The best MTB trails in Marin County

The Fairfax Tamarancho Trails loop offers mountain bikers a diverse and demanding ride through the scenic landscapes at the foot of Mount Tamalpais. You'll navigate through shaded redwood groves, open meadows, and varied terrain that includes technical singletrack, flow trails, and fire roads. Expect features like switchbacks, roots, and challenging rock gardens, making this a truly engaging experience for those with advanced riding skills.

Planning your ride requires a day pass or annual pass to access the Camp Tamarancho trail system, which helps fund its upkeep. Parking is available at the Camp Tamarancho Trailhead. Given the route's difficult rating and 1 hour and 41 minutes estimated duration for 11.1 miles (17.8 km) and 1333 feet (406 metres) of elevation gain, starting earlier in the day is advisable to allow ample time and avoid afternoon heat.

This trail system is located in Fairfax, a town steeped in mountain biking history, often called its "birthplace." The network is renowned for its blend of technical challenges and natural beauty, including the pioneering Endor Flow Trail with its smooth rollers and berms. It's a must-ride for those seeking advanced mountain biking trails in the Bay Area.

This easy 9.1-mile mountain biking loop in China Camp State Park offers bay views and is perfect for building beginner skills.

The Mount Tamalpais & Coastal Trail loop offers a truly diverse mountain biking experience, guiding you through cool redwood forests, sun-dappled oak woodlands, and expansive open grasslands. As you climb, you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay Area, with the descent along the Coast View Trail providing particularly memorable vistas.

This moderate 22.0-mile (35.4 km) route involves a substantial 2755 feet (840 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 3 hours and 19 minutes to complete. The terrain varies from challenging fire road climbs with grades up to 12% to thrilling single-track descents, so you'll need good fitness and solid riding skills. Plan to start early to make the most of the daylight and avoid potential crowds, especially on weekends.

Mount Tamalpais is historically significant as the birthplace of modern mountain biking, making this loop a ride through history as much as through nature. The park's extensive trail network provides a mix of challenges and scenic rewards, attracting riders from all over. While the route is generally considered moderate, it can be modified for more technical challenges, offering something for many skill levels.

The Old Railroad Grade and Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Loop offers a quintessential Mount Tamalpais mountain biking experience, blending historical charm with spectacular scenery. You'll traverse wide fire roads and more technical sections, passing through cool redwood canyons, sunny chaparral, and exposed ridges. The journey provides ever-changing vistas, from the Pacific Ocean to the San Francisco Bay, making the sustained climbing feel incredibly rewarding.

This moderate 14.9-mile (24.0 km) loop involves a significant 2457 feet (749 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 2 hours and 39 minutes to complete. The West Blithedale Avenue Trailhead is a convenient starting point. While the Old Railroad Grade offers a manageable gradient, the Hoo-Koo-E-Koo section includes steeper pitches and some rocky, rooted terrain, so come prepared for a solid workout.

Mount Tamalpais is widely recognized as the birthplace of mountain biking, making this loop a ride through history. The Old Railroad Grade follows the path of the historic "Crookedest Railroad in the World," and you can even stop at the West Point Inn, a historic establishment from 1904. The diverse terrain and consistent views solidify its status as a classic Marin County ride.

The Miwok, Coastal, and Dias Ridge Loop delivers a comprehensive mountain biking experience, weaving through open grasslands, chaparral, and dense eucalyptus groves. You'll be treated to spectacular ocean views, especially along the Dias Ridge Trail, which offers sweeping vistas of Muir Beach and the Pacific. The route combines challenging technical singletrack on the Miwok Trail with smoother, wider paths, providing a constantly changing backdrop of the Marin Headlands.

This moderate 10.9-mile (17.6 km) loop involves a substantial 1877 feet (572 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking just under two hours. While the Miwok Trail features technical climbs with deep ruts and steep grades, the Dias Ridge Trail offers more forgiving, wide singletrack with nice switchbacks. It's best suited for intermediate riders looking for a good workout and diverse terrain, rather than beginners.

Beyond the riding, the trail passes through Mount Tamalpais State Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area lands, offering chances to see local wildlife and wildflowers in season. The Dias Ridge Trail, built on former dairy ranch land, descends towards Muir Beach, providing a potential rest stop. This loop stands out in Marin County for its significant proportion of singletrack and consistent, breathtaking ocean vistas.

