Do you love winter in Oregon? To get you pumped for the coldest season of the year, we have an incredible hike in Oregon that most definitely belongs on your winter bucket list. Travel + Leisure recently named their top eight winter hikes in the U.S., and Oregon’s Cape Falcon Trail made the list for its scenic beauty and whale-watching opportunities. Here’s more about this gorgeous trail, and why it’s one of the best winter hikes in Oregon:

For Oregonians, hiking is a year-round activity. Getting to experience the rugged beauty of the Beaver State all year long is something we don’t take for granted.

Raymond Crick/AllTrails

And our secret’s out, it seems, with Travel + Leisure naming Oregon’s Cape Falcon Trail on its list of America’s Best and Most Beautiful Winter Hikes.

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The publication chose these superlative treks based on three main criteria: beautiful views, wildlife-spotting opportunities, and fewer crowds.

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And the 4.6-mile Cape Falcon Trail fit the bill.

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Located on the Oregon Coast in the beautiful Oswald West State Park (one of our favorites!), the Cape Falcon Trail features jaw-dropping views of the eponymous headland. It’s a favorite trek for birding and…

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…whale watching.

Oregon State Parks/Facebook

Travel + Leisure explained, “If you need more than stunning vistas to get you hiking in the winter, head to Oregon where you might glimpse a pod of gray whales midway through your day. On the approximately five-mile Cape Falcon Trail, you’ll reach a 100-foot outcropping where you can pull out your binoculars and monitor the wintery water for their telltale spray.”

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If you’re into winter whale watching, your chances of spotting a whale are best in December and January when these majestic mammals are migrating from the Bering Sea to Baja.

Eli Duke/Flickr

Of course, this spot along the Oregon Coast is also a favorite for surfing and stand-up paddle boarding – even in the winter!

Afton Li/AllTrails

Oregon’s year-round beauty never ceases to take our breath away. And in the winter when Cape Falcon is drenched in the golden glow of early sunsets and cold, clear skies, we guarantee you’ll be enchanted by this breathtaking beauty, too.

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Have you ever tackled the Cape Falcon Trail before? What are your favorite winter hikes in Oregon? Share your top trails with us in the comments! And if you are looking for even more beautiful places to visit this winter in Oregon, check out our list of eight magical winter drives in Oregon that will take you to some remarkable views and enchanting winter wonderlands!

Raymond Crick/AllTrails

Sung Kokko/Google Local

Matt Tyler/Google Local

Cyndi Monaghan/Moment Collection via Getty Images

Dawson Powers/Moment Open Collection via Getty Images

Oregon State Parks/Facebook

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Eli Duke/Flickr

Afton Li/AllTrails

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Wondering what to pack on your winter trip in Oregon? We can help!

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Address: Cape Falcon Trailhead, Arch Cape, OR 97102, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Winter hike in the U.S. December 02, 2022 Courtnie Erickson What are some of the best winter hikes in the U.S.? If you love hiking, you are in luck as there are incredible winter hikes in America. All around the country, you will find hiking trails that will take you to incredible views, through fascinating terrain, and on unforgettable adventures. A few of the best winter hikes in the U.S. include:

Cascade Mountain, New York Mount Wilson Trail, Southern California Linville Gorge, North Carolina Boise River Greenbelt, Idaho Katy Trail, Missouri

  What are some of the best winter hikes in Oregon? Here in Oregon, we have hiking trails that are simply magical in the winter, especially after a fresh snowfall. Some of the best winter hikes in Oregon include:

Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop Hike Wildwood Trail Cape Lookout Elowah Falls

  What are some other fun things to do in the winter in Oregon? Winter in Oregon is paradise. One of our favorite things to do during this time of year is to explore our great state and some of our favorite winter destinations in Oregon include:

Wallowa Mountains The Coast Various frozen waterfalls Mt. Hood Crater Lake

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Winter hike in the U.S.

December 02, 2022

Courtnie Erickson

What are some of the best winter hikes in the U.S.? If you love hiking, you are in luck as there are incredible winter hikes in America. All around the country, you will find hiking trails that will take you to incredible views, through fascinating terrain, and on unforgettable adventures. A few of the best winter hikes in the U.S. include:

Cascade Mountain, New York Mount Wilson Trail, Southern California Linville Gorge, North Carolina Boise River Greenbelt, Idaho Katy Trail, Missouri

  What are some of the best winter hikes in Oregon? Here in Oregon, we have hiking trails that are simply magical in the winter, especially after a fresh snowfall. Some of the best winter hikes in Oregon include:

Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop Hike Wildwood Trail Cape Lookout Elowah Falls

  What are some other fun things to do in the winter in Oregon? Winter in Oregon is paradise. One of our favorite things to do during this time of year is to explore our great state and some of our favorite winter destinations in Oregon include:

Wallowa Mountains The Coast Various frozen waterfalls Mt. Hood Crater Lake

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

If you love hiking, you are in luck as there are incredible winter hikes in America. All around the country, you will find hiking trails that will take you to incredible views, through fascinating terrain, and on unforgettable adventures. A few of the best winter hikes in the U.S. include:

  • Cascade Mountain, New York
  • Mount Wilson Trail, Southern California
  • Linville Gorge, North Carolina
  • Boise River Greenbelt, Idaho
  • Katy Trail, Missouri

 

What are some of the best winter hikes in Oregon?

Here in Oregon, we have hiking trails that are simply magical in the winter, especially after a fresh snowfall. Some of the best winter hikes in Oregon include:

  • Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop Hike
  • Wildwood Trail
  • Cape Lookout
  • Elowah Falls

What are some other fun things to do in the winter in Oregon?

Winter in Oregon is paradise. One of our favorite things to do during this time of year is to explore our great state and some of our favorite winter destinations in Oregon include:

  • Wallowa Mountains
  • The Coast
  • Various frozen waterfalls
  • Mt. Hood
  • Crater Lake