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11 Hiking Trails in GGNRA

Trek along the coast, explore a historic fort, or soak up sparkling views on these stunning hikes 

Chris Ryan
1 /10 Thomas J. Story

Lands End Coastal Trail

From the parking lot above the Cliff House at Point Lobos Ave. and Merrie Way, the Coastal Trail winds for 1.3 bracing and beautiful miles and spits you out in the swank Sea Cliff neighborhood.

2 /10 Allie Caulfield (Via Flickr Creative Commons)

Marin headlands coastal trail

Climbs 1.5 miles (3 miles round trip) from the Rodeo Beach parking lot to the top of Hill 88 for views of Rodeo Beach, Bird Island, and the Farallon Islands. Take the main trail from the fire gate in the parking area.

3 /10 Creative Commons photo by David Abercrombie is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Green gulch trail

Head up the ridge from Green Gulch Farm Zen Center to link to the Coastal Trail for a loop back to the center with splendid ocean views (about 3 miles).
4 /10 Miguel Vieira (Via Flickr Creative Commons)

Haypress Campground

Haypress campground’s five campsites are in Tennessee Valley, just three-quarters of a mile’s walk from the parking lot. No fee. 415/331-1540.

5 /10 Akos Kokai (Via Flickr Creative Commons)

Kirby cove trail

On this 1.75-mile round-trip hike, the descent from the Battery Spencer parking lot leads to Kirby Cove, a pocket beach with a from-below view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

6 /10 Creative Commons photo by Bill Couch is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Hawk hill trail

The short climb from the Battery Construction 129 tunnels to the top of Hawk Hill offers great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the opportunity to see hawks Aug–Nov. From gun pit beyond the tunnels, follow signs up the hill.
7 /10 Michael Fraley (Via Flickr Creative Commons)

Mori point trail

Walk .25 mile south from the Pacifica pier and past the Sharp Park golf course to access trails that crisscross golden, grassy bluffs. End of Beach Blvd.

8 /10 Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons user, TimothyJ

Muir beach owl trail

One of the most scenic—and undiscovered—hikes in Marin is accessible from the Muir Beach Overlook. The short, mostly easy path offers panoramic ocean views and a chance to see wildlife. A mile or so in, you’ll come to Slide Ranch, where you can watch goats and chickens roam the barnyard. Continue another .75 mile (the last stretch is steep) to the ocean and a secluded beach. Trailhead is at Muir Beach Overlook on Highway 1 in Marin.

9 /10 Marcin Wichary (Via Flickr Creative Commons)

Baquiano trail

This steep scramble starts at the east end of Fassler Avenue in Pacifica and ends, 1.5 miles later, at the Sweeney Ridge Trail, close to where the latter meets Sneath Lane.

10 /10 Eugene Kim (Via Flickr Creative Commons)

Sweeney ridge trail

Access this 1.5-mile trail from Skyline College Parking Lot #2, in San Bruno.