south to Drakes Head. trail which leads to the summit of Mt. Do not attempt to go down during high tide as the shale rock is slippery and rogue waves can drag visitors into the surf. Begin at the Bear Valley Trailhead, climbing either the Mt. This hike features a steep 400 meter (1300 feet) climb to the highest point in the park (426 m / 1407 ft), with a few limited views of the seashore and Olema Valley near the ridge crest. Distance: 15 km / 9.5 mi. It's made by healthy, pampered and well-fed cows that we raise individually from birth. It is also a prime wildlife viewing trail, as it is remote and the tule elk are enclosed in this reserve. This open trail through the Tule Elk Reserve offers spectacular views of Tomales Bay, Bodega Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Check out our Chimney Rock page for more information about visiting this beautiful location. ), turn right on to the Drakes Head Trail at the junction of a number of fencelines adjacent to a small corral and abandoned, circular, concrete water trough. Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Point Reyes Station, CA - BringFido It's about 4 miles up. Wittenberg trail junction, one may turn north along the Z Ranch Trail and then follow the Horse Trail back to the trailhead. Allow 25 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Abbotts Lagoon Trailhead. The Tomales Point Trailhead is at the end of Pierce Point Road, 40 minute driving time from Bear Valley. Fog and wind can limit visibility and make this hike more challenging. Please avoid disturbing seals to ensure a successful pupping season. From the the Z Ranch-Mt. The trail is maintained by the National Park Service so check out one of the visitor centers for additional information. Start at Estero trailhead and hike 2.5 miles until you come to a fork. An old, breached stockpond dam is located 1.8 km (1.1 mi.) With close to 240 kilometers (150 miles) of hiking trails, these are just a few of the routes visitors can follow while visiting the park. The loop offers a similar experience and views regardless of whether one follows it clockwise or counter-clockwise. toward the estero before making a sharp bend to the north. trail leads to the summit of Mt. Wittenberg trail junction to the junction of Sky and Meadow Trails, there are locations from which one may look west across the peninsula to the Pacific Ocean (weather dependent). Ocean views are minimal, but this hike is great to do and stop for a lunch at Sky Camp overlooking the ocean before you hike back down to Bear Valley Trailhead parking. Point Reyes Hiking Trails, Point Reyes National Seashore: See 186 reviews, articles, and 198 photos of Point Reyes Hiking Trails, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 25 attractions in Point Reyes … There is not a bridge across the Muddy Hollow Creek just west of the trailhead and one may get their feet wet while attempting to cross the creek when the water level is high in winter and spring. Allow thirty-five minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Palomarin Trailhead* at the end of Mesa Road. Allow fifteen minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Muddy Hollow Trailhead, which is located off of Limantour Road. To visit Alamere Falls safely, Point Reyes National Seashore recommends hiking to Wildcat Campground and, from there, walking 1.6 km (1 mile) south on Wildcat Beach during a low tide. Interpretive signs briefly describe Coast Miwok culture and history and the structures in the village. Fog and wind can limit visibility and make this hike more challenging. Turn around and retrace your steps whenever you are ready. From the Chimney Rock parking lot, follow the driveway downhill and to the left. The once unobstructed views from near the summit have, since 2000, become obstructed by dense Douglas fir thickets that sprouted shortly after the 1995 Vision Fire. Distance: 0.8 km / 0.5 mi. Realigned out of the valley's floodplain and reopened in 2011, the Muddy Hollow Trail offers an easy hike with opportunities to see diverse bird life and tule elk. Point Reyes is a few miles north of San Francisco and offers a number of great hiking options. (Bear Valley Map - 427 KB PDF). along the trail. Additional restriction on pets at various beaches are in effect between March 1 and September 30. Being on the coast the Inverness Ridge is thickly covered with pine forests and chaparral due to the abundance of moisture it recieves. Fog can limit visibility and and wind can make this hike more challenging. The once unobstructed views from near the summit have, since 2000, become obstructed by dense Douglas fir thickets that sprouted shortly after the 1995 Vision Fire. Wittenberg or the Meadow Trail to the Sky Trail. Along the way there are lots of flowers, wildlife, and nice view points of the lagoon. Additional information and tips about hiking may be found on our Hiking at Point Reyes National Seashore page. Point Reyes Hill is the second highest mountain (Mt. This is a wonderful hike that takes you through the deep, lush forests of Point Reyes. Notice: Please see the advisory about the collapse of part of the bluff near the north end of Tomales Point. If you are starting your hike from the Bear Valley area, please park your vehicle(s) in the gravel parking lot on the left (east) side of the access road close to the Bear Valley Trailhead, not in the paved parking lot adjacent to the Bear Valley Visitor Center. Turn left on the Coast Trail for beach access at the Coast Campground, or complete the loop by following the Coast Trail northwest. 