Awesome hiking trail! The first mile is all stairs through a beautiful redwood forest. The rest of the trail is more akin to an expected hiking trail. You can go the full 10 miles and end up at Stinson Beach, but there are also several shorter trails you can also take. The trail has amazing views of the entire north and east bay. The entrance has a great playground. Unfortunately the trail has very poor trail markings. There were several times we couldnt easily figure out how to continue on the trail. Also there was also a lot of poison ivy so be careful.

From redwood forests to sweeping coastal views, the Dipsea trail gives hikers the full range of California biodiversity and views. Be sure to check out the Marin stagecoach schedule - it can be helpful to hike out to stinson and shuttle back. Also, you must follow this local rule: in a group, the last person to spot a given banana slug must kiss it!

One of the most scenic trails in all of the bay area, the Dipsea Trail is a 9.7 heavily trafficked hike beginning from Mill Valley and ending on the pretty shores of Stinston Beach. The scenery is wonderful, and after 3 hours of hiking youre able to enjoy all the amenities of civilization at the beach. The eateries are great, the park is fun, but be prepared to have a method of transportation to get you back to Mill Valley.Transportation back to Mill Valley is very hard to come by. Theres a bus, but because of Covid they are limited to a maximum capacity of 4 people. This bus also serves other locations, so getting a spot is incredibly difficult. Reception in Stinston Beach is also incredibly spotty, and I was never once able to get an Uber/Lyft back (I dont think either service this location). That leaves hiking as the only reliable means of transportation back, which is problematic as a ~20 mile round trip is difficult on most people. Ive had to do this once and it was a real struggle for me to get back before night fell, so if you plan on doing the whole round trip dont be dumb like me and get there as early as possible, giving you time to rest and time to hike back.With that out of the way, I still highly encourage anyone interested to explore this trail, even if you have to do it in pieces. Its quite beautiful and the redwoods are always a sight, the views of the ocean, as well as the occasional peal of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge are really sights you cant get anywhere else. Pack well, and happy Trails!

So many trees create perfect shade. The feels extra clean. Highly recommend!

It was a beautiful, people had their masks on. It is a little troubling to find the start of the stairs. But it doesnt matter which stairs you start at the bottom it will connect or they will be signs to show you where the dipsea stairs continue

Sweet hike! Take your time with it - probably 5-7 hours in and out depending on your pace. Be sure to stop by the beach snack shack at the end and pick up some yummy fish tacos!

Theres just so much to see here. You wont regret it.

Love starting the Dipsea Trail from the trailhead in Old Mill Park. Just up the hill from traffic circle that the trailhead is right next to, theres usually parking available on a little gravel area right off the road. Old Mill Park has restrooms which is convenient. And all those stairs are a great way to warm the legs up and get the heat pumping for the trail itself.

Perfect workout. 7.2 miles from the bottom to Stinson Beach.

You gotta love stairs and be up for the challenge.. Dont forget to bring water

Great trail capturing forests, clearings, views of San Francisco and Stinson Beach. Can make it a 7 mile loop or longer...

Awesome hike! Walked from the parking lot to Stinson Beach and the view is amazing!

A very cool historical trail. The start of the Dipsea trailhead begins next to Old Mill Park in Mill Valley and ascends up the hillside into Muir Woods National Forest. The start of this trailhead zig zags up the hill between homes and across streets until it reaches the main road and crosses into more open natural terrain. Use google maps to find the next portion of the trail if you are uncertain where it leads to next since it is hard to follow. The trail begins with multiple stair that climb up the hillside most are cement, but some are the original woodsteps near the start and a amall portion is the very old stone steps which are uneven. Overall a difficult hike and trail due to the elevation gain but great for a workout and an awesome experience!

