{"id":7275,"date":"2021-10-21T12:44:36","date_gmt":"2021-10-21T19:44:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/?p=7275"},"modified":"2023-06-04T10:12:26","modified_gmt":"2023-06-04T17:12:26","slug":"hiking-enderts-beach-coastal-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2021\/10\/21\/hiking-enderts-beach-coastal-trail\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking to Enderts Beach Via the Coastal Trail: One of the Top North Coast Hikes!"},"content":{"rendered":"

The hike to Enderts Beach on the Coastal Trail packs a lot of beauty into its short length: sweeping vistas of ocean and cliff; lush, green forests; the canyon of Nickel Creek; and Enderts Beach itself, with its steep cliffs and opportunities for tide-pool exploration.<\/p>\n

\"Pacific
Pacific waves pulsing onto Enderts Beach. Photo taken from the Coastal Trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"This article is based on Hike 26 in my all-color guidebook Hike the Parks: Redwood National & State Parks<\/em><\/a>, which has all the best hikes along with details about camping, beaches, and other outdoor activities.<\/p>\n

You can have your local bookstore order it, you can buy it online through Amazon<\/a> or through BookShop<\/a>, and you can frequently find it for sale in Redwood National & State Park visitor centers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Coastal Trail to Enderts Beach Key Data<\/h2>\n

Distance: 1.6 miles round-trip
\nDifficulty: easy
\nElevation gain: 200 feet
\nHigh point: 200 feet
\nSeason: year-round
\nTrail surface: dirt
\nMaps: USGS Sister Rocks, Redwood National and State Parks brochure
\nContact: Redwood National Park\/Redwood National & State Parks for more information<\/a>
\nGPS: N 41 42.342 W 124 8.566
\nNotes: dogs not allowed; toilet at trailhead; picnic tables by Crescent Beach Overlook<\/p>\n

Finding the Trailhead for Enderts Beach via the Coastal Trail<\/h2>\n

Take Enderts Beach Road, which is on the west side of US Highway 101<\/a> about 0.5 mile north of where the highway leaves the forest before you reach Crescent City and 2 miles south of Elk Valley Road in Crescent City. Follow Enderts Beach Road 1.8 miles to its end at the Crescent Beach Overlook.<\/p>\n

Crescent Beach Overlook: Must Do!<\/h2>\n

Before you begin the actual hike, walk the brief distance to the Crescent Beach Overlook near the picnic area. Here you’ll find one of the best vistas on the entire West Coast: an unimpeded northward view of beach, ocean, town, field, and forest. Also look just below to the west and south for wave-pounded sea stacks rising just offshore from the steep cliffs. And if you look northwest just beyond Pebble Beach and Point St. George<\/a>, you may see the St. George Reef Lighthouse.<\/p>\n

\"Crescent
Crescent Beach and Crescent City from the Crescent Beach Overlook: one of the best views in California!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hiking the Coastal Trail to Endert’s Beach<\/h2>\n

Return to the trailhead at the south side of the main parking area, pausing to read about human and natural history on the interpretive panels. Your route is the Last Chance section of the Coastal Trail, routed along the bed of the old Redwood Highway, once the main road through the redwoods and coast of far Northern California. Prone to erosion and slides, especially in this area, the road was eventually relocated up on the ridge as present-day US 101.<\/p>\n

\"Map
Map showing the Coastal Trail and side trail leading to Enderts Beach (from the sign at the trailhead) in Redwood National Park. The Creekside Trail (not on the map) heads east\/left on the north side of Nickel Creek from a three-way junction with the Coastal Trail and the Enderts Beach side trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The way starts level and then begins a long descent as it heads south along the steep cliff. Red alder and Sitka spruce are the most common trees, but they frequently gives way to patches of coastal scrub. Stop frequently to gaze at Enderts Beach below and the Pacific Ocean expanding to the far horizon, with the sound of crashing waves in your ears.<\/p>\n

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Explore Redwood National & State Parks!<\/h4>\n

\"HikeMy compact, all-color guidebook has it all:<\/strong><\/p>\n