Lost Coast Trail
Lost Coast Trail - King Range National Conservation Area
A remote 25-mile coastal wilderness trail along California's rugged Lost Coast. This trail traverses secluded black sand beaches, dramatic bluffs, and pristine shoreline, requiring careful tide planning for safe passage through several mandatory tide zones.
Route Direction
The Lost Coast Trail can be hiked in either direction. The default direction is Southbound to Northbound, but you can toggle the route direction in the Route Planner tab to see timing information for both directions.
Trail Statistics for Lost Coast Trail
Logistics & Information for Lost Coast Trail
permits
Permits required year-round. Reserve at recreation.gov.
bear Cans
Bear canisters required for all food storage.
best Season
May through September for best weather and lowest tides.
difficulty
Moderate to Difficult - Tide planning essential
Trailheads for Lost Coast Trail
Start: Mattole Trailhead
Northern trailhead at the end of Lighthouse Road near Petrolia.
View on Google Maps →End: Shelter Cove Trailhead
Southern trailhead at Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove.
View on Google Maps →⚠️ Tide Zones on Lost Coast Trail
The Lost Coast Trail has 4 tide-dependent sections that must be crossed at low tide. Review the Tide Calendar and Route Planner tabs for detailed timing information.