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These Park Trails Hug The Coastline – And They’re Absolutely Worth The Hike
Ever feel like your life could use a little more drama? You know, the good kind… waves crashing like they’re auditioning for a disaster movie, cliffs that scream “don’t you dare look down,” and sunsets so perfect they’d make a poet cry.
Coastal trails have all that and more. Forget crowded malls or staring at screens for hours; nature’s showstoppers are out there demanding your attention, and they don’t even charge admission.
Sure, you might huff, puff, and question your hiking choices by mile three, but hey, what’s a little effort when the reward is jaw-dropping views and a soul reset?
Kalalau Trail – Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Ever wanted to hike a trail that feels like something straight out of an action-adventure film? Enter the Kalalau Trail, where your reward for braving cliff-hugging paths and sudden rain showers is an epic scene of the Na Pali Coast that will make your jaw drop.
Lush valleys? Check. Roaring waterfalls? Oh, absolutely. It’s been around since the 1800s, initially traversed by native Hawaiians, though I doubt they had Gore-Tex gear back then. Just don’t forget your sense of balance or, you know, your will to live. It’s wild out there, but so worth it.
Rialto Beach To Hole-In-The-Wall – Olympic National Park, Washington
If you’ve always dreamed of walking through a giant “hole in the wall” (and I mean one carved by nature, not some sketchy cafe ), this one’s for you. Start at Rialto Beach, where waves crash into rugged rock formations with the drama of a soap opera.
Once you reach the iconic Hole-in-the-Wall, expect tide pools teeming with sea anemones, starfish, and the occasional crab throwing you the stink eye. Make sure to review a tide chart before you go (unless you like your hikes soggy). And yes, driftwood as far as the eye can see, because nothing says Pacific Northwest like giant beach logs.
Cliff Walk – Acadia National Park, Maine
Want to stroll along coastal cliffs flirting with disaster? The Cliff Walk in Acadia is your jam. Imagine sea spray whispering sweet nothings as you scamper over granite rocks older than your great-great-grand-anything.
The trail dates back to Acadia’s early 20th-century glory days when those with too much money and not enough Wi-Fi came to “summer” here. Plus, there is a chance to spot seals bobbing offshore or, if the universe likes you, a whale. Just don’t trip. Gravity is not your friend here, but the views? Unforgettable.
Oregon Coast Trail – Lewis And Clark National Historical Park, Oregon
If dramatic coastlines draped in fog don’t do it for you, the Oregon Coast Trail might win you over with its sheer audacity. Divided among forest paths and sandy beaches, it weaves through Lewis and Clark’s historic stomping grounds, making history feel alive (or at least breezy).
Expect the scent of salty air, the sound of crashing waves, and trails that make you wonder if you’ll somehow end up in a fairytale world. Spoiler alert, you just might. Watch out for curious elk who couldn’t care less about your personal space.
Baker Beach Trail – Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California
Golden Gate Bridge selfies? Overdone. A hike along Baker Beach Trail? Now we’re talking. This spot is the golden child (pun totally intended) of beach trails, where the Pacific whispers salty nothings and the Golden Gate looms like a giant orange exclamation point.
Once a military fortification site (because apparently, even nature had to be on guard back in the day), Baker Beach now serves up jaw-dropping panoramas with a side of sandy toes. Bonus points for the sound of crashing waves and the occasional fog rolling in like a moody coastal curtain. You might even stumble across some rogue sunbathers.
Sea Rim State Park Boardwalk Trail – Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi & Florida
Forget red carpets, Sea Rim rolls out expansive boardwalks that stretch over wetlands alive with bird chatter and the occasional croak of a frog (or is that your stomach?). Situated along the Gulf Coast, this trail offers prime people-watching… from the feathered sort, that is.
Keep an eye out for roseate spoonbills, rocking pink like no one told them the ’80s are over. And let’s not ignore the history; the Gulf’s been privy to trade routes, battles, and those infamous pirates. Scenic? Check. Quirky? You bet. Scratch that Gulf itch here.
Cumberland Island Seashore Trail – Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
Turn back the clock because Cumberland Island feels preposterously timeless. Once the stomping grounds of wealthy industrialists (looking at you, Carnegie family), it’s now home to wild horses who couldn’t care less about your two-legged existence.
The trail takes you through moss-draped oaks so hauntingly gorgeous they deserve their own gothic novel. And then there’s the beach: miles of pristine, footprint-worthy sand kissing the Atlantic with not a condo in sight.
South Point Trail – South Point Complex, Hawaii
Feeling adventurous? Good, because South Point Trail doesn’t mess around. This windswept path takes you to the southernmost point in Hawaii, as in “this is literally it, folks.” With its cliffside views and roaring Pacific waves that make you double-check your footing, it defies the whole tropical paradise stereotype.
Add in ancient Hawaiian fishing shrines, and you’ll half-expect the spirits of history to weigh in on your shoe choice. Bring a snack (and maybe some bravery). This isn’t just a trail; it’s a teetering edge between past and present.
Overlook Trail – Channel Islands National Park, California
If you haven’t been to the Channel Islands, congrats, you’re missing out on California’s secret masterpiece. And the Overlook Trail serves up cliff-top views so staggering that you’ll want to glue them to your memory bank.
Think cerulean waters, the occasional dolphin cameo, and wind-sculpted grasslands that seem plucked straight from a Van Gogh daydream. Plus, this paradise was home to Chumash people for thousands of years, a reminder that the islands carry more stories than the ones you’ll craft on your short visit.
Dungeness Spit Trail – Olympic National Park, Washington
Here’s a lesson in commitment; hiking the Dungeness Spit Trail rewards persistence. This skinny strip of land pokes out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, serving panoramic views that smash together rugged mountains and endless blue water.
Fun fact: It’s the longest natural sand spit in the U.S., which is basically nature’s way of saying, “top that.” Walk the beach, listen to the waves drum their hypnotic rhythm, and keep an eye out for bald eagles soaring over the knobbly driftwood. It’s peaceful, it’s picturesque, and just salty enough to keep you humble.
Bluffs Trail – Montana De Oro State Park, California
If coastal drama were an Olympic sport, the Bluffs Trail would take gold. Perched along the rugged California coast, this trail serves up sweeping ocean views, rocky outcroppings, and the occasional salty breeze that somehow feels personally insulting.
Dating back to the 1960s when Montana de Oro State Park was established, this 4.5-mile loop combines cliffside theatrics with rolling meadows (a reminder that nature doesn’t do subtle). Keep your eyes on the lookout for pelicans soaring on the wind like smug sky acrobats.
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