Astoria’s biggest spruce hides on a 3-mile loop, and the trail ends at a free tower
Most people drive to the top of Coxcomb Hill, hop out, and miss the best part of Astoria’s famous tower. The better move is to earn it on foot, past a Sitka spruce that stands more than 200 feet tall and about 8.5 feet across.
The whole thing is a gentle lollipop loop, and the payoff at the top costs nothing to climb. Ready to trade the parking lot for the trail?
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The numbers on this one
It’s about 3 miles as a loop, with roughly 565 feet of climbing, and it rates as easy and family friendly. You’ll feel the first stretch in your calves because it climbs steadily, but it never turns technical.
The trail starts at the Irving Avenue trailhead partway up the hill. Street parking there is very limited, so plan to arrive early or have a driver drop you off.
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Meet the Cathedral Tree
The namesake spruce sits just off the trail, and it’s the kind of tree that makes you tip your head back and go quiet. Boardwalks, wooden steps and tangled roots carry you through a mossy forest of spruce and hemlock to reach it.
Here’s my one firm opinion: the tree alone justifies the detour. Skip it and you’ve basically just visited a parking lot with a view.
The tower at the top
The trail crosses a road and pops out at the Astoria Column, a 125-foot tower you can climb for free. A spiral staircase leads to the top, where you can see the mouth of the Columbia River, the Astoria-Megler Bridge and Saddle Mountain.
Restrooms are at the Column, so it makes a good turnaround spot before heading back down. Dogs are welcome on the trail on a leash, but not inside the tower.
What to know before you go
Steps and puddles get slick fast after rain, so wear shoes with real grip. If you do drive up instead, parking at the Column runs about $5.
Making a longer trip of it? Our guide to the best things to do in Astoria covers where to eat, drink and wander once your legs recover.
Would you hike up for the giant tree, or save your legs and drive straight to the tower?
Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.
Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.
