Whitethorn, California

Looking for the best hiking in Whitethorn? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Whitethorn. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Whitethorn

  • Whitethorn, California

    Chinquapin Loop on The Lost Coast

    4.0
    7.87 mi / 2159 ft gain
    I did this hike the day before setting out on a backpacking trip along the northern section of The Lost Coast Trail and it was a fantastic warm up hike. The Chinquapin Loop is a loop off of The Lost Coast Trail along Chemise Mountain, near the start of the southern section of the LCT. You can st...
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  • Whitethorn, California

    Jackass Creek via Lost Coast Trail

    23 mi / 8071 ft gain
    The Lost Coast is infamous. For its name alone draws visitors from around California and the world. A 26-mile stretch of coast, road less, with a wall like mountain range just yards from the ocean and beach. But with the Lost Coast being what it is, there is a lesser-known, yet equally stunning h...
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  • Whitethorn, California

    Black Sands Beach on the Lost Coast

    5.0
    0.5 mi
    Black Sands Beach and all of the Lost Coast is almost indescribable in its ruggedness and beauty. Black Sands Beach sits along the southern portion of of the famous Lost Coast Trail, and is accessible by one of the two roads that go across the King Range to the ocean. From 101 in Garberville, hea...
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  • Whitethorn, California

    King's Peak from Shelter Cove

    2.0
    30.85 mi / 6204 ft gain
    After parking at Shelter Cove and securing a camping permit ($3 per night in the backcountry) follow the bear prints down the coastline for 5 miles, keeping in mind that the tide devours the beach every 12 hours. Parts of the beach become impassable at high tide. Camp overnight at Buck Creek, th...
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  • Garberville, California

    King's Peak via Lightning Trailhead

    5.0
    4.79 mi / 1942 ft gain
    King's Peak is the tallest peak in the King Range, the home of the famous and spectacular "Lost Coast". At an elevation of 4,000' and less than 3 miles from the ocean, King's Peak provides stunning views in all directions: of canyons, beaches, foggy valleys, and the many greenhouses that dot the ...
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  • Garberville, California

    Explore the Avenue of the Giants

    5.0
    The Avenue of the Giants is a scenic 31 mile long highway that is surrounded by 51,222 acres of giant redwood trees in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This road offers amazing views of the redwoods. The Avenue of the Giants runs through many small towns that offer tons of tourist attractions.Th...
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  • Whitethorn, California

    Camp at Usal Beach on the Lost Coast

    5.0
    Getting to Usal beach can be a little tricky, but it is well worth the effort. Usal Road (Mendocino Country Rd 431) is found 13 miles north of Westport or 14.5 miles southwest of Legget on Highway 1. The turn off is extremely easy to miss so it is recommended to use your odometer to gauge how clo...
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  • Leggett, California

    Taber Nature Trail

    0.81 mi / 217 ft gain
    Signs at the trail head for the Taber Trail state it is 1.1 miles long. That is much shorter than the actual 1.8 miles my GPS put it at. The trail sign also claims it is wheelchair accessible. I can see that for a little ways but as the trail begins to climb, I think this would be a tough go.  Th...
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  • Humboldt County, California

    Hike the Humboldt Redwoods River Trail

    3.4 mi / 450 ft gain
    You probably won't find as many people along this trail (which I like!) as it's unmarked and sits just south of Rockefeller Loop which draws a good number of visitors, primarily because it has the tallest trees (also definitely worth a visit!). The River Trail is a relatively short, flat hike wit...
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  • Humboldt County, California

    Hike the Rockefeller Forest Loop

    0.7 mi / 20 ft gain
    From the Avenue of the Giants turn west onto Mattole Road. Continue 1.5 miles to the Rockefeller Forest trailhead.Rockefeller Forest is a less well known grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It's distance from the main road shelters the forest from traffic noise. The trail is wide and smooth, ...
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  • Redcrest, California

    Hike through the Founder's Grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

    5.0
    1.3 mi
    The Founder's Grove is easily accessed from Highway 101 in northern California. The grove is also on the Avenue of the Giants Scenic Highway. This area, named after the founders of the Save the Redwoods League, is flat and has a relatively open understory making it one of the most picturesque gro...
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  • Petrolia, California

    The Lost Coast: Mattole to Black Sands Beach

    4.8
    25.05 mi / 653 ft gain
    This is an absolutely stunning 25 mile thru-hike on the northern part of California's coast. To accomplish this hike, you'll either need to bring 2 cars or use a shuttle service. It's recommended that you drop one car at the Shelter Cove Trailhead (40.0455053,-124.0778196) and either use one of t...
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  • Westport, California

    Northern Mendocino Camping and Surf Adventure

    4.5
    I know it can be difficult to find access and opportunities to camp for free on the beach. Look no further, Blues Beach is off the beaten path and offers year round surf and free camping. It’s 200 miles North of San Francisco and a few miles North of Fort Bragg. As long as you keep your eyes on t...
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  • Fort Bragg, California

    Glass Beach

    4.0
    Glass Beach is located at MacKerricher State Park in Fort Bragg, CA along the Pacific Coast Highway in Northern California. Take Elm street toward the beach and the parking lot entrance for glass beach will be located on the left at the bend. From here, its a short walk on some pathways. This be...
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  • Mendocino, California

    Camp at Russian Gulch State Park

    Just two miles north of Mendocino, you'll find this beautiful, well-maintained park that features a little bit of everything. The campsite is situated between a rugged beach and a stunning 36-ft waterfall, giving you plenty of easy and fun options.This park is most well known for the heavily fore...
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