In brief:
4.7 mile loop on breezy slopes above Rodeo Lagoon, in the Marin Headlands.
Highlights:
Beach, coastal views.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 4.7 mile loop hike is moderately easy, with a few short steep
stretches. Total elevation change is about 1050 feet.
Exposure:
Full sun.
Trail traffic:
Moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt fire roads and trails.
Hiking time:
2 hours.
Season:
Nice any time.
Getting there:
• From northbound US 101 in San Francisco County, cross the Golden
Gate Bridge and exit at Alexander (the first exit past the view point turnoff). After
about 0.3 mile, turn left onto Bunker Road. There is a one-way tunnel
which cuts under 101, and you may need to wait up to 5 minutes for your
turn to travel through it (this is a great opportunity to put on sunscreen).
From the other side of the tunnel, drive about 3 miles on Bunker Drive to
the trailhead at the end of the road.
• From southbound US 101 in Marin County, exit Sausalito (the last
exit before the bridge). Drive uphill on Conzelman Road, then turn right
onto McCullough Road. Descend on McCullough to a junction with Bunker Road,
and turn left. Drive west on Bunker to the trailhead at the end of the road.
GPS coordinates* for trailhead:
Latitude
37°49'56.31"N
Longitude 122°32'19.83"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Trailhead details:
Plenty of parking in lots and on the side of the road. No entrance
or parking fees. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms at edge of parking
lot. There are handicapped-designated parking spots, but the trails
are not wheelchair accessible. No maps available at trailhead. There is
a map at the start of the Miwok Trail, about 1 mile from the trailhead. If
you want to pick up a map before you start hiking, stop at the Visitor Center
on the way to the trailhead: from the Headlands side of the tunnel on Bunker
Drive, drive about 2 miles and bear left onto Field (just before you get
to the lagoon). Make the first right into the Visitor Center parking
lot. Muni bus line #76 services this trailhead via Bunker Road (Sundays
and major holidays only): visit the Transit
Info website for details.
Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, restaurants, and stores about 6 miles north in Marin City. There are
a few camping options in the Headlands, including small camps at Kirby Cove
and Bicentennial.
Rules:
Most trails are multi use. Some trails are open to horses and hikers only,
and a few are designated hiking only. Dogs are permitted on some Headlands
trails (they are allowed on every trail on the hike featured on this page);
ask the staff at the Visitor Center for current information, or check the
Headlands map on the link below.
The Official Story
NPS's GGNRA page.
Marin Headlands Visitor Center 415-331-1540
Map Options:
• Map from GGNRA (download Marin Headlands Trail Map)
• Trail map from Redwood Hikes shows all Headlands trails -- highly recommended.
• Tom Harrison Maps' Southern Marin Trail Map (order
this map from Amazon.com) is a good guide to the area.
•A Rambler's Guide to the Trails of Mt. Tamalpais and the Marin Headlands,
map from Pease Press (order from Pease Press)
• Hiking Marin, by Don and Kay Martin, contains a decent map
and brief trail descriptions (order
this book from Amazon.com).
Go to Bay Area Hiker Home page