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Oregon

A Hiking Adventure Along Oregon's Central Coast

Program No. 4896RJ
Hike old-growth forests along the Oregon Coast as you learn about local ecosystems, explore coastal dunes. Choose from two hiking options of varying distances and elevations.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Florence, OR
Program Concludes
Florence, OR
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
13 ( 5B, 4L, 4D )
Activity Level
The Oregon Coast abounds in spectacular scenery and diverse natural habitats, from coastal mountains and temperate rainforests to ocean beaches and historic lighthouses. Led by experienced local interpretive experts, immerse yourself in a variety of ecosystems with day hikes offering longer spirited or shorter relaxed choices. Marvel at old-growth forests of towering Sitka spruce and Douglas fir, walk along a mountain stream with numerous cascading waterfalls and explore the vast Oregon Dunes and the spectacular basalt shoreline of the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Enjoy hikes through lush coastal rainforests, explore the grounds of the Heceta Head Lighthouse and experience the beauty of the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area.
  • Ride in a dune transporter for stunning views of the vast Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the largest coastal dune complex in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Hike one of the most scenic trails on the Oregon coast, the Sweet Creek Falls Trail, with its 13 cascading waterfalls.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Liisa Ivary is an experienced hiker, athlete, professional actor, director, choreographer, voice artist, and teacher who has spent seven seasons in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival acting company. Liisa has been in the OSF education department since 2006, and has hiked all over California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah during acting seasons. She has also been a professional fitness instructor for 20 years. Liisa holds an MFA in acting from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and a B.A. in English literature from Santa Clara University.
Dina Pavlis has been a U.S. Forest Service volunteer interpretive ranger on the Oregon Dunes for 20 years on the central Oregon coast. Producer/host of the syndicated radio show, "Beyond Your Front Door Northwest," and author of "Secrets of the Oregon Dunes," Dina is an avid hiker, outdoor enthusiast, and nature photographer. She has been featured on Oregon Public Broadcasting's "Think Out Loud" and NPR's "Oregon Grapevine." She is an Oregon Coast Quests builder and member of the Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative.
Natalie DaSilva is an Oregon Master Naturalist and Certified Interpretive Guide who enjoys nothing more than sharing her love for the natural and cultural history of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. After a long and rewarding career in health care, she is now focused on developing programs to inspire others to discover, experience, and protect these natural and cultural wonders. An avid hiker, Natalie spends much of her free time exploring the unique landscapes of Oregon and surrounding areas.
Josh Welch has been living and hiking in Oregon for 15 years. As an expat Yankee, he sees the Pacific Northwest as an enjoyable haven after a long career in tech. He enjoys staying active, gardening, walking his dog, and cooking.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
I enjoy getting my heart going on my bike or on trails. Nothing beats the thrill of taking on a rewarding climb or ride on varied terrain with inclines. Let’s keep moving — occasional stops only, please.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
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Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.