10 h 9 m. Please note that from March 1 through June 30, the park implements closures of Drakes Estero, Double Point, & the western end of Limantour Spit to protect harbor seals during the pupping season. For us Tomales Point Trail is the most special at Point Reyes. of the Woodward Valley Trail and along the length of the Coast Trail. A nice varied hike, through mixed Douglas fir forest, meadows, and coastal scrub with coastal views and beach access. Follow the Woodward Valley all the way down to the Coast Trail before heading south to the Bear Valley Trail. 1 Bear Valley Road Please be sure to leave gates as you find them: if they are closed, please close them after passing through. Fog and wind can make this hike challenging. This is a great place to go to a quiet beach if you aren't against having to hike a little bit for it. From this junction, a 0.6 km (0.4 mi.) Bass Lake is a popular, but unofficial, swimming spot; access can be challenging and lined with poison oak and there are no lifeguards—swim at your own risk. Turn left to return to the Bear Valley Trailhead. Alamere Falls via Coast Trail from Palomarin Trailhead, Alamere Falls via Olema Valley, Bolema, Lake Ranch, Coast Trail. These are the five must-do … Turn right and follow the Muddy Hollow Road Trail as it meanders 3.7 km (2.3 mi.) All public use is prohibited. Allow ten minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Sky Trailhead, which is located along Limantour Road. It's where many visitors start their exploration, so you can expect to find the Bear Valley Trail heavily trafficked. Distance: 13.1 km / 8.2 mi. The trail offers great views of the Pacific Ocean - including the Farallon Islands on a clear day - as well as Bass and Pelican lakes. A gorgeous trail, passing different sceneries on the way to the Alamere Falls. Distance: 1 km / 0.6 mi. The Estero Trail head west out of the valley floor through some coastal scrub up and over a ridge before descending into another valley and crossing the Glenbrook Creek. Turn right on to the Mt. Begin at the Bear Valley Trailhead, at the south end of the Bear Valley Parking Lot. From this junction, a 0.6 km (0.4 mi.) A relatively easy walk through coastal scrub and grassland offers some breath-taking ocean views, but can be exposed to sun, fog, and/or wind. This is a detailed Chimney Rock trail map , which shows the trails to Chimney Rock, Elephant Seal Overlook, and Headlands Overlook. The once unobstructed views from near the summit have, since 2000, become obstructed by dense Douglas fir thickets that sprouted shortly after the 1995 Vision Fire. Point Reyes National Seashore. It is also a great hike for spring wildflowers. This trail begins at the Bear Valley Trailhead, at the south end of the Bear Valley Parking Lot. Or, if one continues along Mt. If one were to hike 1.5 km (0.9 mi.) Hike down to McClure's Beach to enjoy a day at the ocean and a picnic. Distance: 2.5 km / 1.6 mi. Its vast white sand beaches, rocky coastline, rugged towering headlands and crashing surf are just a few of the components that contribute to the ares’s magnificent seascape. It's made in the natural grasses and cool ocean breezes on our coastal, Northern California farm. Distance to the bridge across Home Bay: 3.2 km / 2 mi. An easy stroll through open grasslands and coastal scrub with good spring wildflowers and excellent birding, especially in the fall and winter. Wittenberg the highest) on the northern part of the Inverness Ridge along the California coast within the Point Reyes National Seashore.This is a wonderfully remote area with good hiking trails. The path travels along the bluff top with views of Drakes Bay and Drakes Beach before terminating at the Elephant Seal Overlook. Wittenberg trail junction along the ridge crest. Allow 30 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Kehoe Beach Trailhead. Point Reyes National Seashore is a hiker’s paradise. Trails are closed for a variety of reasons, such as for visitor safety, to protect endangered species, to prevent erosion, and/or to allow new sections of trail to harden. This trail through open grassland offers outstanding views of Drakes and Limantour Esteros, and of the locally rich bird life. Point Reyes National Seashore also offers four hike-in campgrounds: Coast Camp, Glen Camp, Sky Camp, and Wildcat Camp. Point Reyes Safaris; Point Reyes Lighthouse; Limantour Beach; Drakes Beach; Tomales Bay State Park; Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center; Bear Valley Visitor Center; Point Reyes South Beach; Blue Waters Kayaking; Sculptured Beach; The Great Beach; Mount Wittenberg; Marconi RCA Wireless Stations; First Valley Inverness There will be abundant views of Estero de