In
brief:
3.7 mile Marin Headlands loop, with spectacular views from the surrounding Marin hills to San Francisco.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 3.7 mile loop hike is easy, with about 888 feet in elevation
change. Trailhead elevation is around 210 feet. The featured hike climbs to just over 1000 feet, then descends back to the trailhead. Grades are moderate with some steep sections.
Exposure:
Totally exposed.
Trail traffic:
Moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt fire roads and one trail.
Hiking time:
2 hours.
Season:
Good anytime.
Getting there:
From US 101 in Marin County, take the CA 1/Shoreline Highway exit. After
about 0.5 mile, turn left onto Tennessee Valley Road. Go about 1.5 miles
to the parking lot at the end of the road.
GPS coordinates* for trailhead:
Latitude
37°51'37.69"N
Longitude
122°32'8.71"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, stores, and restaurants back near US 101 in Marin City. There are a
few camping options in the Headlands, including small camps at Kirby Cove
and Bicentennial.
Trailhead details:
Ample parking (still gets full on weekends). No entrance or parking
fees. There's a map under glass at the information signboard near the start
of the Tennessee Valley Trail. Pay phone and pit toilets available. There are designated handicapped parking spots, and one
trail is wheelchair accessible (the hike described below is not wheelchair-friendly. No drinking water. Gas, restaurants, and stores
in Tam Junction, about 2 miles east along Shoreline. The Buckeye Roadhouse,
adjacent to the 101 southbound entrance ramp, is a good, convenient after hike
food stop if you're headed back into San Francisco. There is no direct public
transportation to this trailhead, but Golden Gate Transit bus lines 3 and 4
stop on nearby Shoreline Highway. From the bus stop it's almost 2 miles to the
trailhead.
Rules:
Most trails are multi-use. Some are open to hikers and equestrians only.
Dogs are permitted on some Headlands trails (they are not 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/book choices:
• Map
from NPS (download Marin Headlands map).
• Trail map from Redwood Hikes shows all Headlands trails -- highly recommended.
• Southern Marin Trail Map by Tom Harrison Maps. (order this map from Amazon.com) is a great guide.
•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 Marin, features a good map and
brief park description (order
this book from Amazon.com).
Go to Bay Area Hiker Home page