804 Trail

This is a great trail system. It seems to be well mapped, well-​maintained, and the scenery doesn’t get much better. There are a few spots where it can be easy to lose the trail. But, if you have a map, it’s fairly easy to stay on track.
Be sure to find the hidden geocaches along the way while hiking this trail. They add to the fun factor, especially with children.

This has to be, without a doubt, one of the best «urban» hikes in Lane county. As Douglas C. and Sherry S. note, the official trail begins at Smelt Sands State park and runs north. Again, though, you can pick up the trail anywhere. And if you start at the Adobe, you will have a nice stretch of wheelchair accessible trail with some of the most stunning views of the Pacific.
I grew up with Newport as my beach, and I had a hard time with Yachats’ slogan as «the gem of the Pacific.» That is, until I hiked this trail. The craggy coastline is characteristic Oregon beach as the waves crash, at times, violently against harsh lava and basalt formations. in fact, there are sobering mementos of more people than I knew who have passed along this stretch of coastline, some very recently.
The sandy beach that awaits at the end of this trail is quite secluded more often than not. When we were here in August (2013) we had the place to ourselves for over an hour.
Simply a must-​do in Yachats.

I love nothing better than walking the 804 trail with my camera; you never know what you’ll see.
The official trail runs ¾ mile from Smelt Sands State Park, north to the sandy beach that lays between Yachats and Waldport. The trail meanders along the ancient pillow lava and basalt rock tide-​pools. There is life in those pools and my camera explores them. There are wonderful churns where the surf is extruded into columns of spray shooting 30 and 40 feet into the air.
In September and October, pods of Humpback whales feed along the shore. Walking the trail, their spouts, and individual whales are clearly visible as they break the surface of the water. Local artists build site specific works along the trail further enhancing the beauty of this truly magical place.
The north end of the trail ends by gently sloping down to a 6 mile stretch of sandy beach. The trail calls me. I must return again and again. Perhaps one day I’ll stay.

This was an original Native American footpath a long time ago. It includes 6 miles of sandy beach once you walk from Ocean View Drive, follow the path down past the Adobe where they grant access. You then will see a functioning trail that parallels the rocky part of the ocean. Beautiful place. It finally lands you at the beginning of the sandy part of the beach.
You can also pick up the trail at the Smelt Sands path as well or if you are staying at many of the hotels the path is right outside your doors.
It’s extremely pristine. Take care of it and pick up after yourselves and your dogs. It’s truly a gift and we are very lucky that after all was said and done the public can now enjoy its beauty.