Muir Woods and Tourist Club Loop, CA
• 4-star hike
• 5 mile loop
• Moderate | Gain 1,060 feet
• Mill Valley, CA | San Francisco Region
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Lush forest views from the Tourist Club building
A ridgeline above the fog layer offers a different perspective on coastal redwoods than the valley floor provides. This 6.5-mile loop combines the sheltered groves of Muir Woods National Monument with open ridgetop terrain in Mount Tamalpais State Park.
Muir Woods National Monument preserves one of the few remaining old-growth coast redwood forests in the Bay Area. The trees in this canyon reach heights of 250 feet and diameters up to 14 feet. The grove survived 19th-century logging due to its protected status, established in 1908. Located 12 miles north of San Francisco, the monument receives heavy visitation year-round, particularly at the main entrance and along Redwood Creek.
This loop begins at the Panoramic Highway trailhead rather than the monument's main entrance, bypassing the primary concentration of visitors. The route descends through Douglas fir and bay laurel forest before entering the redwood canopy via connecting trails. After passing through the monument's eastern section, the trail climbs 1,100 feet through mixed evergreen forest to reach ridgeline trails in Mount Tamalpais State Park.
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4★ Muir Woods & Tourist Club Loop
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX? |
| P Free parking |
The Tourist Club, a private hiking club founded in 1912, sits along the Redwood Trail on the return route. The facility operates as a membership organization. Public access is limited to club-sponsored events and festivals; members and their guests may use the clubhouse and deck throughout the year. Current event schedules are available on the organization's website.
This route bypasses the fee station at Muir Woods' main entrance. Visitors should pay the entry fee when exiting if they wish to explore additional monument trails, including the 2-mile Redwood Creek Trail that follows the canyon floor. Parking at the Panoramic Highway trailhead is limited to roadside pullouts. Fog is common along the coast during summer months, while the ridgeline trails often remain above the marine layer in full sun.
Route Summary:
Panoramic Trail > Ocean View Trail > Muir Woods National Monument > Dipsea Trail > Sun Trail > Redwood Trail > Panoramic Trail.
The Redwood Creek Trail in the valley of Muir Woods.
Ornate designs on the Tourist Club building.
Tangents:
• Official: National Park Service, Tourist Club
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us
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