Hike Mount Tam to Stinson Beach and back up Steep Ravine

Tam Slam!

Hike Mount Tam's Matt Davis Dipsea and Steep Ravine Trails to Stinson

Hike Mount Tamalpais Matt Davis Steep Ravine Dipsea to Stinson Beach

Welcome back Tam! Get reacquainted with Marin’s lofty landmark in Mount Tamalpais State Park. This 8-mile (round-trip) hike is a pure classic, with redwoods, water-flows, and soaring views of the coastline. Oh yeah, and that ladder! The hike is popular: get an early (or later, if it's summer) start so you can get a parking spot at Pantoll.

There are multiple easy ways to begin this hike but we recommend crossing the street from the Pantoll parking area and starting on the Matt Davis Trail, which slinks along the western flank of Mount Tam at 1,500 feet. The first mile or so is canopied by a forest and frilled with ferns. Then you break out to stunning panoramas of Stinson Beach, Bolinas, and even San Francisco.

The trail threads along the side of the mountain and dips back into the forest before you come out at Stinson Beach, a lively little town where you can currently find take-out food and drinks and some patio space for outdoor dining at the Sand Dollar Restaurant. There's also the beach! Vast, open, and sometimes quite windy, this is a great spot to stroll and take a breather.

Now it's time to climb out of Stinson on the famous Dipsea Trail. It's a gradual climb to a short detour where you'll discover ... the "secret" tree-swing! Shhh ... don't tell anybody else. The trail to it is found after about a mile of hiking up to an intersection with a fire road. Turn right and within about 10 minutes you'll arrive at a swing hanging from a eucalyptus tree that is reminiscent of the tree in an iconic scene in the movie Forrest Gump. Take a swing, and wander up to some of the knolls for more wow-vistas, including out to the Farallones if it's a clear day.

Mount Tam Dipsea Tree Swing Stinson Beach

Time to climb! Return to the Dipsea Trail and keep going up before connecting with Steep Ravine Trail, which—you guessed it—keeps going up. The nice thing is that this section is under the canopy of redwoods and meanders beside Webb Creek nearly the entire way. The lushness within this section is lovely.

The grand finale comes before the final stretch ... get ready ... the famed 10-foot ladder on this trail is a photographer's delight ... and easy to climb. It's all uphill from there! (But you're so close to the finish.) Tamtastic!

Park at the Pantoll parking area off of Panoramic Hwy. (map). It's $8 to park. Cross the highway to pick up the Matt Davis Trail. Follow it down to Stinson Beach. Pick up the Dipsea Trail towards the southern end of Hwy. 1 in Stinson Beach. Follow it uphill for about 1 mile, and if you want to see the tree swing turn right at the fire road. Continue uphill and take the Steep Ravine Trail all the way to Pantoll. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Screaming Good Garden

    Combine a classic scary movie backdrop and life-size elephant garden sculptures in beautiful downtown Sonoma.

    View
  3. A Hike to the Past

    This 5.2-mile redwoods hike through El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space combines a relaxing stroll with unique geologic formations and historical artifacts.

    View
  4. Golden Mile

    Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax. See Naga, the recent new addition here, an impressive sea serpent art installation at Golden Gate Park's Rainbow

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. 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
  2. Welcome to the Ice Age

    Only in LA can you stumble upon a lake of bubbling black goo right in the middle of the city—complete with a life-size family of mammoths frozen in time. Take a whiff and you’ll catch the unmistakable scent of asphalt: Yep, you’ve made it to the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Mulholland's Most Majestic

    Take a leisurely drive along Mulholland Drive to discover beautiful urban scenery and unexpected wild beauty, right in the middle of the city. 

    View