Thor’s Well sits on the edge of the Oregon coast near Cape Perpetua, a seemingly bottomless sinkhole that swallows the seawater around it. Also known as the Drainpipe of the Pacific.
This 20 feet deep (6 meter) hole gives a spectacular show as the waves hit the shore, incoming waves funnel air and water into the bottom of Thor’s Well, building pressure until the water explodes, causing water to shoot into the sky above the rock bed. The best time to visit is about one hour before high tide.
The area can be very dangerous as waves and large sprays have been known to sweep visitors into the ocean. The entire area passed the paved walkway can be very slippery and should be entered with caution.
The history of the Well states that it started as a sea cave that eventually collapsed by the waves cutting into the top of the cave, causing the top of the cave to collapse.
Other stories state that the almighty Thor, the Norse God of Thunder struck this spot on the Oregon Coast with his hammer, creating the giant hole we see today.
Colliding Waves:
The long crack in the coastal rock under the bridge fills with each ocean wave, occasionally exploding as incoming and outgoing waves collide.
Spouting Horn
Just across the Colliding Waves is another small and sometimes hard to noticed attraction known as the Spouting Horn, the best time to see the Spouting Horn is during high tides and storms. The water funnels into the cave below before erupting into the sky in a geyser-like spray. The sight and sound of the Spouting Horn resembles a while exhaling.
Getting there:
The trail down to Thor’s Well is a 1km loop that welcomes leashed dogs and hikers year-round. The Captain Cook Trail can be found in the parking lot above Thor’s Well just off the Oregon Coast Highway (Highway 101 South).
