Best trail running trails in Mount Tamalpais State Park, California

Hike from the Pacific Ocean all the way up to The Muir Woods Visitor Center. This route offers a spectacular view of the ocean, rushing streams and beautiful waterfalls. Steep Ravine is a real jewel in Marin County's crown. Cutting deep into the landscape over millennia the water rushing through Webb Creek has created a spectacularly steep sided and lush canyon shaded by towering redwood trees and populated with a wide variety of local flora and fauna. The hike begins along the Dipsea Trail at Stinson Beach. It climbs gradually with many ocean views until you reach its' junction with the Steep Ravine Trail. From here it climbs 1000 ft. to Pantoll ranger station in 1.5 miles. There are two significant waterfalls along Webb Creek in Steep Ravine. The upper one is interesting because you have to climb up the waterfall via a 10 ft. high ladder. These waterfalls are best seen in the winter or early spring months, after there has been a lot of rain. Once at Pantoll, cross the highway and head back down to Stinson Beach via the Matt Davis trail. You will find more great ocean views on this trail. Many people like to do this hike in the reverse direction, going up Matt Davis trail and down Steep Ravine. But the Matt Davis trail is longer (4 miles) and it is all up hill if you go this way.Show more

Note: $8 Parking Fee to park in the lot This hike includes great views of the Bay Area, Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate, Potato Patch, and down the San Mateo Coastline. As the walk progresses the trails will head into Redwood Forest, and drop - really drop - down into the heart of Steep Ravine. The trails become a series of stairs immediately adjacent to a seasonal creek. In some spots it's surely underwater during storms. Once in Steep Ravine it's all uphill back to the Ranger Station. The trail criss-crosses the creek repeatedly looking for space for itself, regularly climbs more steps, and a short ladder next to a waterfall in the quest to gain altitude. The reward is one of the best Redwood Canyons around.Show more

Hike overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This trail offers stunning views and chaparral and redwood habitats.Show more

Every weekend during the summer months, signs on the main roads in Marin County start reading "Muir Woods Parking Lot Full," leaving those who crave a stroll among the wondrous Muir Woods redwoods two options: take a shuttle or try another day. But there is a third option -- Muir Woods National Monument is only two miles by trail from the Pantoll Ranger Station at neighboring Mount Tamalpais State Park. The out-and-back hike along the Bootjack Trail, plus a couple miles of wandering at the Monument, should yield about six miles of heaven under the big trees. There's about 800 feet of elevation loss/gain on a steep, challenging path down to the Monument, so it might be too much for beginners, but it's no big deal for experienced hikers. Vehicle registration: $8 cash or credit when ranger is working, cash only when station is unmanned. You pay at the ranger's office then stick the permit on your windshield.Show more

Please note that partial trail closures have been reported on this trail (10/31/2020). The Plank Walk is a rocky dirt trail that ends at Mount Tam East Peak Fire Look Out Station with great views of the Bay.Show more

The Verna Dunshee Trail is the paved, outer loop featuring a viewing platform. The Plank Walk is a rocky dirt trail that ends at Mount Tam East Peak Fire Look Out Station. Both have beautiful views of the Bay area. Accessibility: The outer loop, the Verna Dunshee Trail, is less steep (although it still has some steep sections), paved, and considered the more wheelchair or stroller friendly route. It is typically at least four feet wide. The estimated grade is mostly gentle except for steep sections between 8% and 12% at about 0.3 and 0.7 miles from the parking area. Assistance may be needed there. There are wheelchair accessible parking, restrooms, drinking fountains, and picnic areas by the trailhead.Show more

Backdoor entry to Muir Woods on an uncrowded trail where you can enjoy scenery (and a bar!) most visitors never see. The ancient California redwood trees of Muir Woods National Monument are one of several remaining groves up and down the coast that escaped the lumberjacks thanks to forward thinking preservationists. Located just North of San Francisco this is the ideal place for visitors from around the world to come and marvel at the giant redwoods (which in this park grow up to 250ft tall and 14 feet wide) but it also means the area frequently attracts large crowds, bus tours and overflowing parking lots. Our hillside loop trail offers a great way to visit Muir Woods National Monument and avoid many of the crowds, before returning along a scenic route over Mt. Tamalpais State Park that most visitors don't get to see. One additional benefit along this trail is the chance to spend a little time at the Tourist Club. In the past we've had little trouble as non-members enjoying a drink here, but here's what it says on the club's website: "The Tourist Club is a private facility for the use of its members, however the Tourist Club welcomes guests for our Festivals, held annually in May, July, and September, and occasional activities and events, which are posted on our calendar."Show more