Eugene, Cascades & Coast Hikes

At Siuslaw bridge in Mapleton, leave Highway 126 and go south on Sweet Creek Road. A beautiful 11 mile (18 km) drive will take you to the first trailhead. Parking lots are available at each trailhead. Eleven waterfalls in all.

This easy to moderate 5.7 mile (9.2 km) through a scenic canyon follows Brice Creek with several small waterfalls and pools. Crystal clear waters and old growth forests make Brice Creek a popular spot for photography, fishing, berry picking and nature study. A moderate .25 trail to lower Trestle Creek Falls and a more difficult 2.6 mile trail adjoin Brice Creek Trail near the eastern end. The West Trailhead is approximately 50 miles (81 km) from Eugene off Row River Rd.

A difficult 2.5 mile (4 km) loop that begins at Salt Creek Falls Observation Site. From the foot bridge the trail follows along the canyon rims of Salt Creek and Diamond Creek with great views. A spur trail .25 mile from the foot bridge leads to Too Much Bear Lake. Another junction has a spur trail to the base of Upper Diamond Creek Falls. This spur contains a unique log stairway and a large cedar log foot bridge which leads to breathtaking views of the falls. Past the viewpoint, the trail splits. The Vivian Lake Trail #3662 takes off to the south while the Diamond Creek Falls Trail goes east, crossing the Forest Road #5893-420 twice before returning to Salt Creek Falls Observation Site.

The Pacific Crest Trail runs the backbone of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges. 2,638 miles from Mexico to Canada. In our part of the world, it wanders through volcanic landscapes and pristine wilderness. Hikers can pick up the trail at severa

This easy, paved 15.6 mile (25 km) trail replaced the tracks for the Oregon Pacific and Eastern Railway, which ran from Cottage Grove to Culp Creek. Watch for osprey, heron, ducks and bald eagles in the grassy marshes. In the spring look for blue Camas flowers. Great trail for families with bikes.

Day Use Fee Area/Northwest Forest Pass. Oregon's second highest waterfall, Salt Creek Falls is a popular place for visitors to relax. Viewing platforms are wheelchair accessible and allow sightseers to view the entire 286-foot (87-m) plunge of Salt Creek.

This moderate to difficult 1.7 mile (2.7 km) loop trails climbs 784 ft (235 m) before reaching the summit of Spencer Butte. The 360-degree view from the top makes this short but challenging trail worth the effort for hikers of all ages. Look for views of the Three Sisters to the east and Fern Ridge Reservoir to the west. This trail connects to the Ridgeline Trail. Watch for poison oak and rattle snakes.

Day Use Fee Area. This area is a popular destination for day trips and picnics. A short trail from the park leads to the headlands above the spectacular Heceta Head Lighthouse. Tour the lighthouse from April through October.

Steep cascade down 50-100 feet (15-30 m) on Nettie Creek.

Go along Salmon Creek Road #24 east to the end of the pavement at the creek crossing. Continue 2.5 to 3 miles (4-4.8 km), crossing Salmon Creek a second time. Turn right (south) at Black Creek R

From Highway 126, turn south onto Whittaker Creek Road. Follow signs to the trail head. Major junctions en route to the trailhead are signed. 80-90 foot (24-27 m) twin waterfalls spilling over a cliff surrounded by Douglas-fir and Western Hemlock.

The Pacific Ocean on one side, a series of lakes on the other -- with a vast beach right in the middle! The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area beckons you to its warm and inviting sand dunes.

<p>The wind-sculpted sand dunes towering to 500 feet above sea level provide numerous recreational opportunities including off-highway vehicle use, hiking, photography, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding and camping. Visitors enjoy thick “tree islands”, open dunes, marsh-like deflation plains and beaches.