What are the best hikes in Muir Woods?
Muir Woods National Monument is home to some of the tallest and oldest trees in the area, towering over a lush landscape of ferns, mosses, and streams.
We live less than 2 hours away from Muir Woods and love that there’s a redwood park so close to us. In this post, we’ll explore the 7 best hikes in Muir Woods for all skill levels, travel tips, and info you need to know before planning a trip to Muir Woods.
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Planning your trip to Muir Woods? Here are the best tours, hotels, and car rentals:
📸 Best Tours In San Francisco:
- Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour (private + half a day)
- 3-Hour Giant Redwoods Trees and Sausalito Tour (skip the crowds)
- San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito Tour (add on Alcatraz!)
😴 Best Hotels Near Muir Woods:
- Marin Lodge (💲)
- Mill Valley Inn (💲💲) (delicious breakfast!)
- Cavallo Point (💲💲💲) (free yoga classes)
🚘 Best Car Rental: DiscoverCars (save up to 70%)
1. Main Trail aka Redwood Creek Trail
The Main Trail is the most popular and busiest trail in Muir Woods as it connects to the other trails.
This well-maintained boardwalk trail is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. We hiked this trail with my sister-in-law’s family including her 2-year-old daughter in a stroller.
🚶 Trail difficulty: Easy
🥾 Trail length: 2 miles
⏳ Time to complete: 1.5 – 2 hours
🏔️ Elevation gain: 90 feet
The hike starts right at the entrance station (under the Muir Woods arch) and takes you through a forest of redwood trees.
You’ll walk alongside Redwood Creek and might spot some fish. As you walk the trail, you’ll see bridges on the left.
Keep walking until you see the 4th bridge (you don’t have to count, there are signs!) If you’re not up for the whole hike, you can loop around one of the first 3 bridges.
Once you reach the 4th bridge, you can either turn around and hike back OR take the Hillside Trail.
For the Hillside Trail, you’ll need to hike up a hill and take a dirt trail back to the entrance station. The Hillside Trail isn’t accessible but we were able to lift the stroller in certain areas and walk our way back.
If you’re hiking with family and need an easy hike or are short on time, this hike is perfect. You get a gist of what Muir Woods offers.
2. Fern Creek to Camp Alice Eastwood to Lost to Canopy Trail
This may sound like a long trail with a lot of trails in between but it’s worth it! Start at the entrance and hike on the Main Trail until you see the trail diverging on the right (after Bridge 3).
🚶 Trail difficulty: Moderate
🥾 Trail length: 3.9 miles
⏳ Time to complete: 2 – 3 hours
🏔️ Elevation gain: 820 feet
Even though there will be a sign, you’ll know it’s Fern Creek Trail when you see it. It’s a great photo spot with Fern Creek and the redwood trees around you.
Then you’ll start hiking uphill toward Camp Alice Eastwood where you can take a break for restrooms, water or just to sit down at the picnic tables.
Hike back by using the Lost Trail and the Canopy Trail, which will connect you back to the Main Trail. If you’ve never seen fern before, you must try this trail. You and your kids will love it!
💡 Tip: If you liked seeing fern on this trail, you must check out Fern Canyon, one of the best hikes in Redwood National and State Parks!
3. Ben Johnson Trail
Hike the Ben Johnson Trail for the views! You’ll get gorgeous views of San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean, and Mount Tamalpais. Plus you might see some wildlife including deer, turkey, and lizards.
🚶 Trail difficulty: Moderate
🥾 Trail length: 4.1 miles
⏳ Time to complete: 3 – 4 hours
🏔️ Elevation gain: 987 feet
Start the Main Trail and keep on the trail until you see the Ben Johnson trailhead. The trail begins with an immediate uphill climb and is fully covered by the thick canopy of redwoods at the beginning of this trail.
Then the environment transforms into coastal chaparral. And at the end, you’ll see coastal hills along with the views. Then to hike back, take the Dipsea Trail to the parking lot.
4. Muir Beach Trail From Muir Woods
The hike from Muir Woods to Muir Beach and back provides stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
🚶 Trail difficulty: Moderate
🥾 Trail length: 6 miles
⏳ Time to complete: 4 – 5 hours
🏔️ Elevation gain: 150 feet
Instead of hiking into Muir Woods park, you’re going to be walking away from it onto Redwood Creek Trail to Muir Beach.
Keep on hiking on Redwood Creek Trail until you reach Highway 1 and then turn on Pacific Way to Muir Beach.
5. Bootjack Loop Trail
If you want to see waterfalls, then hike the Bootjack Loop Trail. You’ll see many creeks along the way.
This trail also takes you deeper into the redwoods so it’ll be quieter along with the rich smell of redwoods. You’ll be entering Mount Tamalpais State Park through this trail.
🚶 Trail difficulty: Moderate
🥾 Trail length: 6.3 miles
⏳ Time to complete: 3 – 4 hours
🏔️ Elevation gain: 1,151 feet
Just like every other hike, you’ll start with the Main Trail and then you’ll see a sign for Bootjack Trail before Bridge 4.
The trail goes uphill until Van Wyck Meadow. Then you’ll take the TCC trail and the Stapleveldt trail until you see signs to take either the Ben Johnson Trail or the Dipsea Trail.
