Cycling GG to Marin

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area includes the Marin Headlands located on the north side of the Golden Gate bridge along the Pacific Ocean. These hills are home not only to old battlements, nike missile sites, the Mammal Rescue Center, the Marin Headlands Institute as well as many trails and fire roads.

This ride begins on the San Francisco side of the Golden Gate Bridge. After crossing the bridge, the route takes you up the main paved road toward the bunkers at the top and then down the other side to Fort Cronkite and Rodeo Beach. After a short stop at the beach, you hit the trails, climb over a hill on fire roads and then descend into Tennessee Valley, a major jumping-off point for visitors to the area. Another climb on Marinchello Trail leads to panoramic views toward Sausalito, Angel Island and Richardson Bay, before dropping down yet again near Fort Cronkhite. One final climb takes you back over a hill and down to the bridge for your return to where you started.

The trails are wide, generally smooth and not terribly steep. There are four distinct climbs along the route, however, and that's what makes the ride rather strenuous.

To Start

Start the ride at the parking lot on the south side of the Golden Gate bridge. The lot near the bridge has parking fees and if you're planning to stay longer than the metered time, you may want to drive down to Lincoln and park along the street there.

Region: North Bay	Total Distance: 24 miles
Difficulty Rating: Difficult	Off-Road Distance: 10 miles
Skill Level: Intermediate	Riding Time: 4 hours
Elevation Gain: 2800 feet	Total Calories: 1500

Mile Markers

0.0	Proceed through tunnel under bridge roadway and head NORTH across Golden Gate Bridge.
2.2	Turn LEFT onto Conzelman Road on the north side of the bridge.
3.6	Bear LEFT to stay on Conzelman Road at the intersection with McCullogh Road on the right side.
4.2	Battery 129 on the right side — bunkers and tunnels dating from World War II.
6.5	Continue STRAIGHT at the intersection toward Point Bonita.
6.9	Fort Barry—turn LEFT on the main road toward lighthouse.
7.0	Point Bonita lighthouse on the left — continue STRAIGHT.
7.3	End of the road with views of Rodeo Beach and Fort Cronkhite — turn around and return the way you came.
8.8	Visitor Center on the left.
8.9	Turn LEFT toward Rodeo Beach.
9.3	Bear LEFT toward the beach.
9.8	Rodeo Beach—turn around and return the way you came.
10.5	Just past last building of Fort Cronkhite on the left, turn LEFT off the main road and get on Miwok Trail.
10.8	Continue STRAIGHT at intersection with Rodeo Valley Trail on the right.
11.0	Continue STRAIGHT at intersection with Bobcat Trail on the right.
12.4	Turn LEFT onto Old Springs Trail.
13.6	Continue through the stable area, heading toward Tennessee Valley parking area.
13.8	Turn RIGHT onto Marinchello Trail just after Miwok Trail intersection.
15.3	Bear LEFT to get on Bobcat Trail.
16.0	Bear RIGHT to stay on Bobcat Trail.
18.1	Turn LEFT onto Rodeo Valley Trail.
18.3	Bear RIGHT at trail split.
18.5	Cross small bridge and then turn LEFT onto paved road.
18.7	Cross main road and get on trail on the far side. Continue through clearing and turn LEFT onto main trail.
19.0	Continue past gate onto Coastal Trail.
20.3	Exit past gate and turn LEFT onto Conzelman Road.
21.4	Turn RIGHT onto road leading back toward bridge and cross bridge back to San Francisco.
23.7	End of the ride.