One of my favorite things to do is discover a hike (online), save a hike (to my AllTrails app), and complete a hike (with my feet.) Something about the progression, the build up of excitement, and the accomplishment of this process brings me so much joy. Bonus points happen when these hikes are international, but that doesn’t mean my home country hikes are any less stellar.
One of my latest discover it, save it, complete it adventures took me to my neighbor state of Oregon. I hadn’t been to Oregon in years, so Duncan and I took a mini getaway for the Labor Day weekend. I had wanted to hike God’s Thumb for a handful of months, and while trying to decide where we should go for his three day weekend (I take full advantage of these) he suggested Oregon.
Badda Boom Badda Bing, Oregon hear me sing.
In my 33 years of life I have never been to the Oregon coast. I didn’t realize this was a fact until after our trip, but my goodness is it beautiful. It felt so much different than the Washington cost. Each are beautiful, but Oregon felt to me like I was stepping onto the coast of Ireland. Maybe I just have Europe on my mind…
We spent two nights in the small town of Falls City at an adorable tiny house surrounded by cats and chickens and rabbits and a dog. Give me an Air B&B with cats and I am a happy human. The tiny house was adorable, and perfectly situated between God’s Thumb and another hike we wanted to do, but first up was God’s Thumb.
This hike is a goldilocks hike – not too hard and not too easy. It was steeper in sections than I expected, but we managed fine and the first chunk of the trail is in the forested canopy area. Perfect for a warm summer day. Eventually the trail opens to a giant field before coming over a hill to see the first sight of the “thumb.”
I think this was my favorite hike of the summer. The crashing waves, the blue water, the unique shape of the point we were walking towards made me feel incredibly warm inside. As did the sun, it was a mistake to wear a black shirt on this hike. We spent a decent amount of time on the thumb with a plethora of other humans, but I managed to sit in different spots for different views trying to soak it all up.
I could have sat there for hours.
We chose to do the loop part of the hike, opposed to the out and back. There are multiple places to park for this hike, but the main parking area on AllTrails worked out perfectly. The lot closest to the trail fills quickly, but we started later in the day and got a front row spot. Plus, there is plenty of parking lining the road further down. Overall we hiked around 5 miles and certainly worked up an appetite.
We made it to our Air B&B around 1830, and spent the evening relaxing before our next adventure. These weekend getaways are just the right amount of adventure to fill my meter back up after feeling like I have been in one place for too long. I don’t know what it is, but something about sleeping in someone else’s house in an area I would otherwise never see brings me so much joy.
It’s the little things.
Next up: second day in Oregon – trip to Silver Falls State Park.
Q: Have you been to the Oregon coast? Apparently the Oregon coast is called the “peoples coast”, because the entirety of it is public land.
Blissfulbritt 
24 thoughts on “Let’s Go to Oregon – Hiking God’s Thumb”
WeAreOnTheLoose
Glad you got such a beautiful day for this hike! My mom and I did this years ago when I was home from college on holiday, suffice to say we got all the wind and fog and none of the views 😀 I love living an hour from the coast, we pop over all the time, it’s such a privilage but a hard won one (OPB did a special about Oregon’s land use laws and how they came about, a good listen for sure!)
Brittany
I’m sure there is still something magical about this hike in the wind and fog, but I am glad we had sun!
I will have to check out the OPB special!
hyddyr
Love the Oregon coast! It’s so different from leaving California up thru the Washington state line. Take a look at the Oregon dunes for another adventure some time.
https://www.oregonlive.com/life-and-culture/g66l-2019/09/f88a0064617673/5-places-to-go-hiking-in-the-beautiful-oregon-dunes.html
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/siuslaw/recarea/?recid=42467
Brittany
Wooowowow these dunes are so cool, thank you for sharing!
Blake
Oh my gosh, that all just looks stunning
Brittany
So much beauty.
Rootchopper
Have I ever been to the Oregon coast? Hold my beer.
Brittany
Hahaha you win all the Oregon coast adventures. I’d love to bike this coast someday!
Rootchopper
It’s beautiful but surprisingly noisy with lots of truck traffic including logging trucks,
Liz H
What a fabulous adventure. All your really make me want to hop a train and go!
Brittany
I’m thankful these little pockets of adventure are a close drive away, but a train ride would be worth it. 🤪
Amy
I haven’t been to the Oregon coast before! Just… Lots of the California coast. One of the perks of living in a beach town, I suppose! 😉 My mom loves the AllTrails app! At least, I think it’s that one… We used it for one of our hikes on our most recent vacation. It was really helpful — and you’re right! There’s something about the whole “find it, save it, complete it” process that’s really fulfilling. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear about your second day’s adventures!!
PS I love how you still use the 24-hour clock to tell time. Reading those numbers makes me feel like I’m in Europe! 😉
Brittany
I have been to the California coast a few times, and Oregon feels like a mix between California and Washington. Perfect middle ground for me haha.
I love AllTrails, I use it for everything! We’re using it for a hike we’re doing in Sweden this week. So convenient.
The 24 hour clock is forever engrained in me now. 😂
niall
I’ve never been to America nevermind Oregon but a friend of mine is from Idaho, lives in Seattle and visits the Oregon coast on a regular basis. She posts lots of amazing photos so I’m not surprised that you loved it 😊
Brittany
Your country is far more spectacular in many places than Oregon was for me, but beauty is everywhere. I’d much rather have gone to Ireland. Hopefully soon. 💃🏻
niall
🤞
Pree
Wow those views…. STUNNING
I’m hoping to eventually do some hiking in north Italy. I’m I a message group for expats but the problem is, no one has a car 😭. That makes it difficult to places I’d want to go to… Like the Dolomites haha
Brittany
Rent a car!! I rented a car to go to the Dolomites and it was so worth it. Italy has so many amazing hikes I wish I had done more.
Pree
I think I’ll have to! Problem is that once you’re registered as a resident in Italy, you can only drive with an international license, and it’s a matter of paperwork that’s not too bad, but only lasts one year. After that you *have* to get an Italian license which I will never do lol!
If I have no choice, I’ll see if I can get away with posing as a tourist 👀
Brittany
Ohhh man, that’s annoying! It was relatively easy to get an international license in Germany, I got one as well as one just for Germany so I had it, but that’s frustrating. Paperwork galore.
Atheria
Oh man, you are making me miss Oregon! The coast IS gorgeous…sometimes shockingly cold though, even in summer. I’ve been to pretty Silver Falls, so I look forward to your next update. 🙂
Brittany
I think anything aside from a Washington coast is a special treat for me. Although I love the Washington coast, THAT is a place that is always cold, and dreary. So in the right mood it can be magical.
Silver falls was VERY busy, but I was still glad to see it!
Allie Zottola
I have never been to the coast of Oregon buuuut now I need to! I’ve heard it’s beautiful and your pictures prove that to be true!
Love that Airbnb!!
Brittany
I think I loved it too because it was so quick and easy to get to. A nice break from Washington life!