Limantour Estero via Muddy Hollow

The Limantour Estero loop from Muddy Hollow is an excellent hike through the wildlands north of Limantour Road in Point Reyes National Seashore. It does not see the traffic of the hikes leaving from the Bear Valley Visitor Center, but it offers superb scenic beauty and variety. The hike climbs out of the cozy Muddy Hollow over a ridge on Glenbrook Trail to wide-open views of the Limantour Estero from the Estero Trail. After bending around this fascinating estuary, the trail snakes back into the hills and returns to the Muddy Hollow parking area. It is a pleasant tour of the vegetative and geographic diversity Point Reyes is famous for.

At just over 7 miles, this loop makes a perfect half-day outing. As a true loop, none of the scenery gets repeated, and there are plenty of spots to stop for lunch along the trail with big views. A small pair of binoculars would be an excellent addition to your daypack, as Point Reyes offers a very diverse selection of wildlife that could be seen on any given hike, from Tule elk to sea lions to nearly half of the bird species found in North America.

This hike is exposed for most of its length, making it a particularly good choice on cloudy or overcast days. On sunny days, pack sunscreen and plenty of water. The hike can be enjoyed year round and should be on the list of any regular Point Reyes hiker.