Limantour to the east as one heads south 2 km (1.3 mi.) Several benches along the way offer great resting spots in the shade. You’ll find information on hundreds of dog friendly hiking trails in Point Reyes Station, CA here. Or continue straight along the ridge crest as the Glenbrook Trail leads 1 km (0.6 mi.) From the parking lot, walk about 320 meters (350 yards) toward the beach. Wittenberg Trail to the junction with the Meadow and Sky trails, one may be rewarded (weather dependent) with views looking west across the peninsula to the Pacific Ocean. Wittenberg. Arch Rock is an overlook point. The journey all the way to the Point is worth it, for the view is unparalleled. Wittenberg. #1 - Alamere Falls via Coast Trail from Palomarin Trailhead. Hike out to Tomales Point with stunning views surrounding you on all sides. Point Reyes Hiking Trails, Point Reyes National Seashore: Hours, Address, Point Reyes Hiking Trails Reviews: 5/5 Distance: (1.3 km / 0.8 mi.) After 1 km (0.6 mi. On the day I did this ride the first time, the temperature forecast near Soquel Demo Forest was ranging in the mid-90s, whereas the one near Point Reyes was in the mid-60s. Follow the Bear Valley Trail for 0.3 km (0.2 mi). You can explore trails through evergreen forests, coastal scrub, or along estuaries and beach bluffs. A short paved loop explores the San Andreas Fault Zone. Wittenberg Trail and climb all the way to the Z Ranch-Mt. To visit Alamere Falls safely, Point Reyes National Seashore recommends hiking to Wildcat Campground and, from there, walking 1.6 km (1 mile) south on Wildcat Beach during a low tide. trail leads to the summit of Mt. There's a little rock climbing involved at the end. Ready for some activity? 415-464-5100 ), or speak with a ranger. A casual stroll through mixed Douglas fir forest and along Bear Valley Creek to an open grassy meadow. These places are best for hiking trails in Point Reyes National Seashore: Tomales Point Trail; Point Reyes Hiking Trails; Marconi State Historic Park; Earthquake Trail; Woodward Valley Trail; See more hiking trails in Point Reyes National Seashore on Tripadvisor from the trailhead; follow it 2.1 km (1.3 mi) to get to Sunset Beach, which is more of a wetland now, rather than a beach. Thank you for your cooperation. Distance: 5.1 km / 3.2 mi. This trail is a little deceiving in that most places will say it's a 3 mile in and out trail. West Marin Chamber guide to Muir Beach, Muir Woods, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Olema, Point Reyes Station, Inverness, Marshall, Tomales and Dillon Beach. When you get to the falls walk just past the top fall, cross over it and down to the other falls. A spectacular hike with views of Drakes Bay and the Pacific Ocean and renowned for great spring wildflowers. Rocky cliffs drop off steeply to the water, so there is no beach access. This is the best trail in the area for walking a dog. Located a 60-90 minute drive … Allow 25 minutes driving time from Bear Valley. The Limantour Spit Trail branches off to the west just before you get to the sand dunes. Many people get hurt and have to be airlifted out because they can not make the hike back out. From the Z Ranch-Mt. It can be windy and exposed, with only occasional canopy overhead. Individuals engaged in outdoor exercise, such as walking, hiking, running, or bicycling, are not required to wear a face covering, but should carry one with them and must wear a facial covering when interacting with others who are not members of their household in public and private spaces if they cannot practice physical distancing. Ready for some activity? One could turn left to stay on the Estero Trail and return via the White Gate and Muddy Hollow Road trails; doing so would add an extra 3 km (2 mi.) Begin at the Bear Valley Trailhead, at the south end of the Bear Valley Parking Lot. Point Reyes Station Mountain Bike, Hike, Trail Running, Horse trails, California. Distance: 15 km / 9.4 mi. (See our Pets page for more information.) From March 1 through June 30, the park implements closures of Drakes Estero, Double Point, & the western end of Limantour Spit to protect harbor seals during the pupping season. Allow fifteen minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Muddy Hollow Trailhead, which is located off of Limantour Road. Allow twenty-five minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Estero Trailhead, which is located a short distance off of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. The Arch Rock trail has been closed until further notice due to the arch's collapse as a result of coastal erosion. The Drakes Head Trail provides the best views of the strikingly calm, baby blue Drakes Estero, the body of water that dominates Point Reyes. #9 - Alamere Falls via Olema Valley, Bolema, Lake Ranch, Coast Trail. 