Newport’s two historic lighthouses are both popular tourist destinations, but they also serve as starting points for easy hiking explorations of Newport’s scenic coast. Begin at the Yaquina Head lighthouse, on a dramatic cape with a modern interpretive center. Then drive into town to visit the older Yaquina Bay lighthouse, where a 3-mile loop takes you through Old Town to the bayfront.

To find Yaquina Head, drive . . .

To visit Newport’s older Yaquina Bay lighthouse, drive . . .

Locals claim the Yaquina Bay lighthouse is haunted, in part because the building was abandoned after only three years.  Planners had intended for a supporting lighthouse to be placed 10 miles north at Cape Foulweather, but a local Army colonel ordered it built nearer instead, on the more accessible Yaquina Head.  The mixup left the older Yaquina Bay lighthouse superfluous.

For the hike, go down stone steps . . .

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes : Oregon Coast