Verna Dunshee Loop Trail around Mt Tamalpais East Peak

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Verna Dunshee Loop Trail around Mt Tamalpais East Peak

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
Duration: 1 hour or less

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Overview: The Verna Dunshee Loop around the East Peak of Mount Tamalpais (or Mt Tam as locals call it) provides one of the best views of any trail in the Bay Area. The trails is even and paved, but quite narrow and with very steep drops.

The trail is easy to find and follow. Just drive up to the East Peak of Mt Tam, which is a very scenic drive in and of itself. Park at the Mt Tam parking lot, and head towards the visitor center. There is another trail heading up to the summit of Mt Tam (see this EveryTrail Guide, that heads to the left behind the visitor center. For this trail keep the restrooms on your left to head to the trailhead.

Tips: The trail is suitable for strollers and wheel chairs, but be mindful of the narrowness of the trail and lack of protection from the steep drops. Keep a close eye on small kids!

Points of Interest

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Parking

Park your car and pay your $8 parking fee here. The trailhead for the Verna Dunshee Trail is located towards the end of the parking lot.

There's a visitor center, restrooms and an ice cream stall (open during summer season).

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Verna Dunshee Loop Trailhead

Start the trail at the end of the parking lot. Keep the restrooms on your left, and follow the paved trail. The trail starts with its only switchback. Just keep following the level trail from here.

Be carful with little kids for the steep drop on your right, as it is not fenced of properly in several instances.

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Viewing platform

The views from here on San Francisco and the Bay are absolutely stunning. Take your time to take it all in.

Continue the trail by crossing a narrow bridge. You'll see some steep trails that bend of to the right along the way. Enjoy the views on the double summits of Mt Diablo.

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Gravity Railroad Museum

Just before arriving back at the end of the trail you'll pass the Gravity Railroad Museum. Here you can learn more about the scenic railroad that was in operation a century ago and was one of the main tourist attractions in San Francisco at the time.