63 trails with 38 photos This hike will get your heart pumping when you get to Pine Trail and work up through Sky Trail. Distance: approx. Visit our Recreate Responsibly page for guidelines for responsible recreation in the outdoors at Point Reyes and other park lands during the COVID-19 Pandemic. (6,943 kb PDF). There are short hikes to the beach from several entrances, as well as longer backpacking options. This loop offers views of Estero de Limantour and the possibility of seeing tule elk. The Z Ranch Trail brings you to the 0.6 km (0.4 mi.) This trail includes beautiful forest and spectacular coastal hiking. Allow thirty-five minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Tomales Point Trailhead, which is located at the end of Pierce Point Road. A popular trail in Point Reyes National Seashore, it is the most direct route to the ocean from the Bear Valley Visitor Center and an excellent trail for beginners and children. On a sunny day or a moonlit night, enjoy the expansive feeling of this open space offering views of Olema Valley. The Coast Trail is subject to seasonal flooding. Download a map of the Bear Valley area indicating the areas and trails closed due to the Woodward Fire. The first 5 km (3 mi.) From Kule Loklo, return on the same trail, or continue around the horse pasture to return via the Morgan Horse Ranch. The Sunset Beach Trail branches to the right 4 km (2.5 mi.) All listed distances are round trip. The climb down to the falls is not maintained by the National Park service. There are 43 moderate trails in Point Reyes National Seashore ranging from 1.3 to 18.6 miles and from 36 to 1,473 feet above sea level. All that remains of the ranch are eucalyptus trees that were planted to protect the ranch from the wind. north to the Muddy Hollow Road Trail. Distance to Windy Gap: 3.2 km / 2 mi. This open trail offers spectacular views of Tomales Bay, Bodega Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. (See our Pets page for more information.) With more than 66 Point Reyes Station trails covering 585 miles, you’re bound to find a perfect trail like the Lincoln Hill Pathway or NWP Railroad Trail. Hours: sunrise to midnight This relatively easy trail through open grassland and an old Christmas tree farm offers excellent birding opportunities and the possibility of seeing bat rays and leopard sharks swimming just below the water's surface in Home Bay. Allow fifteen minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Laguna Trailhead, which is located off of Limantour Road. Download the Woodpecker Trail Guide. The journey all the way to the Point is worth it, for the views can be spectacular. Interpretive signs provide information about the San Andreas Fault, the 1906 earthquake, and the geology of the area. Distance: minimum 20.8 km / 13 mi. Point Reyes Lighthouse, Lighthouse Visitor Center, and the surrounding area; Chimney Rock and the surrounding area; Point Blue Conservation Science's Palomarin Field Station and Nature Trails (previously known as the Point Reyes Bird Observatory) Bull Point Trailhead parking lot; More information and details may be found below. From the Coast-Bear Valley Trail junction, follow Bear Valley Trail east and north along a gentle grade through beautiful buckeyes, oaks, and Douglas firs back to the Bear Valley Visitor Center. The park's trail crew is working to address the trail conditions as best they can, but please anticipate wading through vegetation as you hike, and check yourself for ticks during and after your hike. The first section of the trail is through grasslands before skirting along the northern edge of and then cutting through an abandoned Christmas tree farm. back to the trailhead. The Point Reyes hiking trails will take you through the forest near Olema House, along the seaside cliffs, and down to the sandy beaches. Look for elusive brush rabbits, bobcats, and mountain lions, which are occasionally sighted in this area. Explore the best trails in Point Reyes Station, California on TrailLink. Allow 45 minutes driving time from Bear Valley. Watch Queue Queue Hikers wanting to hike further can continue another 6 km (3.7 miles) to the north tip of Tomales Point. Please note that from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, the area between Point Reyes Beach and the North Beach parking lot and the mouth of Abbotts Lagoon is closed on weekends and federal holidays to protect teh western snowy plover nests and chicks within this area. In the summer, look for salmonberries and thimbleberries. Wittenberg trail junction along the ridge crest. Point Reyes National Seashore provides a variety of mountain biking opportunities traversing diverse habitats and terrains. All trails south of Limantour Road and Bear Valley Road, west of the Bear Valley Visitor Center Access Road and Rift Zone Trail, and north of Stewart Trail are closed until further notice due to the Woodward Fire. The trail is sheltered from sun, wind and coastal fog as it meanders through mixed Douglas fir forest and along Bear Valley Creek. McClures Beach is contained within a beautiful cove backed by rocky cliffs, but watch out for tidal fluctuations and dangerous surf. Take the Coastal trail for the entirety of the Hike. From either destination, one returns via Coast Trail. (518 KB PDF). Following the path downstream through riparian habitat, hikers will eventually arrive at Estero de Limantour and Limantour Beach. 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