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Phoenix Lake – Fish Gulch trail junction loop from Mill Valley

Phoenix Lake – Fish Gulch trail junction loop from Mill Valley

Hard

3.2

(24)

riders

Phoenix Lake – Fish Gulch trail junction loop from Mill Valley

03:59

45.7km

1,180m

Gravel riding

Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 25, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Blithedale Summit Open Space Preserve

Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

7.15 km

Old Railroad Grade Trail Gate Overlook

Highlight • Viewpoint

Sweeping views south and east, all the way to SF, and Mt Tam right above behind you to the north. The bench is dedicated to the family who built their house in front of you 60 years ago.

Tip by

7.26 km

Railroad Grade at Fern Canyon & Summit

Highlight • Trail

Uphill from this intersection a portion of the Railroad Grade has been taken over by Fern Canyon Rd after the Mt Tam railroad closed. A short distance uphill on pavement brings you to the end of Fern Cyn. A bit before the end the Railroad Grade gravel forest road splits off again to the right. The Temalpa Trail that joins here is steep with stairs, not open to biking.

Tip by

19.7 km

Natalie Coffin Greene Park 🌳 Ross

Highlight • Rest Area

In 1967, the family of Natalie Coffin Greene gave 25 acres of Phoenix Lake land for a park in her memory. Locals know about the little park at the end of Lagunitas Road in Ross, although they may not know its name. Most people think of it as the shady little park just below Lake Phoenix, and the place to park your car and set off on a hike or or mountain bike ride on the extensive Marin Municipal Water District’s watershed lands and Mt. Tamalpais. It is a very private, secluded and peaceful spot to set out on a day hike or bike ride. The park also makes a great destination in and of itself. It has picnic tables, Ross Creek running through it, and restrooms.
The fire road up to Phoenix Lake continues around the north side of the lake, and connects with fire roads running throughout the watershed lands up to the top of Mt. Tam. The south side of the lake is strictly a hiking trail, so no bikes allowed. However, dogs are allowed as long as they are on leash. The round trip walk from the park up and around the lake is about 2.7 miles.
The tiny parking lot is usually full on summer weekends, so it's better to bike in. Up at the lake, there are a couple of benches for relaxing and enjoying the view and the quiet; you can also fish, but there are no people or boats allowed in the water, which would be nice to cool off in the summer!

Tip by

20.8 km

Phoenix Lake

Highlight • Lake

On Shaver Grade Road, you get to ride along the incredibly blue waters of Phoenix Lake.

Tip by

21.6 km

Fish Gulch trail junction

Highlight • Trail

From easiest to hardest climbs out of phoenix lake from this junction:
-Shaver Grade, easy grade, longer, shaded and pretty
-Eldridge Grade, medium, good length and can connect you to mt tam east peak
-Fish Grade fire road, very steep, we hiked the bikes

Tip by

30.8 km

Old Railroad Grade Trail (upper half) — Mt Tam

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Old Railroad Grade trail follows the route of the railroad that reached the peak of Mount Tam from Mill Valley (and a spur to Muir Beach) between 1896 and 1930. This segment starts about mid-mountain at the site of an old station (notice the concrete "sidewalk" on the side of the trail), at the intersection with Gravity Car Trail and Hoo-Koo-Ee-Koo trail, just above the Double Bowknot (a series of four hairpin curves of the old railroad). Since this used to be a railroad, it has a very steady average grade of around 6%, making it easy to climb up on a bike. About 2 miles from the old station platform the trail passes West Point Inn ( komoot.de/highlight/215020 ) , with snacks, picnic tables and restrooms (also offering romantic cabins with killer views across the whole bay). For more of the history see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tamalpais_and_Muir_Woods_Railway

Tip by

33.0 km

Mount Tamalpais West Point

Peak

33.3 km

Flowy downhill section above Laguna Creek

Highlight • Trail

After looping around West Point the Railroad Grade trail snakes through open and tree-lined sections with fun curves.

Tip by

34.0 km

Railroad Grade Fire Road Overlook to San Francisco

Highlight • Viewpoint

On clear days views open up along the trail across the bay and including the San Francisco skyline

Tip by

45.7 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

29.3 km

8.76 km

5.22 km

2.44 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

29.2 km

9.20 km

7.02 km

295 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (680 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Today

Sunday 12 July

21°C

11°C

9 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h

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Description

If you're looking for a truly challenging and rewarding gravel biking experience in Marin County, the Phoenix Lake – Fish Gulch trail junction loop from Mill Valley is one of those popular routes that delivers. This difficult 28.4-mile (45.7 km) gravel biking loop packs in a substantial 3883 feet (1183 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 3 hours and 58 minutes to complete, making it ideal for riders with very good fitness seeking a significant day out.

What to expect on Phoenix Lake – Fish Gulch trail junction loop from Mill Valley

This loop takes you on a diverse journey through the natural beauty surrounding Mill Valley, at the base of Mount Tamalpais. You'll traverse through serene redwood forests, climb rolling hills, and descend into deep canyons, with the scenery often shifting to oak woodlands and open grasslands. From higher elevations, keep an eye out for expansive views that can include the Pacific Ocean and even the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Be prepared for a hard gravel ride; some sections are steep and loose, and you might find yourself needing to push your bike on certain technical parts, so this route is best suited for experienced gravel bikers.

Planning your visit

This loop is a top favorite among local gravel bikers in the Mill Valley area, known for its extensive network of trails. While much of the route is gravel-friendly, it's important to note that the immediate trail around Phoenix Lake itself might not permit bikes. Always check local regulations before you go. Given the significant distance and elevation, ensure you carry plenty of water and nutrition, especially on warmer days.

Trail details

Distance: 28.4 miles (45.7 km)
Elevation gain: 3883 feet (1183 metres)
Difficulty: difficult
Estimated time: 3 hours and 58 minutes

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Phoenix Lake – Fish Gulch trail junction loop from Mill Valley

Old Railroad Grade Trail Gate Overlook

Railroad Grade at Fern Canyon & Summit

Natalie Coffin Greene Park 🌳 Ross

Phoenix Lake

Fish Gulch trail junction

Old Railroad Grade Trail (upper half) — Mt Tam

Flowy downhill section above Laguna Creek

Railroad Grade Fire Road Overlook to San Francisco

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