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14 Coastal Trails With Ocean Views You’ll Never Forget
The sound of waves colliding against rock, the hiss of wind across open bluffs, and the rhythm of your boots tracing the meeting point between land and sea. These are the moments that coastal trails capture better than any other landscape.
A good seaside path never just shows you the view; it immerses you in it. Salt settles on your skin. You feel the temperature shift as clouds drift across the sun. Gulls cut the sky, and sometimes the roar of surf drowns out your thoughts entirely. These are trails that remind you of nature’s scale and persistence.
The ocean never rests, and neither does your curiosity as you round each curve to find another headland, another stretch of untamed coast. From Hawaii’s cliffs to the wild shores of Wales and the volcanic rim of Jeju Island, these hikes prove that walking by the sea is as much about perspective as scenery.
Some are short enough for an afternoon, others demand full days or even overnight stays, but all of them hold one common reward: the kind of view that settles in your memory and never lets go.
Kalalau Trail – Kauai, Hawaii
On the north shore of Kauai, the Kalalau Trail follows one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in the world. It runs eleven miles each way from Kee Beach to Kalalau Beach, hugging the Na Pali Coast where emerald cliffs drop thousands of feet to the Pacific.
This isn’t an easy walk; it’s steep, narrow, and often muddy, but that challenge is part of its power. You’ll climb through valleys thick with tropical foliage, cross small streams, and catch glimpses of sea arches and distant waterfalls cutting through the cliffs.
Most hikers tackle only the first two miles to Hanakapiai Beach for a day trip, but those who secure overnight permits find solitude at Kalalau Beach itself, where waves echo against the cliffs under a canopy of stars. Carry plenty of water, wear solid footwear, and respect the trail’s conditions. Flash floods and rockfalls are real hazards out here.
Tomales Point Trail – Point Reyes National Seashore, California
At the northern tip of Point Reyes, the Tomales Point Trail threads through grasslands and windswept ridges where the ocean stretches endlessly in two directions. The path begins near Pierce Point Ranch and follows a former ranch road out toward a narrow peninsula separating Tomales Bay from the Pacific.
You’ll likely spot tule elk grazing along the bluffs, their silhouettes striking against the sea. And wildflowers bloom from March through May. Things like lupine, goldfields, and paintbrush splashing color across the hills.
The full hike covers nearly ten miles round trip, but it feels shorter thanks to constant distraction from the scenery. The trail rolls gently before rising toward the tip, where cliffs drop straight into deep blue water. Wind is a constant companion, so layered clothing is wise, even in summer. But the reward at the end is a sense of vastness. One of those rare places where land, sky, and ocean seem to merge into a single horizon.
Ocean Path Trail – Acadia National Park, Maine
Few trails balance accessibility and spectacle as well as Ocean Path in Maine’s Acadia National Park. Beginning near Sand Beach and running roughly four miles round trip, it follows the edge of the Atlantic along granite cliffs and boulder fields polished by centuries of storms.
You’ll hear the rhythmic boom of surf before you even see it. The air smells faintly of salt and pine, and waves explode against the rocks in sprays of white. Key stops include Thunder Hole, where compressed air makes the sea roar like a cannon, and Otter Cliffs, one of the tallest headlands on the East Coast. And benches and lookout points dot the trail, making it easy to pause and take in the expanse of blue stretching to the horizon.
Despite its popularity, you can still find moments of stillness early in the morning or near sunset when the sky glows pink over Frenchman Bay. The trail’s even terrain makes it suitable for nearly anyone, yet it never feels tame.
South West Coast Path – England
Tracing more than six hundred miles of England’s rugged shoreline, the South West Coast Path is less a single hike than a continuous encounter with the sea. You can choose any section (perhaps between St Ives and Zennor in Cornwall, or the cliffs around Lynton in Devon) and find yourself walking above coves carved from ancient rock.
The terrain rises and falls relentlessly; so expect steep climbs followed by plunging descents, each revealing a new headland or fishing village. Historical ruins, from Iron Age forts to old tin mines, punctuate the scenery.
Many hikers tackle it in stages, using local buses or ferries to connect towns along the way. The full route could take a month or more, but even a single day offers cinematic views. You’ll need waterproof layers, sturdy boots, and perhaps patience for the weather’s mood swings. But when the clouds part and sunlight hits the Atlantic, the colors turn astonishing. It’s England’s coast at its most honest and wild.
