Matt Davis Trail Head

beautiful trail! clear skies and temperate weather, not too packed and only slightly muddy in a couple spots. we took this coming down from pantoll, and the downhill does get pretty steep in certain areas, but the views were gorgeous and very diverse, with ocean views along the ridge and greenery in the forested areas.

In stark contrast to the chaos surrounding the incredibly popular Muir woods the Matt trail is almost completely serene. An interesting mixed terrain trail that intertwines sections of sunshine & shade. Only an occasional bird is heard to sing and the coast fog muffles the wind noise. Of course completely avoid if an event is held at the Cushing Memorial Amphitheater as it serves as a walkway return to Mill Valley.

Was a nice moderate hike that will give you a leg workout! If you go non-stop for 40 min, you'll get through most technical and difficult part of hike which features steep switch back stairwells, huge roots, and sharp boulders protruding the surface of the ground. Need good quality shoes here! Once you reach the first fork, you make a right to continue on the Matt Davis trail. More steep inclines and you'll reach the second fork. Go straight to continue on the Matt Davis, or hook a left and double back down the trail via a fire road which is 1.6 miles from the fork. You'll end up at the Willow Camp Fire Road fork and it's another 1.2 miles downhill from there. Best to start hike by 8am to finish at the Camp Willow Fire Road entrance by noon. Fire road is mostly a steep decline with sections of loose gravel, so need really good shoes here. Recommend something with ankle support, though can get away with low cut shoes but ankles will suffer. Bring equivalent of at least 1.5L of water and a snack

In my opinion, one of the finest trail combinations in the park. Matt Davis to Steep Ravine and back down to Stinson Beach. There are many trails to choose from but there is something about starting at the ocean and ending at the ocean, in Stinson Beach, that really appeals to me.

Lots of stairs and switchback paths with uneven terrain, but it ends with a nice view near the top of the Steep Ravine Trail. I feel like if I had to do the loop again, I'd probably start with Matt Davis, go to Steep Ravine, and end with Dipsea because Matt Davis is a difficult finish to the loop in my opinion.

Beautiful trail with photo worthy views!.. The sound of the waterfall will relax you while the rest of nature puts a smile on your face! Bring the kids, but note that pets are not allowed on the beach 🥲 Bring your trail mix, make sure your phone is charged and enjoy! ❤️

Great trail that connects to a big trail junction with unlimited hiking opportunities. Bikes aren't allowed which makes hiking a very nice experience. Views of creeks, rocks, forests and the ocean.

Great views along this coastal trail with a few different routes to choose from. Ancient Redwood trees, streams and waterfalls. Picnic spaces available on Stinson beach where you can start the trail. Definitely recommended!

Amazing 4 hour trail! We started at Stinson beach and had a blast! It starts quite steep but still manageable with the steps on the trail as you gain elevation. Great views as you're going up and we experienced some small pockets of sprinkles due to the fog roaming around. Not too many wet areas but we did come across some muddier patches. Pretty solid moderate trail. It can feel hard in the beginning but it gets better. I felt really hydrated with all the moisture around me. It's mostly shaded so that helps as well. Highly recommend!

My favorite Marin hiking trail thus far! The Matt Davis-Steep Ravine loop combines a challenging ridge trail through rolling hills with coastal views alongside a breathtaking jaunt through a majestic Redwood forest. When I tell you that this hike has ev-er-y-thang.... bay-beh, I ain't lyin' to ya! It's the perfect mix of incline + rolling hills + Redwood groves + coastal views. Heaven is really what this trail should be called. Whether you start your trek from Stinson Beach or from the Dipsea steps, get ready for a heart pumper. I honestly feel like starting from Stinson Beach is a bit more challenging, but those Dipsea stairs are no joke either! From Stinson Beach, it's a 3.6 mile uphill battle to the top of Pantoll Campground. It's mostly shaded until you reach the last half mile where the trail turns into a ridge through the hills. On the way up the Matt Davis trail, you'll go through several switchbacks but most of the trail is shaded by pretty groves of trees. Pantoll Campground is the halfway mark. From here, you can actually connect to several other trails and parks (Muir Woods, Mount Tamalpais, etc). BUT... it would behoove you not to finish the most enchanting portions of this trail loop; the Steep Ravine trail. Yes ladies and gents; this is why you wanna hike this loop. The Steep Ravine trail is simply ravishing. You'll basically be deep within a meadow filled with the most lusciously green foliage and the most gorgeous Redwood trees. It literally feels like something out of a movie. So damn beautiful! Plus, the sound of the creek is so peaceful. You might not ever want to leave. And I can't forgot about the infamous ladder! Do climb down that bad boy with caution, and DO take several pictures of that beauty. It's like the trail landmark, if you will. And alas, you'll reach those Dipsea stairs! Well, that's if you start from Stinson Beach (which I highly recommend). This way, you can take in the stunning coastal views on your way back down to the start of the trail. And voila! You've made it through this incredible 9 mile loop trail. Doesn't it sound like a dream?! Well, it truly is a dream to hike it. At least I think so. And after you tackle this baby yourself, I'm sure you'll feel like it's a dream hike too.

Great hike and a great trail! It's like you're in a different world. It's cold in the morning but once you start walking you'll regret having a jacket on so make sure to bring a backpack to put your jacket in. Don't forget to bring water as well. You'll be amaze with how many people forget to bring water then realize that they are thirsty and need some. This is a trail that you just kind of take in and appreciate. You not only get to walk through the Redwoods but you get a beautiful view of the ocean as well.

