Marin County is renowned for its scenic hiking trails, offering something for everyone. Whether you're seeking a leisurely stroll or a challenging trek, here are some top picks.
Bon Tempe Lake Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4.1 miles loop
Total Elevation Gain: 209 feet
The Bon Tempe Lake Loop is a great trail to do with the family, and with your dog (on leash)! On one half of the loop, you’ll walk along beautiful Bon Tempe Lake in grasslands, and on the other, you’ll walk through a pleasant, shaded forest.
Muir Woods Main Trail
Distance: 0.5-2 miles round trip, depending on where you turn back
Total Elevation Gain: 90 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Nestled in the southwest corner of Marin County, Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley is truly a special place. Named as a National Monument in 1908, the park contains much older trees. You do need a parking reservation to visit, so check their website for information beforehand. Muir Wood’s Main Trail takes you along through towering old-growth redwoods. Much of the trail is flat, making it a nice option for an easier hike in Marin County.
Muir Woods Canopy View Trail
Distance: 3 miles loop
Total Elevation Gain: 530 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
This Muir Woods hike is a slightly more strenuous option than the boardwalk on the Main Trail at Muir Woods, meaning it’s also a nice place to get away from some of the crowds.
Tennessee Valley Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles round trip
Total Elevation Gain: 170 feet
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
The Tennessee Valley Trail is a lovely stroll along grassy hillsides and wetlands that ends at the beautiful Tennessee Beach, a small cove with a sandy beach. The hike is paved and accessible to wheelchairs for roughly the first mile. This is the perfect Marin hike to do with small children, especially children in strollers.
Coastal Trail: Rodeo Beach to Hill 88
Distance: 3.8 miles round trip
Total Elevation Gain: 1,023 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Rodeo Beach is the most famous beach in the Marin Headlands, the area of coast that stretches north beyond the Golden Gate Bridge. While the beach is quite close to the Golden Gate, in order to reach your trailhead, you’ll get to drive the extremely scenic Bunker Road past old military bases built into the hillside.
Coastal Trail: Muir Beach to Rodeo Beach
Distance: 12-13 miles round trip, depending on side trips
Total Elevation Gain: 3,528 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
This beautiful coastal hike follows the ridgeline above the ocean between two of Marin’s most popular beaches, Muir Beach and Rodeo Beach. If you hiked to Hill 88 and still can’t get enough, this much longer hike might be just the trail for you!
Cataract Falls Trail
Distance: 4.8 miles round trip
Total Elevation Gain: 1,056 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Cataract Falls is a fantastic hike featuring multiple waterfalls. The trail does include some uphill, but as you’ll be climbing past waterfall after waterfall, the climb is really worth it.
Steep Ravine to Dipsea Trail Loop
Distance: 3.5 miles loop
Total Elevation Gain: 950 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
The Dipsea and Steep Ravine Trail Loop is a classic Northern California hike, as you’ll experience both sweeping ocean views and dense forest. If it’s not too foggy, you’ll be able to see San Francisco and the Golden Gate, as well as the rocky coastline of the Marin Headlands. You’ll traverse through ferns and redwood forests, and even get to climb up (or down!) a wooden ladder.
Source: Californiacrossroads.com