If it’s a hot sunny day, take the Ben Johnson Trail so you’ll be under the redwoods for the remainder of the trail.
If the weather is decent and you’re looking for a change in scenery, take the Dipsea Trail to see coastal hills with the ocean in the background.
💡 Tip: The Dipsea Trail closes in the winter for the Coho Salmon spawning season. Check with the Visitor Center before hiking this trail. If it’s closed, you can still do the Bootjack Loop Trail but you’ll detour to Deer Park Fire Road.
6. Stinson Beach Trail From Muir Woods
The hike to Stinson Beach and back is a challenging and scenic hike with stunning views. Start at the Main Trail to Ben Johnson Trail until there’s a sign to take Dipsea Trail towards Stinson Beach.
🚶 Trail difficulty: Hard
🥾 Trail length: 9.9 miles
⏳ Time to complete: 6 – 7 hours
🏔️ Elevation gain: 2,696 feet
Along the way, you’ll see breathtaking vistas of the coastal hills and redwood canyons, as well as giant coastal redwoods, some of which have hollows that can be crawled inside.
The trail is well-maintained, but hikers should bring plenty of water and be prepared for a strenuous workout.
Take a lunch break at Stinson Beach and then hike back the same trails back to the entrance.
7. Mount Tamalpais Peak From Muir Woods
If you want to cover both Muir Woods and Mount Tamalpais in one day, then plan to do this hike to the East Peak of the Tamalpais Mountains.
This peak is the tallest in Marin County and if you’re hiking on a clear day, you’re going to get panoramic views of the Bay Area.
🚶 Trail difficulty: hard
🥾 Trail length: 10.5 miles
⏳ Time to complete: 6 – 7 hours
🏔️ Elevation gain: 2,509 feet
Start at the Main Trail to Canopy Trail and then to Panoramic Trail to Mountain Home Inn. Take a break at the Inn then head up on the Hogback Fire Road.
Turn left onto Old Railroad Grade Road and then to Fern Creek Trail to East Peak. It is an intense hike with some steep portions but you’ll enjoy the views up top.
Here’s the Map of Muir Woods & Map of Muir Woods Hikes (page 5)
What Do You Need For Muir Woods Hikes
If you’re planning to go hiking at Muir Woods, it’s best to wear the right clothing and gear for your safety and comfort. Here are some tips on what to wear for your Muir Woods hike:
🥾 Comfortable shoes: Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes that provide good support and traction. Hiking boots or sneakers with good grip are ideal. Avoid sandals or flip-flops.
🥾 Layers: Dress in layers, as the temperature can vary throughout the day. A moisture-wicking shirt, a light jacket or sweater, and a waterproof outer layer are recommended.
🥾 Comfortable pants: Wear comfortable, breathable pants or shorts that allow for easy movement. Avoid jeans, as they can be uncomfortable and restrict movement.
🥾 Sun protection: Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
🥾 Bug spray: Mosquitoes and other insects can be prevalent in the area, especially in the summer months, so be sure to bring insect repellent.
🥾 Backpack: Bring a small backpack to carry essentials you may need on the trail.
🥾 Water: Bring plenty of water to keep you hydrated on your hike.
🥾 Optional extras: Depending on the season and weather, you may also want to bring gloves, a scarf, or a beanie to keep you warm.
Map Of Muir Woods
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it’s worth visiting, especially if you need a break from San Francisco. Being surrounded by a forest of towering redwood trees is magical and would recommend everyone to visit at least once.
The best hike is the Main Trail loop which is an easy 2-mile walk that takes you through the heart of the park, past some of the largest and oldest redwood trees in the world.
The difficulty level of the hikes in Muir Woods varies depending on the trail you choose. There is a range of trails, from easy walks to more challenging hikes with steep inclines.
The main loop trail at Muir Woods is 2 miles long and typically takes around 1-2 hours to complete. But you can extend your hike by taking one of the other trails that branch off from the main loop trail.
The longest hike in Muir Woods National Monument is hiking the Dipsea Trail and then returning via the Steep Ravine Trail, making it a total of 11 miles.
The drive to Muir Woods can be challenging, especially if you aren’t used to driving on winding mountain roads. The road leading to Muir Woods, Muir Woods Road, is narrow and has many sharp turns and blind curves.
No, there is no camping at Muir Woods National Monument as it’s a day-use area. The closest campsites to Muir Woods are in Mount Tamalpais State Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the Presidio of San Francisco.
Final Thoughts
Muir Woods National Monument offers a variety of hiking trails that show you the natural beauty of the redwood forest.
From easy walks along the main loop trail to challenging hikes through the hilly areas, there is something for hikers of all skill levels.
No matter which trail you choose, hiking in Muir Woods is a truly unforgettable experience that you shouldn’t miss out on!
If you enjoyed Muir Woods, Trees of Mystery is another redwoods park that’s known for its unique trees and fun attractions.
Read More From Bae Area and Beyond
Is Muir Woods Road Dangerous? including Info and Tips
Is Muir Woods Worth Visiting: Travel Tips and Info
Is Trees Of Mystery Worth It? 19 Things To Do
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