'10 best trails in the Bay Area': Here are the GGNRA picks
Pirates Cove Trail
Kirke Wrench/National Park Service
The San Francisco Chronicle released a list of the "10 best hiking trails in the Bay Area, according to 600,000 reviews." Check it out for some of the best spots to visit around the Bay Area. We're lucky enough to have several of the trail options right here in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and within the One Tam footprint. See our trail pages below for more on the trails mentioned by the Chronicle, or see more options off the beaten path on our trails page.
Trail
Length
9.44 miles round-trip
Stretching from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach , the famed Dipsea Trail is for hikers looking for a challenge. It begins in Mill Valley, climbs over a Mt. Tam ridge, passes through Muir Woods , and descends to Stinson Beach . The top of Dipsea Ridge has spectacular ocean views.
Trail
Length
13.60 miles round-trip
The magnificent Matt Davis Trail is one of the main thoroughfares to experience the glory of Mt. Tamalpais . On an epic hike from the Pantoll Ranger Station, you'll pass by shady groves, golden hillsides, and towering redwoods, on your way to the sands of Stinson Beach . Matt Davis...
Trail
Length
2.64 miles round-trip
One can start the hike to the Ben Johnson Trail through Muir Woods National Monument by either the Redwood Creek Trail or the Hillside Trail. The steep climb to the ridge snakes through the redwood forest and up through the fog-line onto the grassland and shrub-scaped top of Mount Tamalpais...
Trail
Length
3.40 miles round-trip
Tennessee Valley is an amazing offshoot of the Marin Headlands , with hiking trails that suit the whole family. The Tennessee Valley Trail is mostly level; it begins at the parking area and travels 1.7 miles to Tennessee Beach. For the more adventurous hiker, there are a number of other...
Trail
Length
2.92 miles round-trip
Picture just you, the chaparral, the crashing waves, the sky, and a trail that runs along the rugged coast just south of Muir Beach. The Pirate's Cove Trail is probably what you've been imagining. From the north, connect to this trail from a section of the Coastal Trail at Muir...
Trail
Length
11.50 miles round-trip
The Coastal Trail is the true connoisseur's way to drink deeply from the quintessence of the California experience. As it threads through the three counties of the Golden Gate National Parks (Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo), the Coastal Trail treats adventurers to spectacular Pacific vistas, iconic chaparral hills, soaring...
Trail
Length
2.70 miles round-trip
Located on Mount Tamalpais ' wild northern slope, this hike starts on Cataract Trail, passes the Laurel Dell picnic area, then veers on to the High Marsh Trail and on to peaceful Potrero Meadows via the Kent Trail. The loop finishes with the Benstein Trail. With varied terrain, terrific views,...
