Emily’s Marin Bikepacking Trek

Distance: 17-19 miles per day
Duration: 2-4 days
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Engineer, artist, and Ridge Trail adventurer Emily Bei Cheng is no stranger to bikepacking the Marin Headlands. Building on her previous itineraries across this iconic landscape, her latest route highlights beloved local Ridge Trail sections. This scenic “lollipop” ride travels through the Marin Headlands and Mt. Tamalpais Watershed, pairing classic segments like Bolinas Ridge with newly added paths, including the Easy Grade and Mt. Tamalpais Watershed Parallel Trails. Easily customizable with shorter loop options, the route takes you through shifting microclimates, beneath towering trees, and over dramatic ridgelines with new vistas around every bend.

Note: This route includes a mix of trail and road surfaces.

Itinerary

DAY 1: Golden Gate Bridge to Pantoll Campground

Difficulty: 19.3 miles, 3,694 ft of elevation gain
Ride with GPS Map
PDF maps: Golden Gate Bridge to Tennessee Valley, Tennessee Valley to Shoreline Highway, and Mount Tamalpais State Park and Dias Ridge Trail
Overnight: Pantoll Campground (drinking water, firewood, and restrooms with flush toilets. There are no showers)
Notes:
- Tricky spots: Julian trail descent can be loose and rutted near the bottom half. Miwok Trail climb section north from Tennessee Valley parking can be steep and rocky in parts.
- Bike Access: No bike access along Miwok Trail between Shoreline Hwy and Muir Woods Rd – you’ll need to ride down Dias Ridge Trail and then along Muir Woods Rd. to connect to Deer Park Fire Trail.
- Food: You can stop for lunch at the Pelican Inn near Muir Beach. If you need to stock up on food the next morning, Stinson Beach is 4 miles away from Pantoll Campground and has cafes and a market.

DAY 2: Pantoll Campground to Samuel P. Taylor State Park

Difficulty: 17.5 miles, 1,189 ft of elevation gain
Ride with GPS Maps: Easy Grade Trail and Mountain Theater to Samuel P. Taylor State Park
PDF maps: Mount Tamalpais State Park and Bolinas Ridge and Bolinas Ridge to Samuel P. Taylor State Park
Overnight: Samuel P. Taylor State Park (restrooms, hot showers, and drinking water)
Notes:
- Bike Access: Between Mountain Theater and Bolinas-Fairfax Rd. bikes will need to travel along West Ridgecrest Blvd.
- Food: At the end of the day there are places to get food in Lagunitas and San Geronimo near Samuel P. Taylor State Park.

DAY 3: Samuel P. Taylor State Park to Pantoll Campground

Difficulty: 19.4 miles, 3,523 ft of elevation gain
Ride with GPS Maps: Samuel P. Taylor State Park to Mountain Theater and Easy Grade Trail
PDF Maps: Samuel P. Taylor State Park to Gary Giacomini Preserve and Mount Tamalpais Watershed Bike and Equestrian Parallel
Overnight: Pantoll Campground (drinking water, firewood, and restrooms with flush toilets. There are no showers)
Notes:
- Tricky spots: San Geronimo Ridge can be steep and rocky in parts.
- Bike Access: The Mount Tamalpais Watershed Bike and Equestrian Parallel route was just dedicated as part of the Ridge Trail in 2026 after the completion of the Easy Grade Trail upgrade to include bike access. Huge thanks to CA State Parks, Marin County Bicycle Coalition, and the many other advocates and supporters for their role in making this trail bike-accessible.
- Food: Stock up on supplies in Lagunitas or San Geronimo before heading back to Pantoll Campground.

DAY 4: Pantoll Campground to Golden Gate Bridge

Difficulty: 17.2 miles, 2,244 ft of elevation gain
Ride with GPS Map
PDF Maps: Mount Tamalpais State Park and Dias Ridge Trail, Shoreline Highway to Tennessee Valley, and Tennessee Valley to Golden Gate Bridge
Notes:
- Bike Access: Again, no bike access along Miwok Trail between Shoreline Hwy and Muir Woods Rd – Dias Ridge Trail is not as enjoyable riding back towards the bridge, so cyclists may want to get around this gap via Muir Woods Rd and Panoramic Hwy.

Shorter Route Options

North Marin Loop: Combine Day 2 and Day 3 above for a Pantoll Campground to Samuel P. Taylor State Park loop.

South Marin Out and Back: Combine Day 1 and Day 4 above for an out-and-back route from the Golden Gate Bridge to Pantoll Campground and back.

Additional Notes

Amenities: Other campsites along the way include Hawk Campground and Haypress Campground, although there are few amenities there (vault toilet, no water).

Transportation: Golden Gate Transit route 120 stops at the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge.