Easiest

From the parking area by the Lands End Lookout visitor center, this short trail segment winds through wildlife habitat restored with thousands of native plants, planted by Parks Conservancy staff and volunteers. In the spring, this area erupts with dazzling rainbows of colorful wildflower blooms.

Merrie Way was once home

This is a wide open pathway that gives access to bunkers, cliffs, beach, crashing waves and views in all directions. At the end, there is a little loop that looks down to the Rodeo Lagoon and Cronkhite Beach.

If you're cycling, this is the path to follow on your way to the western side of Crissy Field, Fort Point, or the Golden Gate Bridge.

From the top descending into Muir Woods National Monument, you'll find switchbacks, loose footing, and plenty of roots and branches and rocks to step over. The descent will take you through a fast-changing landscape.

Before San Francisco became the bustling city we know today, a large part of it was made up of coastal sand dunes. With the development of San Francisco over two centuries, much of the native landscape no longer exists.

This short connector trail links the main Coastal Trail thoroughfare across Lands End to El Camino del Mar, near the Legion of Honor art museum. 

A part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the Legion of Honor houses a vast collection of ancient and European art in a

At the end of Le Conte Avenue in Montara, near Farallone View Elementary School, you'll come to the start of the Le Conte Trail. Passing through coastal meadows, this short trail connects you to longer trails that snake across the sprawling Rancho Corral de Tierra.

This trail segment, technically part of the Coastal Trail, takes visitors past jaw-dropping views of the Marin Headlands and valleys, on the way to a beautiful lookout point and, beyond that, Black Sands Beach. In the spring, you're treated to a stunning trailside display of wildflowers.

Most hikers utilize this trail to complete the shorter loop through the Muir Woods National Monument. This direction is a gradual climb and connects with the Redwood Creek Trail at the end of the valley. Expect a good amount of traffic going in both directions.

Start at the southern end of the Coastal South Trail and head east. The trail starts out dropping on a fairly straight trail. Soon, the very tight switchbacks will start and continue, and proceed until you are dropped out in a flat field.