The God's Thumb hike

For years, God’s Thumb had been sitting quietly on my Oregon bucket list — a dramatic basalt formation rising above the Pacific, one of the most iconic viewpoints on the entire coast. Every time I saw photos of that sharp green ridge and the ocean stretching endlessly behind it, I felt the same pull: I need to stand there myself.

Yesterday, I finally did.

The only real challenge with God’s Thumb isn’t the trail — it’s the popularity. Lincoln City is close enough to Portland, Salem, and the entire central valley that weekends turn the trailhead into a parking battlefield. Add a 2.5‑hour drive from Eugene, and arriving at a reasonable hour becomes nearly impossible.

So I did what any determined hiker would do: I arrived the day before and stayed in a motel. That simple decision changed everything.

At 8 AM, I stepped onto the trail with only a handful of other hikers around. The air was cool, the sky lightly clouded, and the forest still waking up. Perfect hiking conditions.

I began at the Knoll Trailhead, which is the cleaner, more official access point. But instead of following the standard Knoll Trail immediately, I took the path that skirts the right side of The Knoll Open Space. It’s slightly longer, but absolutely worth it — quiet, lush, and beautifully framed by coastal vegetation.

The trail winds through forest, opens into meadows, and gradually reveals the coastline. And then, suddenly, there it is: God’s Thumb, rising like a green dagger above the Pacific.

Most guides (including AllTrails) recommend stopping at the base of the Thumb. The final climb is steep, narrow, and can be slippery. But the conditions were perfect, and I couldn’t resist.

I climbed it.

Standing on top of God’s Thumb with just one other person nearby felt surreal — the kind of moment that stays with you long after the hike is over. The ocean stretched endlessly, the cliffs dropped dramatically below, and the morning light painted everything in soft gold.

And yes, I flew my drone. The footage is incredible.

On the way back, I followed the official Knoll Trail, completing a lollipop-shaped loop. The Knoll viewpoint itself is a reward — a wide, grassy hill overlooking Lincoln City and the coastline. I flew my drone again, capturing the sweeping landscape from above.

God’s Thumb isn’t just another Oregon Coast hike. It’s one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever visited — a perfect blend of forest, meadow, cliffs, and ocean. The early start, the quiet trail, the climb to the Thumb, the drone flights… everything came together into one unforgettable morning.

If you’ve been dreaming about this hike the way I did, make it happen. Arrive early, take your time, and let the coastline show you one of its finest views.