Amanda Trail features old-growth forest, ocean views on central Oregon Coast

Editor's note: This story was originally published in June.  We are republishing it as we look back at some of our most-read stories of the year. 

It's not always clear how to explore the rugged beauty between the coastal town of Yachats and Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. Both are popular. Both are beautiful. But there are so many roadside parking lots and turn offs it can get confusing.

A simpler, scenic route to exploring this area is to combine town and cape on the Amanda Trail, a 6-mile out-and-back trek that begins in Yachats and ends atop Cape Perpetua's most striking viewpoint. On the way, you'll take in local art, history and dense old growth forest.

The upshot? Fewer crowds and even more natural beauty. Hikers may get a workout in while they're at it, too. If Yachats is "the gem of the Oregon Coast," than this trail is its crown jewel.

Finding the trail

The trailhead can be accessed from the south end of the Yachats Ocean Road, or the east side of the intersection of U.S. Highway 101 and Windy Way a quarter mile south. There is very limited public parking near the Windy Way trailhead, so it is recommended to park on the Yachats Ocean Road and begin the trail there.

This trail is open year-round. Most of the trail is under thick forest cover, making it the perfect hike for mild, rainy coastal winter days or sunny spring and early summer.

A map can be found at bit.ly/3N95IOS. The map is accurate but begins at the Windy Way trailhead. The city website recommends you start the trail from its official beginning, at the south end of the Yachats Ocean Road.

A stroll through town

After parking along the Yachats Ocean Road, you can find the trail on the south end of the one-way beach access loop near its intersection with Highway 101. The trail follows the west side of Highway 101 through residential areas before crossing the road at Windy Way after a quarter mile.

Once across the road, the trail picks up on your right-hand side, moving along the highway southbound. In this early section of trail, you’ll encounter the first of two statues on the Amanda Trail, which are a pair of black bears by local artist Sy Meadow.

After about 0.6 miles alongside Highway 101, the trail runs into a gravel forest road. Once there, turn left and follow signs for the trail, which picks up roughly 50 feet east on the right side of the forest road. Taking a right onto the trail, the pathway travels out of sight and earshot of the highway down a gentle slope.

After a few minutes, the trail comes to a suspension bridge. Below the bridge and down to the left is Amanda’s grotto, surrounded by several benches and flowers, dream-catchers and necklaces wrapped around the statue’s neck. This is as good a spot as any to take a break, have a sip of water and allow yourself to drop into the sounds and sights of nature, while connecting with the history and people that travelled these hills long before.

Who is Amanda?

A statue and several information plaques along the lower portion of the trail provide a glimpse into the dark history of the place while honoring the Indigenous legacy of the Oregon Coast.

According to the plaques, the trail travels through part of what once was the Coast Reservation — an area created by treaty in 1855 to house several native tribes. After its foundation, militias began rounding up Native Americans from around the state and bringing them to the reservation, which often meant long marches over rugged, wild terrain. In 1864, among those marched to the reservation was Amanda De-Cuys, a blind Coos woman who had been living with her white husband and child near Coos Bay.

According to journal entries from Cpl. Royal Bensell, who led the company that detained De-Cuys, the elderly woman went through several horrors during the 50-mile journey. Forced to leave her family behind, she moved gingerly with bleeding feet over the jagged, rough terrain. Bensell and the company considered leaving her for dead because of slowed travel and added expenses.

Eventually, De-Cuys made it to the reservation, but her fate from there is uncertain. The reservation was disbanded in 1875 for white settlement and Native Americans were sent to the Grand Ronde reservation and the Siletz reservation, where several tribes and cultures were confederated into shared geographic areas.

Over 100 years later, Siuslaw National Forest trail planner Loyd Collett proposed to name the new path the Amanda Trail, dedicating the trail to De-Cuys and the many Native Americans who made the harrowing journey in the mid-1800s.

Trail features a steep climb

The section immediately following the suspension bridge goes steeply uphill for about 0.8 miles. In its entirety, the Amanda Trail climbs 1,450 feet in elevation, making for a good workout.

The trail heads uphill through a lush ravine with old growth forest, thick ferns, mushrooms and moss.

After crossing the small creek, the trail levels out, with brief, mellow inclines before plateauing completely. It’s a well-timed opportunity to catch your breath. Looking to the right side of the trail, you’ll catch glimpses of the ocean and the dramatic Oregon coastline.

The wet, muddy trail is prime habitat for banana slugs, and you may see a couple smaller garter snakes. Eagles, owls and other raptors are present and can be spotted with a naked eye flapping about the overstory.

From mile 1.5 to the Cape Perpetua lookout, the trail features more switchbacks than before, featuring a few brief downhill sections as well. Roughly 1.4 miles after crossing the creek and traversing along the forested ridgeline, the trail reaches Cape Perpetua lookout.

It’s tempting to walk along the Cape Perpetua access road for the final quarter mile but try to abstain. The brief stretch of trail near the top of the lookout has the best views of the entire hike.

Spend a few minutes to take in the scenery up top. Take time for this hike and bring some binoculars.

Cape Perpetua is prime for whale watching if it's a clear day. Whales can be spotted throughout the year on the Oregon Coast, but spring and early summer can be fruitful, especially if you’re interested in seeing some orcas.

Up top, your options are almost endless. The trail system at Cape Perpetua offers numerous trails to different viewpoints. When you’re ready to call it a day, head back the way you came.

The Amanda Trail offers the ideal out-and-back hike from sea to summit. Its beautiful vistas, thick forests, wildlife and history give hikers an all-encompassing outdoor experience on the Oregon Coast.

The Amanda Trail

In a nutshell: A hike through old growth in route to breath-taking panoramic views of the central Oregon Coast.

Trip: 5.9 miles out-and-back.

Location: 0.9 Miles south of Yachats on U.S. Highway 101. Coordinates: 44.298623, -124.108694

Trailhead: At the intersection of Yachats Ocean Road and Highway 101.

Weather: This hike is an excellent choice year-round.

When to go: This trail is moderately trafficked. If you want the place to yourself, start early or go on a weekday.

Fee: No fee to park at the Yachats Ocean Road trailhead. If parking at the top of Cape Perpetua, a $5 fee or recreation pass is required.

Map: bit.ly/3N95IOS

Directions: Walk or drive south from downtown Yachats along Highway 101 before crossing the Yachats River bridge. Take your first right turn onto the Yachats Ocean Road and follow the loop until its intersection with Highway 101. The trail will be at the corner.

Charles Gearing is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at cgearing@gannett.com.