Elk Flats Overlook Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Geological Significance · Views · Wildflowers

No toilet at the parking area. Oswald West is just down the road with restrooms and water.

This trail is an informal, short but steep hike that branches off from the Elk Flats Trail to the south and makes it way downhill through the meadow. The trail skirts a forested hill and crosses a small stream that empties into the ocean. This part is steep and muddy, many people appear to have slid down the hill.

There are tall salal bushes on either side that block the views and make the trail feel narrow and closed in. It can be difficult to pass other hikers.

After hopping across the stream, the trail turns and heads out onto a narrow finger of rock with abrupt cliffs on either side going down into the ocean. This overlook gives an amazing view of waves crashing onto the rocks, rolling through arches and into sea caves, and the wild cliffs to the north and south. Spectacular at sunset, this viewpoint is not to be missed.

Beware of the relatively narrow rocky peninsula with cliffs on either side that do not have any kind of safeguards against falling. Be especially aware of pets and children, as a fall from here would be extremely hazardous.

Salal