Worth the detour ! Many steps to climb. The forest is amazing

We started at the old Mill elementary school. At first we didnt see the dipsea emblem but a helpful person pointed it out to us. The stairs are situated among houses but its so cool walking by them. Eventually you head into Muir woods. The signs are not clear and one time we had to cut across to the correct trail. More elevation up and down stairs and well lets just say 7 miles felt like 17. We made it to Stinson Beach caught the 61 back to mill valley. Then had to walk back to our car. Ate at the sea peddler in sausileto then crashed at the hotel.

That area is actually a giant park and not part of a national park with long trails. Its more like smaller trails in and around city roads but also had some nicer parts with amazing trees around.

The trail is beautiful, but the starting is too confusing.

Enjoyable trail and a must do for anyone from the Bay Area who enjoys hiking. It is an SF classic and takes in great views of the bay and the California coast. A slight detour through Muir Woods is a bonus.Definitely start at the traditional start point in Mill Valley so you can take in the Dipsea steps. There is about a mile of urban hiking through some residential streets but you eventually get to the woods. The hike also ends with some even more steep steps and you come out at Stinson Beach. There are a couple of restaurants at the beach where you can grab food and a beer and then go sit out on the beach or go for a dip to cool off.

Easily one of the best trails in SF Bay Area striking distance. Dipsea is iconic and for good reason: you get to experience so many different terrains of California on a single trail. One of my favorite spots is when you can cut across to Steep Ravine and go from the rather barren foothills to a pretty well forested area.I recommend parking at the Muir Woods shuttle in Sausalito, starting in mill valley at the trailhead and walking along the trail to Muir Woods, check that out a bit, then continue hiking dipsea and cut back on steep ravine to Muir Woods. From there, you can take a shuttle back to your car and it makes for a great day hike.It isn’t that difficult of a hike either for someone that is in ok/reasonable shape.

Its great. But Slightly ruined by a crabby lady telling me to cover my face as we passed on the staircase. Its actually optional when exercising .. As long as u try to maintain space..but on stairwell no way to move away ..but she had a greater chance of infecting me by yelling at me as she passed ..rather than just turn your head & gold your breath for a few seconds ..i pull my t-shirt over my face most of the time .. But some people use it now legalistically for power & control . she upset me so much that i increased my speed downwards ...then i slipped on the wet stairs (it rained all night) & sprained 2 fingers . thanks lady. I noticed she didnt say anything to the group of 3 right after me, none of whom had masks . so she was just cherry (nit) picking ...she puts the B in -itchSearch Marin County..those engaged in outdoor exercise such as hiking... are NOT required to wear a face covering but ... must continue to practice physical distancing..#facemasks#COVID19

Enticing trail close to the bay area, hiked though some sections while bikepacking up to Point Reyes .Has an abundance of stunning vistas and wildlife

One of my favorite trails in the bay area. On the way to Muir Woods, there are plenty of beautiful redwoods, local houses, and amazing mountain views.I bring my visitors here for a good 5.5 miles hike (back and forth to Muir Woods) or 9.5 miles to the beach! :D

Challenging walk with lots of steps - 100s?Signposts could be improved especially where the trail breaks into road stretches in several spots.

Bring a map, so youre not wandering off onto some busy road.

If you are a hiker this is a classic that should not be missed. The trail starts with a climb up 800+ stairs in Mill Valley then meanders through several eco-systems with lots of elevation changes and ends up at Stinson Beach where you can cool your feet in the ocean.

The Dipsea should be on the bucket list of everybody who lives in the Bay Area. The 7 mile hike out to Stinson Beach starts with three grueling flights of stairs. After that youre not done. You still have a some climbing to get to the first ridge, at Windy Gap. Then you drop into Muir Woods. You can take a little break here before the long climb to Cardiac Hill. Then its a steep downhill to the beach.Pro-tip: you can avoid the Muir Woods reservation system by parking in downtown Mill Valley and hiking to Muir Woodspro-tip 2: once you get to Stinson Beach you can take the Marin transit bus back to downtown Mill Valley for $1 (price as of 2019)

Down and up 2 flights flights of stairs and lost count at 600, whew my legs were wobbly but I kept going all the way up the the Sun Trail and got our of the shade of the trees and caught some warmth of the Marin sun. Great way to start the day. Next is to keep going and go all the way to Stinson Beach, but I think for me some training will need to happen first. Cheers, HDV

Great exercise in a magical location.

