What Hobbit Trail?

Some days we just need a hike. We look a little, pick one and go. It's usually, completely random. We like it that way. It's how we find some pretty cool stuff. Like accidentally hiking the Hobbit Trail on Oregons' central coast.

The Hobbit Trail is kinda famous. It's talked about for it's beauty, other worldy charm and Tolkien reference. I was pretty disappointed. But we'll get to that later.

We started our hike at Carl G Washburne day use area. We actually took the Valley Trail from the camp ground, around the inland side of the hwy, crossed the hwy to the Hobbit Trail.

Instead of walking back the way we came, we decided to walk up the beach to where our car was parked. It was a GREAT choice. You can see from my blue line estimate of our treck that the Beach Walk far more meandering than the trail portion.

Scroll through and see the general path for yourself.

Day Use Area

Mini trail.

Let Out

Camping area

China Creek loop

Dead End

Hobbit Trail

Hobbit Hole??

Oregons Coast

Beach Walk

The best parts though, were not the logistics of the trail, of course.

Spider Web

Fallen Log

Sunny Trees

Big Tree

Hobbit Hole

A Boy and His Stick

Cliff Side

Little Kids in a Big World

Photo Bomb

We loved everything about this trail. We'll absolutely do it again in other season. The terrain was simple and easy. While a good 4 miles (est.) it was never strenuous. #MoonSeeker walked the complete trail side and some of the beach side too before ending up in the Tula.

What I was disappointed with was the Hobbit Trail. I was expecting a more epic other worldy transportation to take place. It was beautiful. Yes. It was amazing as a wooded trail of Oregon tends to be. Yes. Was it magical in the sense that I felt right there in Frodo's house? Or even on his lawn? Or even in the general vicinity of the Shire? Nope. Nope. And Nope.

Putting the Hobbit Trail disappointment aside, I can't say enough good things about the Valley Trail and it's mini trail connections.

If you're on the coast and suddenly wanna walk a few miles in the lush forests of the Pacific North West, this is a great place to do that.

Taps. Taps, lights out.

PS

Don't forget to check out IG and our FaceBook page for more pictures and info on our After Taps Adventures.

#navy #retirement #Oregon #Hiking #trails #Beach #hobbit #valleytrail #CarlGWashburne