East Peak, Mt. Tamalpais State Park

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.5 miles / 0.8 km
Duration: 1 hour or less

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Overview: Hikes don't get much shorter or much better than this half-mile round trip trail to the top of Mt. Tamalpais, just North of San Francisco.

Known to locals simply as Mt Tam, Mt. Tamalpais State Park is the perfect day-trip away from the bustle of San Francisco and once you're here it's hard to believe you're just a stone's throw away from the second biggest city on the West Coast.

The trail to the peak begins on an easy boardwalk and continues up timber steps before leading to a more rugged and rocky path towards the summit. We've labelled this as an easy hike, though there are some occasional isolated steep steps and scrambles which may challenge the less mobile.

The views are what make this such a highly rated hike in our opinion, which stretch out across the entire northern part of the San Francisco Bay area in good weather.

Be sure to leave enough time for the free Gravity Railroad Museum which memorializes the historic scenic mountain railway and the free-wheeling return journey back to Mill Valley.

Elevation gain:
• 230ft (from 2,340 - 2,572ft)

Tips:
• This guide publicizes a really great, short hike. Because the trail is so short it can be easily accomplished without a guide, but some may find a guide valuable to locate this hike.
• Busy roads and parking lots for the state park and neighboring Muir Moods can be avoided with an early start.
• Coastal fog can reduce visibility, but frequently burns off during the day leading to the dramatic revealing of spectacular views.
• The road from Pan Toll to East Peak may be closed on days with highest fire-risk.

Alternative Routes:
• Trailspotting's West Point Inn guide offers a longer 9 mile hike beginning at Pan Toll ranger station and including East Peak.

Points of Interest

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Trailhead

Located between the restroom and the concessions is the trail, which can be immediately identified by the wooden boardwalk proceeding in a Northerly direction.

The hike up the plankwalk is a pleasant and only slightly uphill grade, leading on to a number of steps before giving way to terra firma.

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Rocky Path

Wooden walkways and paths give way to bare rock. Although only a short trail, the route to the top isn't without an occasional steep step or brief scramble that might challenge the less mobile. However, there are plenty of opportunities to stop and appreciate the views and take a respite from the hike.

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Mt. Tamalpais East Peak (2,572ft)

After only a quarter of a mile of hiking and a couple of switchbacks, you've reached the summit of Mt. Tamalpais!

You're surely not the only one up here at this popular destination, but the views are well worth braving the crowds for. Plus, there are many unobstructed points from which to admire the scenery - whether it's San Francisco to the South, the Richmond Bridge to the East or the rolling hills to the north, the great views surround you.

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Gravity Railroad Museum

Just behind the ice-cream stall you'll find the free Gravity Railroad Museum which memorializes the former Mt Tamalpais Scenic Railway from Mill Valley.

Back in the day the tourist would reach the top of the mountain by locomotive, and then gradually descend again on the free-wheeling Gravity Railroad. Check out the You Tube video linked to this guide to be transported back in time.

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Restrooms

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Concessions Stand

Whether you're looking to satiate a sweet tooth or simply looking for hydration, this is the place to look. Oh, wouldn't it be great you could buy an ice-cream treat on the top of every mountain?

Also, a drinking water spigot is located just to the left of the concessions stand.