Marin County Travel Guide: Best Flat Hikes In Marin
Just when you think you’ve found all of the Best Flat Hikes in Marin County, you discover more. That’s good news for our Marin Hotels guests who want an easy way to immerse in the incredible natural beauty of Marin County!
Below we have updated our original post titled Best Flat Hikes in Marin County, All In One Place. We’ve added the Verna Dunshee Trail on Mt. Tamalpais and the Southern Marin Fire Road in Kentfield. Also we’ve updated info for several of the other hikes. Read on for links to full posts and more information for each of these hikes. Onward!
(BTW, these are in no particular order)
VERNA DUNSHEE LOOP TRAIL ON MT. TAM
Verna Dunshee Loop Trail for when you want views of the San Francisco skyline, the towns of Marin, and the hills, valleys and lakes surrounding us in this magical county. This hike clocks in at about a mile, and you can easily combine it with the next hike on the list…
Verna Dunshee Loop
THE LOOKOUT ON MT. TAM’S EAST PEAK
The Lookout on Mt. Tam’s East Peak will give you the lay-of-the-land from on high. There is a bit of an elevation, but we decided to add it to the list because it’s worth the views and it is so easy to combine with the Verna Dunshee Loop.
Mt Tam’s East Peak
SOUTHERN MARIN FIRE ROAD IN KENTFIELD
Southern Marin Fire Road is a very flat, very easy, very scenic stroll through a Redwood forest with some lovely views of Mt. Tam.
Pro Tip: the parking at the trailhead is limited, as it is located in a neighborhood. Mid-afternoon during the week is a great time to find parking.
Souther Marin Fire Road
BON TEMPE LAKE LOOP
Bon Tempe Lake Loop is a low-key local’s favorite, off-the-beaten track, and sooo relaxing.
Bon Tempe Lake Loop
TENNESEE POINT TRAIL
Tennessee Point Trail in the Marin Headlands is perfect for when you’re looking for a trail that couldn’t get any closer to the ocean.
Tennessee Point Trail
BALTIMORE CANYON IN LARKSPUR
Baltimore Canyon. Okay now you know what the locals know: this spot tucked behind a neighborhood in Larkspur is one of the most amazing spots in Marin to get in the trees, with a bonus waterfall called Dawn Falls.
Pro Tip: the parking at the trailhead is limited. Go early or find a spot in the neighborhood and walk to the trailhead. Worth it! You will see homes of all types built around the Redwoods — literally. An only-in-Marin experience!
Dawn Falls
OLD RAIL TRAIL IN TIBURON
Old Rail Trail in Tiburon is another local treasure, and if you’re staying at Waters Edge Hotel, a must-do.
Old Rail Trail in Tiburon
THE COASTAL TRAIL ON MT. TAM
The Coastal Trail on Mt. Tam if you’re looking for WOW views of the Pacific Ocean without a lot of effort.
Coastal Trail on Mt. Tam
TENNESSEE VALLEY TO THE OCEAN
Tennessee Valley for when you want to hike through the rolling hills of Marin and end at a pocket beach accessible only by foot..
Tennessee Valley
ABBOTS LAGOON IN WEST MARIN
Abbots Lagoon in West Marin where there’s a bonus uncrowded 11-mile beach past the lagoon.
Abbots Lagoon in West Marin
OLD MILL PARK IN MILL VALLEY
Old Mill Park. Lovey Redwoods and easy paths wind around the area. An easy walk from Mill Valley Inn, you’ll be immersed in the grove in under 5 minutes. If you’re driving, there’s usually street parking around the area.
Old Mill Park in Mill Valley
ROY’S REDWOODS
Roy’s Redwoods. Some of the tallest Redwoods in Marin can be found in this quiet, uncrowded forest with an easy loop hike. Please note: at the time of this writing some trail upgrades are happening in the area, so you may run into that on your walk.
Roy’s Redwoods
SAMUEL P. TAYLOR STATE PARK
Samuel P. Taylor State Park. These lesser-known Redwoods in Marin county offer a peaceful place to connect with nature, and a beautiful backroads drive to the destination.
Samuel P. Taylor State Park
MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Muir Woods. Well of course we need to include one of the crown jewels of the National Park system right here in Marin. Every time we mention Muir Woods we’re going to remind you: make reservations.
Muir Woods
See you out there!
