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⚡ Quick Answer: The best coastal hikes in the US: the Ocean Path (Acadia, ME), the Cape Alava–Sand Point loop (Olympic, WA), the Lost Coast (CA), McWay & Ewoldsen at Big Sur (CA), Cadillac Cliffs at Pictured Rocks (MI — yes, a freshwater coast counts), and Kalalau’s first two miles (Kauai, HI). Check tide tables where trails touch the beach — the ocean sets the schedule.
Coastal hiking is two landscapes for the price of one: the trail and the sea working on each other. Waves below, wind in the grass, and light that changes by the minute. These six coastal walks are the country’s finest — with the tide-table homework that some of them require.
Six Coastal Hikes Worth the Drive
1. Ocean Path — Acadia National Park, Maine
Two easy miles from Sand Beach past Thunder Hole to Otter Cliff — pink granite, crashing surf, and spruce. Sunrise here (America’s first light in fall and winter) is an Acadia rite.
2. Cape Alava Loop — Olympic National Park, Washington
Boardwalk through coastal forest to the wildest beach in the lower 48: sea stacks, tidepools, bald eagles, and ancient petroglyphs at Wedding Rocks. Nine miles of pure Pacific Northwest.
3. Lost Coast Trail, California
The 25-mile backpack where the highway gave up — black sand, sea lions, and tide-dependent passages (a tide table is mandatory gear; see the full write-up in our backpacking trails list).
4. McWay Falls & Ewoldsen Trail — Big Sur, California
The postcard falls plus a redwood-canyon climb to ridgeline ocean views. Big Sur in one afternoon.
5. Chapel Loop — Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
Freshwater coast, world-class: 10 miles atop 200-foot mineral-painted cliffs over Caribbean-blue Lake Superior, with Chapel Rock and beach camping. The Midwest’s finest walk.
6. Kalalau Trail (first 2 miles) — Kauai, Hawaii
The permit-free section to Hanakāpīʻai Beach delivers the Nā Pali cliffs in all their drama. Respect the stream crossings after rain — this trail floods fast.
Coastal Hiking Rules
- Tide tables are navigation gear: beach sections and headland passages can close with the tide — plan around lows, know the times cold.
- Never turn your back on the ocean: sneaker waves take people off rocks every year. Stay off wet, sloping ledges.
- Wind and sun double up: a breeze hides sunburn until it’s done — cover up (our sun rules apply at the beach too).
- Cliff edges erode from beneath; that grassy lip may be an overhang. Photograph from the trail.
- Tidepools: touch nothing, move nothing — look, wonder, walk on.
Pack the day-hike kit plus a windbreaker regardless of forecast, and pair a coastal hike with beach camping for the full salt-air weekend.
Recommended Gear
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best coastal hikes in the US?
Standout coastal hikes include the Lost Coast in California, the rugged trails of Acadia in Maine, Olympic National Park in Washington, and the cliffs of Big Sur. These trails combine ocean views, wildlife, and dramatic shorelines for some of the most scenic hiking in the country.
What should I bring on a coastal hike?
Pack sun protection, layers for changing coastal weather, plenty of water, and sturdy footwear for sand and rock. Check tide tables, since some coastal routes are only passable at low tide, and bring a map. Wind and fog can shift quickly, so prepare for cool, damp conditions even in summer.
Do I need to check tides for coastal hiking?
Yes, for many coastal routes it is essential. Some beaches and headlands are only safe to cross at low tide, and rising water can strand hikers. Consult a tide chart, plan your timing around low tide, and never get trapped against a cliff by an incoming tide.
Written by Sarah Brooks · Hiking & National Parks
Sarah fell in love with the outdoors on a childhood trip to the Smokies and has logged thousands of trail miles across 30+ national parks since. She is happiest above treeline with a map in hand.
