Hike into Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

Hike into Muir Woods from Mount Tamalpais and the Bootjack Trail

Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

Muir Woods is a small and wonderfully beautiful place. And it’s a rite of passage to visit whether you’re local or from out of town. The challenge: It’s popular! The solution: Enter the park through one of several adjacent trails. You’ll avoid the busyness of the main parking area and you’ll get to explore the neighboring Mount Tamalpais State Park on some scenic and quiet trails.

One of the best loop hikes starts across the street from the Mountain Home Inn on Panoramic Highway. You’ll cover 4.5 miles, with the first stretch being a gradual descent. Starting on a wide fire road, immediately descend into a cool canyon of redwoods, Douglas fir, manzanita, and toyon. You’ll stay shaded as you hop onto the Troop 80 Trail, which was built by Boy Scouts way back in 1931. This is a great and lightly used trail that crosses fairytale bridges through more redwoods and Douglas firs.

Muir Woods secret hike Mount Tamalpais Bootjack trail

Take a break in the sun at Van Wyck Meadow, which as the sign says, has a population of three Steller’s jays. Here you’ll descend the Boot Jack Trail all the way into Muir Woods. There's a sign welcoming you to the trees, and this backdoor entrance puts you right into the heart of the good stuff: Bridge 4 crossed Redwood Creek and you can take a detour into Cathedral Grove, one of the most majestic places in the whole park. Wander and explore as much as you want—just be sure to exit on the Fern Creek Trail (between Bridge 3 and 4). {NOTE: If you decided to stay a while and get into the heart of Muir Woods instead of just briefly entering and leaving again immediately (see directions below), then please stop at the main entrance or visitor center to pay the fee for Muir Woods. If you have a current National Parks Pass then you won't need to do this as the pass covers the entry fee.}

Hiker in Cathedral Grove at Muir Woods National Park near San Francisco

This is the hard part of the hike: You’ve gotta climb out of the canyon and back up to your car. But after all that time with these old-growth beauties, you’ll be motivated!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: In the episode "Pandemic Autumn Outings" Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss their hike through Muir Woods' backdoor. They also recorded a "live from Muir Woods!" segment.

Park at the small parking lot across from Mountain Home Inn on Panoramic Hwy. (map). Start the hike on the north end of the parking lot on the Trestle Trail. It’s a short flight of steps to a fire road, where you turn right, following the signs to Camp Alice Eastwood. At 0.5 mile, take Troop 80 Trail on the right. At about 1.7 miles into the hike you’ll get to Van Wyck Meadow, where you’ll go left on the Bootjack Trail. Take this down into Muir Woods. Explore the park and exit on Fern Creek Trail (between Bridge 3 and 4). At 3.5 miles you’ll reach the Lost Trail, where you turn right. The trail ends after half a mile; turn left on Ocean View Trail, which takes you back up to the parking area. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Chase Fall Colors & Family Fun in Reno Tahoe

    Ready to Reno? We’re so with you! Reno Tahoe is the ultimate urban basecamp for gathering family and friends for all kinds of fall fun and festivities.

    View
  3. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

    View
  4. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

    View