Experience Marin’s pastoral soul on the coast and inland on a dozen-plus strolls.
Generations of residents have lobbied, volunteered, and donated land to preserve Marin County’s open space. The hundred-plus trails that lace the county rank high among the benefits of all this activism. Ask ten local hikers to compile a list of great Marin County hikes, and you’ll get ten different lineups, but some of these walks will show up on every list. Click on the hike’s link for the full review.
Abbotts Lagoon
Scenic path winds to dune-backed Point Reyes beach.
Difficulty level: Easy.
Why locals love it: Lush flora; native and migratory birds; setting.
Battery Mendell to Battery Townsley
Abandoned military sites and sweeping ocean views make for a memorable stroll.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate.
Why locals love it: Rugged beauty; varied terrain; coastal views.
Coastal Trail to Bass Lake and Alamere Falls
Sensory pleasures on the way to a lake and a waterfall.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate, except for the brief, challenging approach to Alamere Falls.
Why locals love it: Views; wildlife; spring flowers.
Coastal, Wolf Ridge, Miwok Trails Loop
Remnants of hot and cold wars add a historical component to this invigorating Marin Headlands hike with city, ocean, and mountain views.
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Why locals love it: Terrific views; interesting slices of natural and military history.
Dipsea Trail
Follow the path of a century-old race on this rewarding trek from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach or vice versa.
Difficulty level: Challenging.
Why locals love it: Rugged terrain; inland and coastal scenery; sense of accomplishment.
East Peak Mount Tamalpais
Climb the county’s tallest mountain for views of San Francisco, three bays, and beyond.
Difficulty level: Moderate to challenging.
Why locals love it: Good workout; perfect views; top-of-the-world feeling.
Mount Tamalpais Muir Woods Loop
Hike the scenic “back-door” route into Muir Woods National Monument.
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Why locals love it: Good workout; peaceful way to enter Muir Woods.
Olompali State Historic Park
Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin partied at this sedate northern Marin outpost.
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Why locals love it: Secluded; views from near the peak; fascinating history.
Rodeo Lagoon to Point Bonita Lighthouse
Take in lagoon, dune, and ocean views en route to 19th-century lighthouse.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate.
Why locals love it: Varied lagoon views; shorebirds; ocean; lighthouse; Battery Mendell.
Rodeo Lagoon Trail Loop
Photo ops abound in shorebirds’ natural habitat.
Difficulty level: Easy.
Why locals love it: Bird-watching; photo ops; mellow.
Roy’s Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Tall trees and wildflowers await off the beaten path.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate.
Why locals love it: Redwood grove; solitude.
Steep Ravine to Matt Davis Loop
See redwoods galore heading uphill from Stinson, downhill from Mount Tamalpais.
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Why locals love it: Scenic Stairmaster; mix of coastal and redwood views.
Tennessee Valley
One of the county’s easiest hikes is also among its most appealing, especially in springtime, when wildflowers bloom.
Difficulty level: Easy.
Why locals love it: Abundant flora; colorful cliffs; photo ops.
Tule Elk Preserve
Magnificent animals graze in former ranch’s windswept meadows.
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Why locals love it: stately elk; beetles, weasels, hawks, and other wildlife; Pacific Ocean views.
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