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Marin Headlands Trail Loop

Sausalito, California

Details

Distance

10.5 miles

Elevation Gain

1990 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Jaime B

This 10.1 mile loop trail isn't it's own trail, but a chain of trails throughout the Marin Headlands providing a variety of views and enough solitude among the hills to see some spectacular wildlife, yet you're not far from one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Bay Area. Once you get to the highest point in the hike, turn around and on a clear day you can see a gorgeous view of San Francisco and both the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges.

This trail starts at the Coastal Trail in Marin Headlands Park, where there's a small parking lot and outhouse bathroom off the circle when coming from Conzelman Road.

  • Take the Coastal Trail until you intersect with Bunker Road (you can even turn right and spit off the trail just before intersecting with Bunker Road, which you can see from the trail to cross at a different section of the road and avoid going past the horse farm). Turn left on Bunker Road until reaching the Presidio Riding Club, which will access the Rodeo Valley Trail on the opposite side of the street from the riding club.
  • Turn left on Rodeo Valley Trail
  • Veer left onto Bobcat trail for a brief distance, then turn right on Miwok Trail
  • Turn left at Old Springs Trail 
  • Turn Right onto Marincello Trail which eventually turns into Bobcat Trail
  • Take a sharp left off Bobcat trail towards Alta Trail / Morning Sun Trail and then take a sharp right onto Morning Sun Trail (Alta Trail)
  • You will come to a road in a somewhat residential area, which looks confusing. Turn off right when you get to the road and then right again, and you should continue on Rodeo Valley Trail. 
  • At the bottom of the Rodeo Valley Trail the landscape will become familiar again: turn left off Rodeo Valley Trail to cross Bunker Road where you initially crossed when heading out (you can cross earlier to get back to the parking lot, but the trail ends and you will have to walk up a steep, winding road without a hiking path, and at times it doesn't necessarily feel safe) and take the Coastal Trail back to the parking area. 
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Features

Hiking
Scenic

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