Lost Coast is a wilderness hike in the heart of coastal California. Towering sea cliffs, rough hills and tranquil beaches are surrounded by vast redwood forests and miles of wilderness. The trail is awe-inspiring, and a backpack on the Lost Coast is an experience you will never forget.
The Lost Coast is a remote stretch of the Northern California coastline, dotted with sand and boulder-strewn beaches. Visitors come here to beachcomb, explore tide pools, scramble over craggy rocks, and spy on Roosevelt elk grazing in bluff-top prairies or sleepy harbor seals on the shore. The region is also renowned for the Lost Coast Trail-North, a three-day beach trek that winds its way between Shelter Cove in Mendocino County and Mattole River in Humboldt County.
The best time to hike the Lost Coast is from April through September, when weather is typically clear and temperatures are warm. However, this is also the busiest time of year on the trail, and permits are highly sought after. Regardless of the season, the Lost Coast Trail is one of the most difficult backpacking experiences in the country. It is a very technical trail with multiple stream crossings, steep elevation changes and a significant amount of sand. During wet years, the trail may be impassable due to high rainfall and flooding, and snow can blanket the King Range mountains above. Ensure that you have proper backpacking gear and the necessary skills for hiking this wild trail before arriving.