The Marin Three Lakes loop offers a picturesque mountain biking tour through the Mount Tamalpais Watershed, showcasing diverse terrain and stunning natural beauty. You'll ride past the serene Phoenix Lake, Bon Tempe Lake, and Lake Lagunitas, with glimpses of Mount Tamalpais and shaded redwood groves. Expect a dynamic ride with gravel fire roads, creek canyons, and some technical sections that might require dismounting, making it ideal for intermediate riders.

This popular mountain biking route starts conveniently in the town of Ross, providing easy access to the trailhead. While it's a local favorite, it often provides a less crowded experience compared to other well-known spots in the area. Plan for a ride of about 1 hour and 38 minutes to complete the 10.4 miles (16.8 km) loop, which includes 1214 feet (370 metres) of elevation gain.

What truly sets this trail apart is its ability to combine challenging elements with continuous scenic rewards. It's a moderate ride that blends gradual climbs with fun descents, offering a comprehensive tour of the Marin Municipal Water District watershed lands. This well-rounded experience makes it a must-ride for those exploring Marin County's trail network.

The Tennessee Valley/Muir Beach loop offers a truly diverse mountain biking experience, taking you from the valley floor to coastal ridges with stunning ocean vistas. You'll navigate a mix of singletrack and fire roads, passing by the unique Green Gulch Zen Center Farm and enjoying views of Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Beach. Expect varied terrain, from flowy sections to rocky, technical stretches, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Marin Headlands.

This is a difficult 20.2-mile (32.4 km) mountain bike route with a substantial 3196 feet (974 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 3 hours and 26 minutes to complete. The climbs are steep and challenging, particularly on trails like Miwok and Middle Green Gulch, but the panoramic views from the Coastal View Trail make the effort well worth it. Plan your visit between March and May to catch the vibrant wildflowers.

What makes this loop stand out is its combination of incredibly diverse landscapes and a challenging, engaging ride. You'll experience the transition from lush valleys to open grasslands and dramatic coastal scrub, with the chance to spot wildlife like red-tailed hawks and coyotes. The blend of demanding climbs and fun, jumpy descents against a backdrop of iconic Pacific Ocean views makes this a standout mountain biking destination.

The Marincello, Bobcat, Miwok and Old Springs Loop offers a dynamic mountain biking experience through the Marin Headlands, blending challenging climbs with thrilling descents. You'll traverse well-maintained fire roads and technical singletrack, all while soaking in incredible viewpoints of the Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Bridge, and surrounding North Bay landscape. The route provides a fantastic mix of terrain, from the gradual ascent of Marincello to the rutted sections of Miwok and the unique features of Old Springs, making for an engaging ride.

This moderate 7.2-mile (11.5 km) loop involves 1305 feet (398 metres) of elevation gain and typically takes about 1 hour and 19 minutes. The trailhead is conveniently located at the Tennessee Valley parking lot, though it can fill up quickly on weekends. Be aware that the Old Springs Trail is undergoing maintenance until early August 2026, which might affect the full loop. This route is best suited for strong beginners or intermediate riders looking for a varied challenge.

What makes this loop stand out among popular trails in Marin County is its blend of accessibility and technical sections, offering something for many skill levels. The Marincello Trail itself has an interesting history, being a repurposed access road from an abandoned development, which explains its consistent grade. Remember to share the trail respectfully with hikers and horses, slowing down when passing.

The Tamarancho to Cascade Fire Road loop offers a fantastic mountain biking adventure, blending varied terrain from dense redwood and oak forests to open meadows. You'll navigate technical singletrack sections, including flow trails like Endor, before hitting the exhilarating, fast descent of Repack Road. This moderate route covers 14.5 miles (23.4 km) with 2362 feet (720 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 2 hours and 29 minutes to complete.

Planning your ride requires a bit of foresight. Camp Tamarancho is private property, so you'll need to purchase and carry a day pass, which costs about $6. Parking is available in Fairfax, but be prepared to ride your bike from town to the trailhead on Iron Springs Road. Keep in mind that dogs are not allowed, and the trails are closed during wet or muddy conditions.

This loop holds a special place in mountain biking history, as Repack Road (Cascade Canyon Road) is famously known as the birthplace of the sport, hosting the original Repack Race in the 1970s. The trail system is well-maintained and offers an excellent mix of challenging features within Tamarancho, followed by the high-speed thrill of the Repack descent, making it a unique experience in Marin County.