Marin's 10 Best Day Hikes

Marin County is home to a plethora of outdoor adventure opportunities including hiking and biking trails, beaches and lighthouses spread across the diverse public lands within Muir Woods National Monument, Mount Tamalpais State Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, Tomales Bay State Park, and the 2,100 acres of the Marin Headlands. Though some of these areas can get crowded on weekends, there are also plenty of trails that are comparatively less traveled. Here are a few of our favorites.

Chimney Rock: 1.4 miles, 100 feet of elevation gain, moderate congestion, stunning Point Reyes vista.

Palomarin to Bass Lake: 5.2 miles, 320 feet of elevation gain, moderate congestion, secluded summer swimming hole.

Palomarin to Alamere Falls: 8.2 miles, 600 feet of elevation gain, moderate congestion, ends at a waterfall flowing into the ocean.

Coastal Trail, Pantoll to W Ridgecrest Blvd: 5.4 miles, 200 feet of elevation gain, low congestion, panoramic vistas from Mt. Tam State Park over the Pacific.

Coastal Trail, Rodeo Beach to Muir Beach: 13.1 miles, 3,528 feet of elevation gain, high congestion, explores beaches, coves and rugged coastal bluffs.

Muir Woods via Deer Park Fire Road: 4.3 miles, 860 feet of elevation gain, moderate congestion, backdoor trail into Muir Woods.

Sky Trail Loop, Bear Valley to Mount Wittenberg: 7 miles, 1,291 feet of elevation gain, moderate congestion, a portal to Point Reyes lesser known country. 

Steep Ravine Trail to Dipsea Trail Loop: 3.4 miles, 950 feet of elevation gain, moderate congestion, diverse loop with redwood-filled ravines and coastal views.

Loma Alta: 5.7 miles, 1,177 feet of elevation gain, low congestion, solitude in Marin's hilltop interior.

East Peak via Hogback + Fern Creek Trail: 4 miles, 1,600 feet of elevation gain, moderate congestion, direct route to Marin's tallest peak.