil Outlook as well. Watch your kids, and check out all the flowers~~~

This trail leads to Devil’s Cauldron overlook. The hike is short and in some places steep and was muddy but easy to navigate. For low effort, the view is rewarding! You can see Devil’s Cauldron swirling around and see a cliffs along the coast. I definitely recommend this stop.

There is access to many miles of hiking trails from here. If you're looking for short hikes you can go down to Elk Flats or Devil's Cauldron. They are both only around 1/4 miles from the trail head (in opposite directions). The views from these spots are amazing.

The trails to Elk Flats and Devil's Cauldron are a bit overgrown. So you'll have bushes brushing against your legs most of the time. We had to pick up our tiny chihuahua because the bushes kept hitting her in the face.

If you are looking for a longer hike you can continue past Devil's Cauldron and hike pretty much as far as you want (past Short Sand beach and Cape Falcon).

We just drove from Cannon Beach towards Corvalis and in the middle of the road we had tons of view points to stop and appreciate the nature!

This is a very cool, short in and out trail that gives you an awesome view of the ocean. Plenty of area to explore along the coast once you get there. My friends and I spent about 30 minutes just exploring and taking in the views. Highly recommend if you’re going along the Oregon Coast.

Beautiful area easy 20-30 minute hike. Amazing views.

Wish I'd spent more time hiking this whole area! I did happen to stroll with an elderly gentleman who was from there and it was such an informative talk! The old growth forest is amazing. Some of the moss covered stumps looked like faces for how the moss was on them!

So after hitting Neahkahnie Mt. I decided to try the Elk Flats side. After walking down the start of the trail a short ways, which was steep and a bit rocky, we took the first turn to our left. It meander a bit through some thistles and other semi thorny plants. The view was nice and despite the terrain it was doable in flip flops.
I soon found myself in a corridor or salal plants that was as a bit over 5' tall. I kept going down hill and soon found myself on a little narrow spit the had a great view plus a few places to sit. To my left was a rock out cropping that could of been on a castle. To my right were sheer rock cliffs and some sea caves you could peer into. But keep your kids or dogs close as it would be easy to lose your footing and fall into the ocean below.
Once I got my fill my dogs and I headed back uphill as there were two more sets of trail to check out. But before we had made our way back to the main trail, we spotted a side trail again heading to my left and my dogs and I took it. It lead up to a rock out cropping but my dogs and I didnt see a way from where we were at to the top, so again headed for the main trail. Once there we stayed on it this time. As it headed into the woods. We were rewarded with a bench to sit on, solitude and great views.
We weren't yet done. So we headed back the way we came, and took a left turn into the meadow. Thinking this lead someplace close, and with time to kill we went for it. About 20 minutes in it, dawned on me that this is part of the oregon coast trail, ( the sign up at the parking lots also said oregon coast trail ) so I figured let's just walk for a bit more and see where it takes us.. About what seemed like 30 minutes longer of rugged hiking we passed a bog and the dogs had a chance to get a drink.
We continuing downhill and found a cool tree that you could walk thru or around and I realized this trail quite possibly goes all the way to the beach, which it did. Once we got to the beach, we came to a fresh water creek that gave the dogs another oppertunity to get a drink from. A bit of a rest for me, a great view, and then a killer hike back up.
So three paths, all different views and settings as well as length of hikes. Easiest is stay to the main trail. Second is your first turn to your left. The hardest, stay on your main trail past the first turn to yohr left. Stay on the main trail til you can choose to go straight ir turn left. Head straight for a great short endurance hike and a nice beach.
Enjoy

Beautiful casual hike, not too busy. Worth the drive from the valley.

Fairly easy hike, even with young kiddos. Just make sure to turn left at the dirt trail from the gravel trail before it turns right.

Starting from a gravel parking area off Hwy 101, there is a short .10 mile walk down a meadow heading west where the trail splits and goes to a spectacular view of Devil's Cauldron. If you stay on Elk Flats Trail you'll go through old growth timber and end up at Oswald Beach. Not a difficult hike, unless it's wet, and then mud and roots could make it a little treacherous.
You won't see much of the coast until you're almost at Oswald Beach.

Parts were muddy, some trees to clamber around. The best view is the very first left turn, not shown on All Trails but very obvious on the actual trail! Loved this coastal hike ❤

Not a long hike and amazing views can be scary when you are in the ledge but worth it