Biking

Mt Tam State Park Official Bicycle Rules

Road cycling and mountain biking are popular activities on Mt. Tam.

Within State Park boundaries, bicycles are only allowed on paved roads, fire roads, and four (4) posted single track trails.

TYPE ROAD/TRAIL NAMES
Paved Roads
  • Panoramic Highway
  • Pantoll Road
  • West Ridgecrest Blvd
  • East Ridgecrest Blvd
  • Muir Woods Road
  • Shoreline Highway  (Hwy 1)
  • Alice Eastwood Road
Fire Roads
  • Old Stage Road
  • Willow Camp Fire Road
  • Deer Park Fire Road
Trails (single-track)
  • Coastal View Trail
  • Diaz Ridge Trail
  • Miwok Trail between Diaz Ridge Trail and Shoreline Highway (Hwy 1)
  • Dias Spur Trail

Additional Opportunities

Information about trails found outside of State Park boundaries

The following trails are either found or have some sections that are found outside of the State Park boundaries.

These additional mountain bike opportunities exist by connecting into trails in the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD), Muir Woods National Monument, Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), and Marin Country Open Space District (MCOSD).

The best map to use across all these jurisdictions is Marin Bicycle Map, created by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (available at the East Peak Visitor Center or online).

Please check the rules and regulations for each district before visiting.

DISTRICT ROAD/TRAIL NAMES
Within MMWD
  • Laurel Dell Fire Road (access from East Ridgecrest Road)
  • Lagunitas Rock Spring Fire Road (access from Mountain Theater)
  • Eldridge Grade Fire Road (access from East Peak)
  • Old Railroad Grade Fire Road (access from East Peak)
  • Gravity Car Fire Road (access from Mountain Home)
Within GGNRA
  • Middle Green Gulch Trail (access near Muir Beach / single track / uphill only)
  • Miwok Fire Road (access near East Entrance)
Within Muir Woods National Monument
  • Deer Park Fire Road (access near Pantoll)

FMT's Favorite Mountain Bike Rides

Tour of Mt Tam South Side

 

 

 

 

Highlights
  • Lots of single track (up and down)
  • West Point Inn, Pantoll, Muir Beach
  • Trees and wide open views, and the infamous double bow knot
Distance 20 miles
Elevation Gain 2,800ft
Time 2.5-4 hours
Directions
  • Start in downtown Mill Valley
  • West Blithedale
  • Old Railroad Grade Fire Road
  • West Point Inn
  • Old Stage Fire Road
  • Pantoll
  • Coastal View Trail
  • Shoreline Highway (1/2 mile)
  • Muir Beach / Pelican Inn
  • Dias Ridge Trail
  • Panoramic Highway (1/2 mile)
  • 4 Corners
  • Sequoia Valley Road
  • Edgewood Avenue
  • 2am Club
  • Miller Avenue
  • Finish Downtown Mill Valley

Pantoll to East Peak Climb

Highlights All fire roads (easy grade), West Point Inn, and East Peak Visitor Center.
Distance 3.6mi (one way)
Elevation Gain 860ft
Time 45min-1.5hrs
Directions
  • Pantoll Parking Lot
  • Old Stage Road
  • West Point Inn
  • Old Railroad Grade
  • East Peak Visitor Center
  • Return down to Pantoll Parking Lot

Tour of Mt Tam North Side

Highlights Rock Spring, coastal views, Laurel Dell, Barth’s Retreat, and Potrero Meadow.
Distance 5mi
Elevation Gain 600ft
Time 45min-1.5hrs
Directions
  • Rock Spring Parking Lot
  • West Ridgecrest Blvd (1 mile)
  • Laurel Dell Fire Road
  • Rock Spring Fire Road
  • Return to Rock Spring Parking Lot