Coastal Trail: Flint Ridge Section

Parking for this trail is located on the west side of Coastal Drive. Cross the road and look for the trailhead a bit to the north of this pullout. This section of the Coastal Trail starts by heading past the primitive camping sites at Flint Ridge Campground. Once past the campground, the trail turns east and starts climbing with several switchbacks thrown in to ease the climb. As you are at a lower elevation here, the forest is composed mainly of red alders, small spruce, ferns, and sorrels. The trail continues its rolling climb for the first two miles. There are a couple descents thrown in to give your legs a break, but, overall, you'll continue to gain elevation. Once you reach the top of the ridge, you'll enjoy a two-mile long downhill. Here, the woods will transition to more old-growth redwoods, and you'll be impressed by the lush surroundings as the trail winds downhill. Eventually, the trail skirts Marshall Pond, before ending at Coastal Drive across from the Klamath River and the Douglas Memorial Bridge site.