Top Seven Hikes in Marin County

Marin County is a hikers paradise with 3 national parks, 6 state parks, 24 county open space lands and 7 other parks and open space areas providing over 500 miles of magnificent trails. Forty-two percent of the land is open to the public.
All hikes are excerpts from the book, Hiking Marin, 141 Great Hikes in Marin County, ©2006 by Don and Kay Martin. Hike locations are shown on the map. These 7 selected hikes are just a glimpse of the wonderful hiking available.

Before you pick a hike, you might want to check out Tips for Choosing a Hike
 
1. Pt. Bonita Trail in Marin Headlands
Distance: 3.7 miles
Shaded: 10%
Elevation Change: 350'
Hiking: 9
Difficulty: 4 Can be very windy.
When to Go: Good anytime. Often great weather in fall and winter.
This hike explores the beach, coastal area and old military fortifications from Rodeo Beach to Pt. Bonita. Great views along the coast.
Map and detailed hike description - 28k

2. Ring Mountain Trail
Distance: 2.8 miles
Shaded: 10%
Elevation Change: 700'
Hiking: 10
Difficulty: 6 Rocky and rutted areas.
When to Go: Best on clear, calm days in March to May for flowers.
This climb up the grassy slopes of Ring Mountain provides some of the best views and wildflower displays in the bay area.
Map and detailed hike description - 30k

3. Coast and Steep Ravine Trails on Mt. Tamalpais
Distance: 7.0 miles
Shaded: 60%
Elevation Change: 1600'
Hiking: 10
Difficulty: 8 Steep in places.
When to Go: Good anytime, best in winter and spring.Parking fee.
This strenuous, but spectacular hike, starts out on coastal hills at Pantoll, then descends to Stinson Beach and returns along scenic Steep Ravine.
Map and detailed hike description - 30k

4. Kent Trail along Alpine Lake in Marin Municipal Water District
Distance: 5.2 miles
Shaded: 70%
Elevation Change: 800'
Hiking: 10
Difficulty: 8 Steep and rocky in places
When to Go: Good anytime, best in spring. Parking fee.
This is an exhilarating hike along the conifer shores of Alpine Lake, up through a redwood forest, emerging onto a ridge with good views.
Map and detailed hike description - 30k

5. Old Quarry Trail to Top of Mt. Burdell
Distance: 5.5 miles
Shaded: 70%
Elevation Change: 1400'
Hiking: 8
Difficulty: 8 Steep and rocky in places.
When to Go: Best in spring when the hills are green.
This is the best hike for exploring Mt. Burdell. It offers great views, magnificent oak trees and a visit to a rock quarry.
Map and detailed hike description - 46k

6. Sky Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore
Distance: 6.9 miles
Shaded: 80%
Elevation Change: 1300'
Hiking: 10
Difficulty: 7 Steep downhill.
When to Go: Excellent anytime, best from March to June.
This is the best and easiest hike to Inverness Ridge. It provides great views, forest vegetation, good berries and spring wildflowers.
Map and detailed hike description - 32k

7. Lighthouse and Chimney Rock Trails at Point Reyes
Distance: 1.2 and 1.6 miles
Shaded: 0%
Elevation Change: 400' and 100'
Hiking: 10
Difficulty: 3 Wind and fog likely.
When to Go: Best in early January for whales and again in March-April for everything.
These are two short exhilarating hikes. The lighthouse offers whale watching. Chimney Rock has the best wildflowers on the coast. Great views in both locations (if it's not foggy).
Map and detailed hike description - 28k


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