How to Hike Lost Coast Trail
Lost Coast Trail is one of California's great weekend hikes. The trail is a 25-mile trek one-way through an extremely isolated, remote stretch of northern California coastline. Hikers can set up their own car shuttle with one car parked at each end of Lost Coast Trail. Alternatively, there is a paid shuttle service that's available. Read on to learn more.
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Instructions
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Drive north on U.S. 101 from Garberville to the South Fork-Honeydew exit. Exit and drive west on Bull Creek Road. Continue 23 miles to Mattole Road.
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Take a right on Mattole Road and go 14 miles. Turn left on Lighthouse Road, after the second bridge and about one mile before Petrolia. The trailhead is just past Mattole Campground.
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Head south from the campground at Lighthouse Road on the abandoned jeep trail for a simple day hike. Take the road about 3 miles to the Punta Gorda Lighthouse, where you'll get a glimpse of what the Lost Coast Trail is like.
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Make sure to wear firm-fitting, waterproof boots with good gripping soles for this hike. The terrain includes sand, wet creeks, and boulders to climb.
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Tips & Warnings
Do this hike from north to south, so that you have the brisk north winds at your back, not in your face.
The deli at Shelter Cove is a great stop for fish and chips.
Some parts of Lost Coast Trail are impassable during high tides. It's important to have a tide table.
At night, bear-proof any food you are carrying.
