This nationally recognized coastal trail is a recreational highlight of Washington State. Start at the bronze sculpture of a condor at the Port of Ilwaco and follow the 8.3-mile trail out of this working fishing village on Main Street to where it steeply ascends the Cape Disappointment headlands. Proceed through fern-laden temperate rainforests past huge, old specimens of Sitka spruce. On the descent, watch out for a short, steep section of trail that is not paved (best to walk it if you are on a road bike). At the bottom, a boardwalk crosses the wetlands at Beard’s Hollow before the trail leads toward the Pacific Ocean and continues north following the contours of the grassy sand dunes. At the Seaview beach approach (38th Place), turn around and head back to Ilwaco for lunch or continue on the trail past Seaview and the Long Beach boardwalk all the way to Clark’s Tree (about a mile north of Long Beach) and back. At the Port of Ilwaco, grab lunch at Salt Pub and Waterline Pub. For parking, there is a free public lot on the opposite side of Howerton Ave., which can be busy during the fishing season.
