01
Best close-to-home workout
Crown Road to Hoo Koo E Koo Loop
Crown Road Trailhead Above Kentfield • Sunny Mount Tam Fire-Road And Singletrack Loop • Local Favorite For Before- Or After-Work Hikes
A steady climb from Kentfield straight into classic Mount Tam terrain, with big views and flexible mileage.
Starting at the end of Crown Road, this loop quickly leaves the neighborhood behind and winds up through oak and bay toward the Hoo Koo E Koo Trail. The combination of smoother fire road and narrower singletrack makes it easy to tailor the outing, whether you want a brisk power hike or a meandering loop. On clear days, the payoff is expansive views over the Ross Valley and out toward the Bay.
02
Most scenic lake loop
Phoenix Lake and Yolanda Trail Loop
Watershed Lands Above Ross • Shaded Lakeside Trail With Classic Mount Tam Viewpoints • Best For A Half-Day Scenic Outing
A gently rolling loop that circles Phoenix Lake and climbs to balcony-like views over the water and surrounding hills.
From the Phoenix Lake parking area, the trail eases around the shoreline before climbing onto the Yolanda sidehill, where the canopy opens and the vistas widen. It’s a good choice when you want a mix of easy-going sections and moderate climbs without committing to a full mountain day. Expect a mix of families, runners, and regulars, especially on weekend mornings.
03
Quiet forested escape
King Mountain Loop Trail
Ridge Between Larkspur And Kentfield • Wooded Ridge Loop With Intermittent Viewpoints • Best For A Low-Key, Uncrowded Hike
A mellow loop that winds through second-growth forest and pockets of redwood, with occasional openings to views of the Bay and Mount Tam.
King Mountain feels surprisingly tucked away given how close it sits to town, with narrow paths threading under mixed canopy and through ferny gullies. Short climbs and descents keep things interesting without ever feeling punishing, making it a good option when you want movement more than mileage. The trail has a more intimate, neighborhood-open-space feel than the larger watershed routes nearby.
04
Best high-ridge traverse
Blithedale Ridge Trail
Blithedale Summit Open Space • Long Ridge Hike With Wide-Open Bay And Mount Tam Views • Best For Strong Hikers Wanting Distance
An undulating ridgeline route that trades effort for sweeping panoramas over Mill Valley, the Bay, and deep into the Marin hills.
Once you’re up on Blithedale Ridge, the sense of being on a spine between valleys is constant, with side trails dropping toward Mill Valley on one side and the Corte Madera area on the other. The tread is mostly fire road, so it’s straightforward to follow but still offers enough rollers to add up over the course of a few hours. This is a satisfying choice when you have time, water, and legs for a more committing day close to Kentfield.
05
Best mix of views and solitude
Rocky Ridge and Alpine Lake Route
Marin Watershed Above Fairfax • Rolling Watershed Hike With Rocky Stretches And Lake Views • Great Pick For Hikers Who Like Varied Terrain
A quieter route that climbs past rocky outcrops and then drops toward Alpine Lake, mixing open hillsides with deeper forest.
The approach along Rocky Ridge gives you a sense of the drier, more exposed side of the local terrain, with scrubby slopes and wide sky overhead. As you curve toward Alpine Lake, the landscape softens into shadier pockets and the water appears below, offering good spots to pause and take in the basin. It’s a rewarding option when you want to feel a bit farther from town without a long drive from Kentfield.