4.8
(778)
16,741
hikers
18
hikes
Hiking around Tiburon offers routes across a peninsula in Marin County, characterized by open grasslands, exposed ridgelines, and coastal paths. The area's geography provides expansive views of the San Francisco Bay, Angel Island, and the city skyline. Hikes often involve moderate inclines on a mix of paved paths and dirt trails through nature preserves.
Last updated: April 26, 2026
5.0
(8)
29
hikers
22.0km
06:21
540m
550m
Embark on a challenging hike along the Angel Island Fire Roads, a difficult route spanning 13.7 miles (22.0 km) with a significant elevation gain of 1778 feet (542 metres). This extensive journey typically takes around 6 hours and 20 minutes to complete, offering a robust workout amidst stunning natural beauty. As you traverse the island's interior, you will wind through serene oak woodland and fragrant chaparral, feeling the island's wild atmosphere. The trail frequently opens up to provide expansive panoramic views of the entire San Francisco Bay Area, including clear vistas of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin County Headlands, and the majestic Mount Tamalpais in the distance. You will experience a sense of escape as you climb, with each turn revealing another breathtaking perspective of the surrounding waters and cityscape.
Planning your visit to Angel Island requires careful attention to ferry schedules, as the island is exclusively reachable by boat from either Tiburon or San Francisco. Ensure you check the latest ferry times to allow ample time for your hike and return journey. While the Fire Roads offer a more natural and less crowded experience compared to the paved Perimeter Road, be mindful of potential natural hazards like poison oak and ticks along the way. This route is best enjoyed by experienced hikers prepared for a full day of activity and elevation.
Beyond the physical challenge, the Angel Island Fire Roads offer a unique blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue. You will encounter remnants of the island's past, including historic abandoned buildings that tell stories of its varied roles over time. The route also leads to tranquil spots like Quarry Beach, providing peaceful moments amidst your strenuous hike. This trail is an excellent choice if you are seeking to immerse yourself in nature and history, far from urban crowds, while still enjoying unparalleled views of one of California's most famous bays.
20
hikers
3.24km
00:50
20m
10m
Embark on an easy hike along the Old Rail Trail, a gentle path spanning 2.0 miles (3.2 km) with a minimal elevation gain of 58 feet (18 metres). You can expect to complete this route in about 49 minutes. The trail itself is typically flat and wide, featuring a smooth surface of compacted gravel, making for a comfortable walking experience. As you hike, you'll encounter varied scenery, passing through natural areas and catching glimpses of the surrounding landscape. A key highlight is Richardson Bay Park, offering a great viewpoint to take in the area's natural beauty.
Planning your visit to the Old Rail Trail is straightforward, as the route is generally accessible for a wide range of users thanks to its minimal elevation changes. Parking is usually easy to find; look for designated areas close to the trailhead. This trail is suitable for a quick outing, perhaps in the morning or late afternoon. Before you head out, it's always a good idea to check local signage for any specific regulations or seasonal considerations that might be in effect.
The Old Rail Trail holds a unique history as a former railway line, which explains its characteristically flat and wide path. This conversion from railway to trail provides a smooth and consistent surface, ideal for a relaxed outdoor experience. The trail's location near Richardson Bay Park also makes it a great spot to appreciate the local natural beauty and offers a convenient connection to other points of interest in the area.

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20.9km
05:39
270m
270m
Hike the Bay Trail from Paradise Drive to Bothin Marsh, a difficult 13.0-mile route with marsh views and birdwatching opportunities.
1.81km
00:39
110m
110m
Easy 1.1-mile hike in Old Saint Hilarys and Uplands Preserve with panoramic Bay Area views and historic Old St. Hilary's Church.
4.8
(12)
130
hikers
8.29km
02:23
210m
210m
Hike the North Ridge and Sunset Trail Loop on Angel Island, offering moderate difficulty, 5.1 miles, and stunning Bay Area views.
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Well signposted and close by you can park next to the beautiful access road along the side (just opposite the university entrance).
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Tiburon Harbor is a picturesque waterfront location with sweeping views of San Francisco Bay and Angel Island. Once a bustling railroad and ferry hub, it's now a charming spot for visitors with its marina, restaurants, historic Main Street, and scenic walking paths. The harbor is a popular gateway to outdoor adventures, from sailing and kayaking to catching the ferry for a day of hiking on Angel Island.
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The abandoned army church at Fort McDowell provides a striking window into the regionβs history and its role in past military life.
