Gorgeous hike through varied terrain like hills with valley views, coastal trail with great views of the Pacific, scramble down to a cove.

Location: Marin Headlands — Mount Tamalpais State Park

» Official Trail Map: Good map showing various trails.

To Highway 1 (4.9 miles): From Muir Beach parking lot, cross the bridge, then turn left along Green Gulch Trail (0.5 miles). After a while, there is a right turn into a metal gate for continuing along Green Gulch Trail. Instead of entering the metal gate, continue straight ahead. Within a few feet, there is a junction. Turn left at this intersection along an unnamed trail (0.2 miles) — this trail leads to Pelican Inn along Highway 1. Then walk carefully along Highway 1 (0.2 miles) to reach the intersection with Muir Woods Road. Walk a few feet along Muir Woods Road to reach a trailhead for Redwood Creek Trail (1.9 miles). Redwood Creek Trail is a pleasant hike with gentle slope going through a valley with plenty of trees on both sides. The sound of birds is prominent along this section ofthe hike. Turn right on Miwok Trail (1.6 miles) to reach an intersection with Dias Ridge Fire Road. Turn left (0.1 miles), then turn right on Miwok Trail (0.4 miles) to reach Highway 1. There is roadside parking for four to five cars here. So this hike can also be started from this point.

To Pirates Cove (3.8 miles): From Highway 1, follow Miwok Trail (1.6 miles) → right on Coyote Ridge Trail (0.8 miles) → left on Coastal Fire Road (0.8 miles) to reach an intersection with Coastal Trail. At this junction, continuing straight ahead, there is a vista point with great views of the coastline. Then continue along Coastal Trail (0.4 miles) to reach a sign for Pirates Cove. The hike down to Pirates Cove (0.2 miles) requires a scramble at some places since the trail is very steep.

To Muir Beach (2.1 miles): From Pirates Cove, return to Coastal Trail (1.1 miles) to reach a hill with fantastic views of the coastline. At this hill, one may take a short detour to vista points reachable by a narrow trail going southwards towards the coastline. At some points, great care is required as the trail is along a knife edge with steep hills on both sides. Finally, continue along Coastal Trail (0.8 miles) to reach an intersection with Coastal Fire Road. Turn left and walk along an unnamed trail (0.2 miles), cross the bridge and return to the parkint lot for Muir Beach.

Location: 200 Pacific Way, Sausalito, CA 94965 . Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: From US-101 North, take exit 445B to merge onto CA-1 North towards Mill Valley / Stinson Beach. Continue 6 miles on CA-1 North, then turn left on Pacific Way and drive 0.2 miles to reach the parking lot for Muir Beach.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: None (last visited: March 2012)

Capacity: Over 40 cars.

Latitude: 37.861540     Longitude: -122.575695

Views along Coastal Trail