Mount Tamalpais from Muir Woods

This is a direct, bottom-to-top run of Mount Tamalpais that gives you everything the mountain has to offer - from old-growth redwoods to panoramic summit views.

There is a $15 entrance fee, as well as an $8 to $11 fee to reserve a parking spot for Muir Woods when the visitor center is open. If driving a personal vehicle, you must make a reservation in advance. You can see the operating hours here.

Start at Muir Woods. Be sure to get there early to find parking and avoid the crowds.

Take the Redwood Creek Trail and then go uphill on the Canopy View Trail through a dense forest of redwoods. At the top of the Canopy View Trail, cross Panoramic Highway near the Mountain Home Inn and continue toward the Throckmorton Fire Station, where you continue on the steep and sunny Hogback Fire Road to Old Railroad Grade.

Turn left on Old Railroad Grade and look for the small Fern Creek Trail on your right. Stay on the Fern Creek Trail until you get to the Mount Tamalpais summit parking lot. From there, take the Plankwalk Trail to the top. Reverse the route to get back.