Lots of stairs. Worth the effort to the top.

Fantastic spot for a workout, 3 set of stairs each set has some 300 steps

It’s amazing trail to train for any marathons.

Lots of cardio on the steps.

Really great hike. I did the double dipsea and it was super long but very fun. Be sure to bring water and comfortable shoes. I would not wear jeans or tennis shoes

I love this trail for hiking or running. very well maintained

For well over a hundred years, this is the trailhead for one of the best hiking/running/walking trails in the entire Bay Area. Put it on your bucket list if you havent experienced it already! Round trip is less than 14 miles, and with some of the most varied climbs (and VIEWS!) in the whole wide world, from the redwoods of tiny Mill Valley to the Marin beaches at the Pacific Ocean.

Fantastic scenery. Good exercise. Do the round trip to Stinson beach.

Great place to go. Mill valley park is where the trail begin. But if you go to Muir wood visitor center u can skip the beautiful stair climb up. There is a water fountain about half way to Stinson Beach. If you do park at mill valley park you can take the 61 bus back and walk a little. If you prefer lyft go to Stinson Beach library for free wifi if you dont have signal. Have fun!

Nice little workout in a very pretty environment especially during warm summer days.

Climbing the Dipsea stairs to start off a hike to the ocean never gets old!

Nice and green recently- beautiful range of scenery and just gorgeous views at the top.

Lovely area; challenging, but not hard climb.

Amazing place to visit, so beautiful!

750 stairs to heaven !

Beautiful location to start the seven plus mile hike to Stinson Beach. While parking may be a challenge, we did not have that experience arriving to begin the hike at 1pm on a Saturday. After completing the hike to Stinson Beach we waited about an hour for the next shuttle to return us near the Mill Valley parking spot that we left the car at. Good thing we brought a flash light as it was dark when going down the steep stairs that we started the day on.

I arrived in Mill Valley before sunrise and parked on Lovell Ave. near the intersection with Old Mill St. I left my car there all day on a Saturday and it was fine. The trail is very well marked. If you do a small amount of research before setting off, everything is as described. It will take 3-4 hours to reach Stinson Beach.

Awesome hiking steps/trail.

Awesome trail

Great inclination. Shady.

Tough Trail!

Amazing!

Best place to go up if youve grown up in Mill Valley.

Walk up the Dipsea steps and up another street and youre there.

Great exercise up the long set of stairs

Excercise and scenery.

Hard to locate

Beautiful location, and the library around here is straight out of a fairy tale. But I could not find any trailhead :(

We started in Mill Valley and Stinson Beach beautiful views and lots of stairs my calves hurt for 3 days afterward but it was well worth it!

Want a good cardio workout? Do the steps!

The Dipsea hike to Stinson beach is incredible. You can catch a shuttle back to close to the trail head!

Stairs that go forever

Love this Trail for the beautiful coastal views, the majestic Muir Woods, the proximity to the city (25 mins), and the accessibility to Big Sur (for a sumptuous lunch as our reward)!

Beautiful trail for hiking. Bring water to stay hydrated.

Nice out here

Awesome workout

Experienced the scenic trail on the way to Muir Woods.

I love this place

Really hard to find parking

Fun trail, beautiful views, breathtaking nature

Beautiful trail through the coastal redwoods.

Awesome trail!

Fantastic trail...

Very good

Climbing daily

Iconic and gorgeous

Absolutely love this place

Gorgeous views

Wonderful outdoors and woodlands near by

I beautiful piece of history

Great place to get some air and have a walk in some beautiful natural setting of land and sea and air