Golden Gate National Recreation Area Trails

Find your path to discovery and adventure

For many of us, the sprawling and spectacular trail system at Golden Gate is how we experience the parks and encounter their many wonders. More than just a line through the woods or a swath across a bluff, the trail is where we can marvel at nature, learn about culture, and understand history. Trails are as unique and complex as the ecosystems they help protect, or the extraordinary people who help care for them. Stay up to date on any closures. Introduce yourself to one of the trails in the Golden Gate National Parks. And get ready to meet magic.

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Meditation on the bluffs at Mori Point
Trail
Difficulty: Easiest

Length

0.44 miles round-trip
At the end of the Old Mori Road Trail, at the west end of Mori Point , you'll come to the intimidating sight of the Bootlegger's Steps. If you can, take a deep breath and power through, because you'll be rewarded at the top with a seascape to rival the...
Mori Point
Trail
Difficulty: Easiest

Length

0.23 miles round-trip
At the west end of the Old Mori Road Trail, you'll come to Mori Point 's famous Bootlegger's Steps. Although the steep staircase looks daunting, take a deep breath and charge (or chug) up the bluff to the Mori Headlands Trail, where you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the...
Bootlegger's Steps up to the top of Mori Point
Trail

Length

1.41 miles round-trip
Visit a beautiful part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in an loop easily accessible by car, bike, and SamTrans bus lines. This area was improved with the help of community and park volunteers and is a showcase of restored native plants and animal species. This loop climbs stairs...
View of the Golden Gate from the Marin Headlands
Trail
Difficulty: Easiest

Length

0.71 miles round-trip
Highway 101 lies just below this trail. Take your time and enjoy the views in the canyon as you make your way up the hill side, and look out over the bay as you follow numerous switchbacks.
Mountain Lake in the Presidio
Trail
Mountain Lake Trail takes you along the southern edge of the Presidio from Baker Beach to the Broadway Gate. The recently restored habitat of Mountain Lake is home to many native species of flora and fauna, including the Western pond turtle, Pacific chorus frog, and 65 migratory bird species. If...
Muir Beach Overlook
Trail
Difficulty: Moderate

Length

0.02 miles round-trip
This trail to the Muir Beach Overlook offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Marin County coastline.
Cyclist pedals above Muir Beach
Trail

Length

7.70 miles round-trip
This loop hike dishes up a sampler platter of sensational Marin County scenery! Start on the sands of Muir Beach , wind your way up Dias Ridge , swing around down Wolf Ridge, and celebrate the completion of your loop by raising a pint at the Pelican Inn, and English-style...
Family outing at Muir Beach
Trail
Difficulty: Easiest

Length

4.00 miles round-trip
This four-mile hike includes a 900-foot elevation gain and will take you a good afternoon to hike. Much of the trail through coastal scrub habitat is exposed and open to hikers, cyclists, and equestrians.
Fern Creek Trail
Trail

Length

5.40 miles round-trip
Leaving from the immensely popular Muir Woods National Monument , this hike is a good example of the hikers “rule-of-halves.” This rule states that the number of hikers on trail decreases by half every half mile. While the math may not be exact, the corollary that the density decreases dramatically...
Notch Trail
Trail
Difficulty: Easiest

Length

2.10 miles round-trip
From Skyline College, you'll be shocked by how quickly you can leave civilization. Begin the climb through the trees to a view of Rockaway Beach. You'll have some great ocean views during this portion of the trail. The trail turns away from the ocean, and you view the valley below...
Dog walker takes her leashed dog through Oakwood Valley
Trail
Difficulty: Moderate

Length

2.58 miles round-trip
The trail loop begins on the single-track Oakwood Valley Trail and finishes on the broad Fire Road Trail.
Ranger-led hike through Mori Point
Trail
Difficulty: Easiest

Length

1.10 miles round-trip
Visit a beautiful part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in a loop easily accessible by car, bike, and SamTrans bus lines. This area was improved with the help of community volunteers and is a showcase of restored native plants and wildlife habitat.

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