Nestled in a forest on the Oregon Coast, untold treasures sit hiding in plain sight, just waiting to be discovered and admired. The Cathedral Tree is one such special treasure. Standing some 200 feet tall and estimated to be 300-years-old, this Sitka spruce is Mother Nature’s most marvelous roadside attraction; a natural wonder waiting at the end of a short-and-sweet, 1.6-mile hike. Come and traverse the forests of the North Oregon Coast on an immensely scenic trail that unfolds like a real-life fairy tale.
There are some things in nature that man will never be able to replicate; the giant, old-growth trees of the PNW are some of those.
In Astoria, Oregon, the Cathedral Tree Trail takes intrepid explorers on a journey to one of the oldest residents in the state: a 300-year-old Sitka spruce known as the Cathedral Tree.
The forest around the Cathedral Tree has changed in recent years, though this king has remained stalwart. A massive gale in 2007 brought hurricane-force winds to Astoria, uprooting many trees in its path. The Cathedral Tree itself remained, though many of its upper branches were lost to the storm.
The hike itself is simple and straightforward. It’s roughly 1.6 miles and well-paved, though the dirt footpath can be a bit slippery following a heavy rain.
But don’t mistake its ease for a lack of scenic splendor. This trail traverses some of the most verdant and lush forests on the Oregon Coast, passing several superlative giants along the way…
Truly, the Cathedral Tree Trail is like something out of a fairy tale. When dwarfed by this 200-foot king and his court, you’ll feel a bit like Alice in Wonderland, in the most marvelous, wondrous way.
Have you wandered along this fairy tale trail in Oregon before? Come and traverse the forests of the North Coast on the Cathedral Tree Trail, a fairy tale trail in Oregon that leads to a 300 year-old giant.
Looking for another impressive monolith in the North Oregon Coast? The nearby Octopus Tree might just be our favorite “roadside attraction” in Oregon!
