Best Hikes in Marin County: The Top 10
Looking for the best hikes in Marin County with views and easy access? One of the things that made me decide to move to Marin County is the abundance of hiking opportunities, from quick 45-minute loops to serious all-day ventures. Since I’m a real estate agent in Marin, I don’t often have time to take a long hike but I still want to get out and enjoy the beauty of Marin. These hikes are all less than two hours and some of them can be completed in as little as 45 minutes. I hope you enjoy them, and feel free to leave your comments and suggestions at the end of this article.
I also want to add that there are incredible hikes out in western Marin County that I have not yet written about. Point Reyes is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and Bon Tempe Lake is also a great day hike. This list is intended for those who have maybe an hour or two to hike. Which hikes did I miss? Add them to the end of this article. Happy hiking!
New: I just added a new favorite hike – the Horse Hill Hike between Mill Valley and Corte Madera.
Best Marin County Hikes: Southern Marin
- The Mt. Tamalpais East Peak hike is one of the most beautiful hikes in Marin County, if not the world. Easy parking, restrooms, picnic tables and stunning 360-degree views of the entire San Francisco Bay Area. This is also one of the best hikes to take out-of-town visitors who are looking for dramatic views without a major workout.
2. The Tennessee Valley Hike in the Marin Headlands is one of the most popular hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area given its close proximity to the city. There are a variety of options ranging from a level, paved trail called the Tennessee Valley Trail that goes from the parking lot to a beach, to more challenging paths that climb high in the hills and feature impressive views of the ocean, Marin County and San Francisco. Hikers are rewarded with beautiful ocean views and a variety of hiking options. This one can get very crowded on weekends.
3. The Ring Mountain Hike in Corte Madera and Tiburon has been on my list for quite some time now and I finally got around to exploring this very popular Marin County hike. This moderately strenuous hike is well-located in central / southern Marin and provides a panoramic view of the entire SF Bay Area. In the spring, wildflowers abound and in fact it is one of the best wildflower hikes in Marin.
4. The Rodeo Beach Hike at Fort Cronkhite is likely my absolute favorite hike in Marin County. If you are looking for a hike with stunning views, easy parking, historical significance, and did I mention — stunning views — this is the hike for you! I love to pair this with a lunch on the verandah at the Cavallo Point Lodge for a perfect Marin County day.
Best Marin County Hikes: Central Marin
5. Looking for a dog-friendly hike with easy access, beautiful views, and lots of options? The Crown Road loop hike is a great hike here in Marin County for you to consider. It is also one of the most popular trails in central Marin and if you live here you are likely to run into someone you know. Just today I heard a woman on her cell phone at Rustic Bakery on Magnolia saying “OK, meet you at Crown Road at 10.”
6. The King Mountain Hike in Larkspur is one of the best kept secrets in Marin County. This four-mile well-maintained loop hike in the hills above Larkspur features beautiful bay, mountain, and — on clear days — even city views. Access is fairly easy, and the trail is dog-friendly and shaded after the initial mile or so. The steepest part of the hike is at the beginning during the warm up phase. However if you make it through this, you’re rewarded with beautiful views in all directions (see walkthrough below).
Another plus is after the hike you can easily drive or walk back down to Magnolia Avenue and reward yourself with a pastry and coffee at Emporio Rulli, or if later in the day enjoy wine tasting at Backstage Wines or dinner at Picco. (Check the Larkspur Lifestyle section of my Larkspur Homes for Sale Page for more ideas.)
7. The Gold Hill Fire Road Trail climbs San Pedro Mountain in San Rafael and is one of the lesser-known hiking areas in Marin County. The trail features a moderate to steep climb, stunning views of San Rafael and all of Marin County, and is a great place for dog walkers as well as cyclists. Since it is a fire road to be used in the event of emergency, it is nice and wide with plenty of room for everyone. I recently hiked this trail for the first time and enjoyed it so much I decided to add it to my list of best Marin County hikes.
8. Phoenix Lake is a hidden gem in the middle of Central Marin is one of the best hikes for scenery and different hiking options. Phoenix Lake offers a variety of hiking options – from trails that are mostly flat to steep ascents up hills that provide views of Marin and San Francisco in the distance. The most common hike is a 2.7 mile loop that around the lake, combining the Bill Williams Trail, Gertrude Orr Trail, and Phoenix Lake Trail. There is also a more strenuous option to the top of “Mt. Baldy” which offers a good workout and beautiful vistas.
9. Freitas Parkway / Terra Linda Hike: Looking for a 45-minute dog-friendly hike in Marin County with easy access, beautiful views, and lots of options? Most locals refer to this as the “end of Freitas (Parkway) hike” because the parking and trailhead for this hike are at the very end of Freitas Parkway in the Terra Linda area of San Rafael. However, the offical name is the Terra Linda / Sleepy Hollow Ridge Fire Road. This popular trailhead actually connects to an enormous network of hiking and biking trails, suitable for anything from a 45 minute loop hike (detailed here) to an all-day hike deep into the countryside.
“Dog-friendly” is an understatement for this hike. From the bags / trash receptacles provided at the trailhead to the ability to walk dogs off-leash under voice control up on the fire road, this is probably the #1 hike for our four-legged canine friends in Marin County. A hike here is like watching the Westminster Dog Show, with a variety of breeds represented!
10. The Ridgewood Fire Trail has many names and is a popular hike in Central Marin County. Also known as the Sleepy Hollow Trail, the Terra Linda / Sleepy Hollow Divide and the Ridgewood Trail, this trail is an easy hike that is popular with joggers, dog owners and bicyclists. Because it runs east / west, it is a wonderful hike for mornings and afternoons especially, though it really is a great hike anytime of the day. It is seldom crowded and is a great “quick hike” in central Marin when you just need to get outside but don’t have a lot of time.
11. Bonus Hike: The Horse Hill / Alto Bowl Preserve Hike If you have ever driven past Mill Valley on Highway 101 and wondered about the horses grazing on the hillside, this hike is for you. The Horse Hill loop in the Alto Bowl Open Space Preserve offers a unique combination of rich local history, “top of the world” views of the San Francisco skyline, and a chance to see the working herd of 14 horses up close. It is a moderate loop that feels like a step back into Old California, right in the heart of Southern Marin.
About the Author
I hope you have enjoyed reading my article about the best hikes in Marin County. If this is your first visit to my Marin Real Estate and Lifestyle Blog, please have a look at my other articles. They all feature original articles about the things that make Marin County such a great place to live — restaurants, hikes, and even profiles of those who live here.
Also in my blog is my monthly Marin real estate market update. As a top real estate agent here in Marin County, I truly love what I do and would love to help you attain your own real estate goals. Please call or text me at 415.847.5584 and I’ll be in touch right away. Otherwise, I will see you on the trails!
Thanks for the great recommendations!
Thanks, Kevin, hope you are well!