Fern Trail

The Fern Trail is one of only a couple of marked hiking routes within Humbug Mountain State Park. Beginning behind a gate near the entrance to Humbug Mountain State Park Campground, it follows the remains of an old portion of Highway 101 as it climbs and wraps around the mountain before dropping slightly toward the current highway route. The trail also makes up a portion of the Oregon Coast Hiking Trail. The Fern Trail provides incredible views over its relatively short length, and it ultimately arrives at a bench perched high overlooking the Pacific Ocean with views of nearby Humbug Mountain as well as the town of Port Orford in the distance. It is a great area to stretch your legs and get a little hiking in when staying at the campground or passing through the area. Signed examples of the various ferns growing throughout the area lie in visible areas alongside the lower portion of the hike. The trail climbs about 350 feet along the trail as it hugs the forested mountainside before emerging along the exposed western face of the slope. From here it drops about 75 feet over the steady walk to a signed side trail leading to an interpretive sign and bench looking over the sea. It may be worth carrying a pair of binoculars, as whales have been known to frequent the waters around Port Orford throughout the year. Aside from a lone picnic table at about the halfway point of the walk out, there are no amenities along the trail. There is water and flush toilets at the campground near the trailhead. All in all, the out-and-back hike is about 4.6 miles roundtrip.