Canopy, Dipsea and Sun Trail Loop is a 5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Mill Valley, California that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips and is accessible year-round.
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."
Official Site: Muir Woods National Monument http://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/index.htm Tourist Club Website http://www.touristclubsf.org/
- You don't have to be a member of the Tourist Club to enjoy the facilities, but you do have negotiate around a minefield of members-only event days which are listed on their website - This route does not enter Muir Woods by the main entrance, so if you plan to enjoy the full Muir Woods experience, then please remember to pay a fee as you exit the park - During the rainy season (November to May) a trail can occasionally be closed for maintenance; check with the rangers Alternatives: - Consider extending your day with the 2 mile long Redwood Creek loop in the heart of Muir Woods National Monument.
February 27, 2021February 21, 2021Spring is coming!
February 15, 2021Very muddy but so gorgeous!
January 18, 2021January 17, 2021January 17, 2021January 17, 2021Beautiful hike, lots of nice shade, redwood trees, ocean and valley views.
January 16, 2021This is a nice hike lots of variety in the type of foliage and views you will see. You make it into the muir woods redwoods too.
January 9, 2021January 2, 2021Excellent hike! The "Waypoints" section needs to be edited though...where it reads "Ocean View Trail" it should read "Canopy Trail". There is no cell service and if you're following the instructions as written, you will miss the first right hand turn for "Ocean View" because it is not called that. It is called Canopy Trail. Also, it's important for you to hike it in this direction and not the opposite...because otherwise you have to enter the Muir Woods National Monument through the main entrance gate at which you have to pay a high entrance fee compared to walking in for free through the forest!
January 1, 2021Awesome!
January 1, 2021December 20, 2020December 12, 2020December 5, 2020Beautiful trail that climbs into Muir Woods and let's you explore the forest and connects to several other trails. Solid climb to head back but through some lovely views.
November 28, 2020November 28, 2020Beautiful. Going counterclockwise was ideal - could really enjoy the redwoods early in the trail
November 26, 2020Really great trail! The 2 mile descent into Muir Woods is really cool and busy. After passing the red woods, the rest of the trail has a vary gradual incline with incredible views and changing scenery. I logged just over 5 miles and 2 hours and I thought this was a perfect length trail that provides a full experience in a very manageable hike.
November 21, 2020Great trail - if you go counterclockwise, it will drop you into the Muir Woods loop walk which is currently one way - but if you continue around the loop back to the entrance, it will get you back on trail. Can also then choose if you’d like to pay $15 admittance fee on the way out!
November 11, 2020Amazing! It was great to avoid the crowds for the majority of the hike
November 8, 2020If you do pay the parking and admission and start at the park entrance, 85% of the climbing is at the beginning when it is cooler and you are in the shade going up 1.7 miles on Canopy Trail. Then the other 3.3 miles is relatively easy. Sun Trail is especially nice.
October 29, 2020I wish I had known. Doing the hike clockwise as someone suggested certainly does save on your knees. A gradual hike down and a shorter but steep hike back up, BUT it is then NOT a “back door” into Muir Woods. You are going right through the front door and you have to pay $15 per person. I think I might have still done it this way but have allowed myself more time in the park to get my $15 worth.
October 28, 2020October 25, 2020Great trail with redwoods and shade
October 15, 2020October 15, 2020This was a really great hike. We got there around 8:15am and there was hardly anyone around. The few people we did encounter wore masks and were extremely pleasant. This was a relief as we are used to Los Angeles where everything is super crowded and nobody will wear a mask or even make room to pass. Want to do this one again soon.
October 9, 2020September 7, 2020Super hot day!
August 9, 2020This was a great trail! Some steep inclines and a little challenging in spots but it wasn’t too bad and it was the perfect length. I’m glad we decided to go the way we did (down giant incline first and not at the end). We went on a Sunday morning and I wasn’t a fan of how crowded the Muir Woods part was but it was great to go through it without having to reserve parking and all that.