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You can get some incredible views while walking or biking the Perimeter Road on Angel Island. This is a sterling example, as you can see the entire span of the Golden Gate Bridge from here.
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While navigating the switchbacks here on Sunset Trail, enjoy rewarding views of Golden Gate, Richardson Bay, and Tiburon. The best views are on the corners of the switchbacks, and on some corners there are little wooden benches to sit on and take a break.
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The Angel Island Ferry Landing in Ayala Cove offers regular passenger ferry service to Tiburon and San Francisco. The Angel Island to Tiburon Ferry provides a 15-minute crossing of the Racoon Strait to the Tiburon Ferry Terminal. The island is car-free, providing safe trails to hikers and bikers. Unlike the Tiburon and Sausalito ferry piers, private boats can moor at Ayala Cove Pier under Angel Island State Park's rules. Late in the day, lines can grow long, and on busy dates, visitors may be left waiting at the pier when the ferry reaches capacity.
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Landing of the short ferry from Tiburon or the longer ride from San Francisco. From here the entire island is car-free, reserved for hikers and bikers.
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Excellent remote primitive tent-only campground, pre-booking required. 3 sites, all year, all ages, 34 ft elev, tables, grill, water, toilets, fish, trail, hike, primitive. Campsite #7 is in the Sunrise site on the east side of the island with sweeping views of Berkeley, Oakland and the Bay Bridge. It is grouped with Campsites #8 and #9, each of which has its own picnic table, charcoal grill and food locker. The Sunrise sites share an outhouse and water spigot with drinking water.
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Yes, many trails and parks in the Tiburon area welcome dogs, though they often need to be on a leash. A popular spot for a walk with your dog is Blackie's Pasture, which connects to a scenic, flat waterfront path. For hillier terrain, the Tiburon Uplands offers a short but steep hike with great views where leashed dogs are also permitted.
Tiburon has several easier options perfect for families. The Tiburon Historical Trail is a well-regarded, relatively flat path that offers a pleasant walk with interesting local history. Another excellent choice is the paved Old Rail Trail, which provides stunning bay views along an accessible 2.5-mile path suitable for all ages and strollers.
You can reach Angel Island State Park by taking a short and scenic ferry ride directly from the Tiburon ferry terminal. It's best to check the current schedule and ticket prices with the official ferry provider before you go, as times can vary seasonally.
Yes, there are several great loop trails. For a moderately challenging hike with 360-degree views of the Bay Area, consider the Sunset Trail lookout β Sunrise Site loop from Belvedere. This route offers a comprehensive tour of the peninsula's scenic ridges.
The hiking trails around Tiburon are famous for their panoramic views. On clear days, you can expect sweeping vistas of the San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Angel Island. Preserves like Old St. Hilary's are particularly known for their world-class, unobstructed bay views.
The terrain is quite varied. You'll find everything from flat, paved coastal paths like the Old Rail Trail to steep, dirt tracks on the hills of Old St. Hilary's Preserve. Many trails in the area, such as those in Ring Mountain Preserve, feature open grasslands and exposed ridgelines with a mix of packed dirt and rocky sections.
Restroom availability varies. You can find public restrooms at popular, well-developed areas like Blackie's Pasture and near the ferry terminals for Angel Island. However, many of the trailheads for the more natural preserves, like Tiburon Uplands or Ring Mountain, are more rustic and may not have facilities.
The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.8 stars. Reviewers consistently praise the incredible, expansive views of the San Francisco Bay available from nearly every trail. The mix of accessible coastal walks and more challenging ridge hikes is also a frequently mentioned highlight.
There is a network of over a dozen curated hiking routes around Tiburon. These range from easy, flat shoreline walks to moderately difficult climbs in the area's open space preserves, offering plenty of options for different fitness levels.
Absolutely. Besides hiking, Tiburon is great for biking. The Old Rail Trail is a popular 2.5-mile paved path perfect for a leisurely ride with fantastic bay views. For a more adventurous ride, you can take your bike on the ferry to Angel Island and cycle the Perimeter Road.
Tiburon offers several highly-regarded hiking destinations. Some popular spots include:
Hiking in Tiburon is enjoyable year-round. Spring is particularly beautiful when the hills are green and wildflowers, like the rare Tiburon Mariposa Lily in Ring Mountain Preserve, are in bloom. Autumn and winter often provide the clearest days for spectacular views across the bay. Summer can be warm, so it's best to start early to avoid the midday heat.


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