Area: San Francisco Bay Area
Distance: 7.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult, with about 1600 feet elevation change.
Surface: Dirt
Description: This loop which runs about 7 and a half miles through Stinson Beach to Pantoll runs through some very high grassy slopes, and into quite steep ravines.
The elevation at the trail head is about 75 feet, and the hike climbs up to about 1600 feet.
Some sections of the trail are very steep, while others are just moderate in nature with some very long stretches of easy walking.
The trail itself will be more shaded areas than sunny ones, and the traffic near Pantoll may be heavy on the trail.
The hike will take an accomplished hiker about four hours to accomplish, running through some of the most beautiful country side in the Bay area.
Among the things you will see are prolific wildlife, cascading water and some gorgeous big to giant boulders that are perfect for a picnic lunch if you’ve carried one in.
Buckeye trees, maple and the sagebrush grace the trails but do watch out for poison oak which also grows along the trailsides.
Horses are allowed and will most likely be on some trails, however other parts of the trail, such as Steep Ravine aspect of it are hiking only.
Dogs are not permitted in the park.
Getting there:
From US 101 in Marin County, exit to CA 1/Mill Valley/Stinson Beach and continue on Shoreline Highway to Almonte junction which will be about 1 mile.
Turn left, stay on Shoreline, drive about 2.5 miles to the intersection with Panoramic Highway.
Turn right on Panoramic and drive about 1 mile to the intersection with Muir Woods Road.
Remain on Panoramic and go approx 7.5 miles to the junction with CA 1, just before the town of Stinson Beach.
Turn right, drive about 0.2 mile,right (at the fire station)to Belvedere Avenue.