Pembrokeshire Coast Path – Wales
Wales’ Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs nearly two hundred miles through a national park dedicated entirely to coastal scenery. But even a short section feels immense. Near St David’s Head, the trail climbs above the Irish Sea, where cliffs tumble into blue water and seabirds ride the updrafts. Puffins, razorbills, and seals often appear near the coves below.
The air carries the scent of gorse and seaweed, and the sound of waves blends with the cries of birds nesting on the ledges. The trail surface changes constantly (grass, sand, rocky outcrop), and the weather can swing from sunshine to drizzle in an hour. Yet that unpredictability adds to its character.
Local buses make it easy to hike one-way sections without retracing steps. Many walkers time their visit for late spring, when wildflowers cover the cliffs in yellow and purple. And coastal towns like Tenby and Fishguard provide rest spots with hearty meals and warm inns. This isn’t a manicured seaside walk but a true wilderness path shaped by wind and tide.
Otter Point Trail – Gold Beach, Oregon
The Otter Point Trail near Gold Beach proves that short hikes can still deliver sweeping drama. The route is less than a mile round trip, yet it captures the essence of the Oregon Coast: untamed, misty, and cinematic.
The trail starts in a patch of coastal forest before opening suddenly to a bluff two hundred feet above the Pacific. Below, sea stacks rise like stone towers through rolling surf, and the wind cuts through with enough force to make you brace your stance. You can continue along the headland for different angles or descend to the sand if tides allow.
Low tide reveals tidal pools filled with anemones and starfish, while high tide turns the coast into a show of raw power. There are no amenities here, just a parking area off Old Coast Road and a path that leads to one of the best views on the southern Oregon shoreline. It’s a perfect detour during a coastal road trip, best visited at sunset when the cliffs glow amber and the waves catch the last light.
Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall – Olympic National Park, Washington
On Washington’s wild Olympic Coast, this short but rugged route reveals one of the Pacific Northwest’s most elemental landscapes. Starting at Rialto Beach, you’ll walk north about one and a half miles across coarse sand and smooth stones toward Hole-in-the-Wall, a sea arch sculpted by relentless surf.
Driftwood logs the size of small boats line the upper beach, remnants of storms that battered the coast. And tide pools shimmer with sea urchins and crabs. The forest meets the sand abruptly here, with tall spruce and cedar leaning toward the water, roots exposed by erosion.
Hiking is easiest at low tide when you can pass through the arch and explore the coves beyond. It’s common to spot bald eagles perched on driftwood or sea otters bobbing offshore. The walk may be short, but it’s physical, especially when soft sand slows your pace. Waterproof boots help in crossing slick stones.
Tomaree Head Summit Walk – New South Wales, Australia
Australia’s Tomaree Head Summit Walk offers one of the best vantage points on the country’s eastern coast. Located near Nelson Bay in Port Stephens, the trail climbs from the beach up through bushland to a headland more than five hundred feet above the sea.
The ascent is short, about a mile round trip, but steep, with steps and platforms built for safety. As you rise, glimpses of the water appear through eucalyptus trees, and the smell of salt mixes with dry earth. From the summit, the view opens wide: Fingal Bay to the south, Broughton Island offshore, and the Pacific stretching beyond sight.
On calm days, you can see dolphins gliding below and occasionally whales during their migration season between May and November. Morning light paints the cliffs gold, while late afternoon brings cooler tones and softer air. Unlike many summit trails, this one ends with a feeling of peace rather than conquest.
El Matador Beach Trail – Malibu, California
El Matador Beach in Malibu proves that coastal beauty doesn’t require long mileage. The trail is little more than a steep path descending from a cliff-top parking lot down to a cove filled with rock formations, sea arches, and golden sand. Yet few places in Southern California pack so much drama into such a small area.
The stairs wind through sagebrush before dropping to the beach, where the ocean’s roar bounces off the stone walls. At low tide, you can explore sea caves carved by centuries of waves; at high tide, the surf often reaches the cliffs themselves.
Photographers come for the light, the way sunset turns the sea stacks into silhouettes against a glowing horizon. Just remember to bring sturdy shoes for the descent and be prepared for a steep climb on the way back. There are no restrooms or concessions, so plan accordingly.
Despite its proximity to the Pacific Coast Highway, the beach feels secluded once you reach the sand.
Backbone Trail – Santa Monica Mountains, California
Stretching seventy miles through the Santa Monica Mountains, the Backbone Trail links canyon to crest, offering long views of both inland valleys and the Pacific Ocean. You can hike the entire route over several days or choose a section such as the Mishe Mokwa or Sandstone Peak area, where elevation rewards you with sweeping coastal panoramas.
