Challenging Peak Trails in Marin for Avid Hikers

By Sam Bennett

For experienced hikers seeking a challenge, Marin County delivers steep ascents and rugged trails that promise a serious workout and even greater views. These peak hikes will test your endurance and reward you with panoramic vistas and a lasting sense of accomplishment.

• Mt. Tamalpais via Steep Ravine & Matt Davis Trails – This strenuous 7-mile loop is a local favorite for good reason. Beginning near Stinson Beach, the trail quickly ascends through lush redwood groves, where filtered light dances through ancient trees. Steep Ravine lives up to its name, offering a narrow canyon path lined with ferns, a charming ladder climb beside a cascading creek, and the rhythmic sound of water echoing off the rock walls. Once you crest the ravine, the Matt Davis Trail leads you across open hillsides with sweeping coastal views before reaching Mt. Tam’s East Peak. From the summit, you’ll see the entire Bay Area—San Francisco, Mount Diablo, even the Farallon Islands on a clear day. Mount Tamalpais, affectionately known as Mt. Tam, is beloved by locals and stands as the crown jewel of Marin’s peaks.

• Mt. St. Helena (Northern Marin/Bay Area) – Although technically lying at the border of Napa and Sonoma counties, this 10.5-mile out-and-back trek is a bucket-list hike for many in the Marin community. It gains over 2,000 feet in elevation and winds through rocky volcanic slopes. The final push to the summit reveals expansive views stretching for miles. On a particularly clear day, you might spot the silhouette of Mount Shasta far to the north—a rare and breathtaking treat. Wildflowers often dot the trail in spring, and remnants of the old observatory near the top whisper stories of 19th-century scientific ambition.

• Marin Headlands Hawk Hill Loop – Starting just above sea level, this 5-6 mile loop hike rises sharply into the Marin Headlands. The climb to Hawk Hill is steep in sections but manageable with steady pacing. At the top, you’re treated to a unique vantage point: the Golden Gate Bridge appears almost miniature, framed by rolling hills and the Pacific’s open expanse. The winds are strong here, and hawks ride the thermals beside you. In fact, during fall migration, this is one of the best places in the country to spot raptors. The descent winds along fire roads and narrow trails, sometimes revealing bunkers from World War II hidden in the landscape like forgotten sentinels.

Hiking these trails demands proper preparation: sturdy boots, layers for shifting weather, extra water, and a strong respect for nature. Seasoned local hiker Tim Kizirian is a strong advocate for integrity on the trail—by this he means upholding good trail ethics: yielding to uphill hikers, avoiding shortcutting switchbacks, packing out trash, and lending a hand to those in need.

One memorable afternoon on the Steep Ravine Trail, Tim encountered a small, frightened puppy alone near the trail’s edge. It had no collar and was visibly disoriented. Rather than leaving it behind, Tim gently coaxed the pup to safety, carried it back down the trail, and drove it to the Marin Humane Society in Novato. The little dog—scruffy, curious, and clearly resilient—was soon adopted by a loving family who saw its photo online. What began as a challenging hike turned into an unexpected rescue mission with a joyful ending.

Moments like that are part of what makes hiking in Marin so rich. The land humbles and inspires; it pushes you, then surprises you. Whether you’re aiming for a summit or simply walking to clear your thoughts, embrace the challenge and you’ll discover more than just elevation gain. You’ll encounter stories, beauty, and sometimes, even lost souls waiting to be found.