Lost Coast Trail

Lost Coast Trail is a one-way, coastal backpacking hike on undeveloped Northern California shoreline, running between Mattole River Trailhead at the northern end and Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove at the southern end. The route is about 90.3 km (90.29 km mapped) and is commonly done as a 3 to 4 day trip.

Terrain is a mix of soft sand, loose rocks, and slippery boulders, so progress is slower than the distance would suggest. Much of the route is built around the beach tread, with long stretches that can include rocky tidal areas and sandy walking.

Tides are the defining constraint: several multi-mile stretches become completely impassable at high tide, so you need a tide table and must time those sections for outgoing water (around 3 feet or less) to avoid getting trapped between the ocean and cliffline.

Overnight camping requires a backcountry permit, and reservation rules are managed through Recreation.gov/BLM King Range wilderness permitting. The route also has specific camping limits, including “no camping” at the Black Sands Beach trailhead, plus additional restrictions that apply north of Telegraph Creek.

Water is generally available via freshwater streams along the route, but you still need to filter. Plan to pack for variable, remote conditions and follow pack-in/pack-out practices.

The northern section from Mattole to Black Sands Beach is about 24.6 miles (moderately level), while the southern section through Sinkyone Wilderness State Park from Hidden Valley to Needle Rock is about 9 miles with moderate elevation change; you can extend beyond that through Sinkyone Wilderness State Park for additional miles if you want more time on-trail.

More information: Wikipedia, The Lost Coast Trail: South, Lost Coast Trail