The terrain varies from chaparral-covered ridges to shaded oak canyons, alive with the scent of sage and sun-warmed stone. On clear mornings, fog rolls in from the Pacific, blanketing the valleys before lifting to reveal blue water beyond Malibu.
Trailheads are scattered along Mulholland Highway, making shorter hikes easy to plan. And the path’s mix of climbs and descents makes it challenging but not punishing. Summer heat can be intense, so early starts are best. You’ll often share the ridge with hawks gliding on thermals and the rustle of lizards darting across the path.
Heceta Head Lighthouse to Hobbit Beach Trail – Florence, Oregon
This short forest-to-shore hike on the central Oregon Coast feels like stepping into two worlds. The trail begins near the historic Heceta Head Lighthouse, perched high above the Pacific, and winds through dense Sitka spruce forest draped in moss. As you walk, the sound of the waves filters through the trees, growing louder with each bend.
After about a mile, the forest opens onto Hobbit Beach, a wide, secluded stretch of sand bordered by cliffs. At low tide, you can explore tide pools filled with sea creatures; at high tide, the beach shrinks to a ribbon of sand between rock and surf.
The round trip is just two miles, yet it feels far more immersive than its length suggests. The lighthouse itself, built in 1894, still sends its beam twenty-one miles out to sea, and you can visit it before or after the hike. The combination of old forest, ocean cliffs, and open beach creates a microcosm of Oregon’s coastal beauty that you can explore all in one day.
Kapalua Coastal Trail – Maui, Hawaii
On Maui’s northwest coast, the Kapalua Coastal Trail delivers one of the island’s most scenic and approachable ocean walks. Stretching roughly three miles round trip, it links Kapalua Bay with DT Fleming Beach, tracing a shoreline of lava rock, golden sand, and tide pools where waves churn in constant rhythm.
The path alternates between paved walkways and natural segments that cross ancient lava fields and coastal dunes. You’ll pass coves with water so clear it glows turquoise under the sun and watch sea turtles surface in the shallows. In winter, humpback whales breach offshore, their distant splashes visible even from shore.
Early morning offers calm air and fewer crowds, while sunset turns the cliffs and palms to silhouettes against orange light. And benches along the way make it easy to pause and take in the view. Despite its accessibility (it’s suitable for most fitness levels), you still feel connected to wild nature.
Few places on Maui balance comfort and beauty this effortlessly, where every step feels close to the sea.
Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail – Nova Scotia, Canada
Nova Scotia’s Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail captures the spirit of the North Atlantic: bold, windswept, and layered with history. The loop begins near the restored Louisbourg Lighthouse, Canada’s first, and follows the coastline for about one and a half miles before looping back through the forest.
The path is well-maintained with boardwalks and benches, yet the scenery feels anything but tame. Waves pound against rocky headlands, sending spray high into the air. The air smells of salt and lichen, and the wind carries a low moan through cracks in the cliffs. Offshore, fishing boats bob against the horizon.
Interpretive signs describe the area’s shipwrecks and lighthouse history, grounding the view in human story. Come at sunrise or in late afternoon when light spills across the granite and the sea turns silver. In summer, you might see whales or seals in the distance. And despite being close to the town of Louisbourg, the trail feels remote. It’s often just you, the lighthouse beam, and the endless roll of the Atlantic.
Jeju Olle Course 01 – Jeju Island, South Korea
Jeju Island’s Olle Trail network encircles the volcanic island with twenty-seven connected routes, but Route 01 captures everything that makes this coastline unforgettable. Starting near Siheung-ri, the path runs about ten miles along cliffs, fishing villages, and beaches framed by black basalt rock.
You’ll pass fields of canola flowers in spring, traditional stone walls, and statues of Dol Harubang, the island’s guardian figures. And the trail rises over Seongsan Ilchulbong, a volcanic tuff cone that offers a sweeping view of the East China Sea. Women divers, known as haenyeo, sometimes appear near shore, collecting shellfish by hand as they’ve done for generations.
Cafes and rest huts along the route make it easy to pause, sip tea, and take in the expanse of ocean before continuing. The mix of volcanic terrain, cultural history, and sea air creates a sensory depth few coastal hikes can match. By the time you reach the endpoint near Ojo Ri, the salt on your skin and the rhythmic crash of waves feel like permanent souvenirs from Korea’s most beloved island.
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