One of my favorite hikes in the bay! There's a nice stream as you hike through the green forest and a mini waterfall. You can easily spend the day hiking the many trails they have. The steep ravine is steep but the view is worth it! Parking is limited so come early!

Wear sunscreen, bring water and pack a lunch/snacks. My top 3 hikes in the Bay Area! Features a bit of everything -- waterfalls, redwood, Douglas fir, and oak forests, grassland, canyons, and views. The change in scenery and environments makes it pretty cool and fun. The entire loop is about 7.8 miles and took about 4 hours with a few stops for pictures and lunch. I recommend doing the hike counter clockwise, starting at Dipsea trail, then Steep Ravine and ending with Matt Davis. Do not miss the turn to go to Steep Ravine. Avoid the turn to dipsea. You hike down into an enchanted forest and pop out out to Stinson Beach, walk along a road briefly, turn right at the firehouse then hike Matt Davis. It's moderately steep and evens out eventually. On a nice day, parking will be tough and there will be traffic. So I suggest coming here in the morning. Park at Stinson Beach, Pantoll Campground or somewhere along Shoreline Hwy. Make sure to leave some time afterwards to hang out at the beach :)

I love this hike so much! It's everything I love about living here found on the trails; redwoods, ocean views, wild flowers, incredible climbing trails to the top of that big beautiful mountain, mossy wonderland tucked amongst babbling creeks and waterfalls. It's a wallop of a hike that is challenging but oh so worth it. On a beautiful day you can see out over the Bay Area/marin headlands vistas. Rain or shine it is fabulous and worth every drop of sweat earned as you are burning up those trails. I can't say enough good things other than it's not for the faint of heart but it's worth the burn. A few notes to share; pick up after your doggy, trail etiquette is to step aside allowing hikers coming up the right of way, remember we are all out there to enjoy it together so smile to your fellow trailblazers! Just get out there and hit it and be prepared to feel incredible once your done! You'll have earned it.

This was a great hike! The whole 6ish mile loop took us about 3 hours, so it's a good half day activity. There's good variety in terrain as well, there's some open grass area as well as more steep wooded areas. The 10ft ladder also makes for a fun photo op!

Beautiful mix of forest and open space. Wear layers! Parts of the trail were a bit muddy, and the brush can be slippery underfoot sometimes. Steep elevation with step ups and downs, so watch your knees. Also pretty narrow at times with a fair amount of traffic, so lots of stopping to the side and frantically getting the mask out. Main criticism is that the trails weren't very clearly marked (or at all), so we were constantly checking All Trails and at one point did a pretty massive detour. Still it was a beautiful hike! Visited Feb. 2021 Footwear: hiking boots or study footwear/sneakers.

The Matt Davis-Steep Ravine Loop is the quintessential California hike. Woodlands, Redwoods, ocean views, meadows and waterfalls all await you on this moderate to challenging Mt. Tamalpais hike. As others have suggested the best way to embark on the trail is by parking in Stinson Beach on Belvedere Ave. That gets the toughest uphill portion done first (the beginning of the Matt Davis Trail is a steep and steady upward climb.) I learned this the hard way when the first time I did the loop, I parked at Pantoll Campground, hiked down the Steep Ravine Trail to the Dipsea Trail and then had to climb up the Matt Davis Trail halfway through the hike, when my legs were already jelly from the Steep Ravine climb down. The second time I embarked on this loop I had every intention of starting in Stinson Beach but learned that there was an event happening that day-the Miwok 100K which started and ended near the fire station. Parking was tough to find and the road near the trail was closed off. That brought me back to Pantoll for parking, but this time I did the loop in reverse. If you cross Panoramic Highway and go a few yards up the hill, you will see the trail head for the Matt Davis Trail. It starts out through forest land with a pretty flat grade. You will then open up to meadows and hillsides with sweeping views of the coast and Stinson Beach. During the spring, wildflowers abound and this is a lovely stretch of trail. Follow the signs for the downward climb towards Stinson Beach. Although you are going downhill, it still can be a bit rough on the knees. You need to have careful footing (lots of roots) and balance. The climb down through forest is still enjoyable with streams and small waterfalls towards the bottom in winter/spring as well as some views of the coast peeking through the trees. Once at the bottom, make a left and walk past the firehouse and you will see the signs pointing to the Dipsea Trail. This is now the uphill and tougher part of your hike, if you choose to do the loop in this direction. It's not a steep climb and having the ocean breeze nearby helps. You will wind through coastal scrub up the Dipsea and then veering left at the top you will see the signs for Steep Ravine trail which will take you back to Pantoll. The Steep Ravine part of the hike is my favorite. Even on warmer days you have the cool canopy of redwoods throughout this trail. On an early May Saturday, there were still a few small waterfalls and the stream was running nicely. This part of the hike is quite scenic, with redwoods, footbridges and even the infamous ladder (which honestly, isn't so bad.) The climb out of Steep Ravine is short but can be tough if your legs are already tired. Still, the scenery helps you forget most that and it's good to know you are nearly done. One of these days I hope to start the loop as it's intended-up the Matt Davis section from Stinson Beach, but, the other two options I've tried from Pantoll aren't that bad. My fitness tracker puts the whole loop at about 6.8 miles and while there are some tricky parts in terms of footing (rocks, roots, etc) and some steep climbs, it's not an impossible hike for anyone who has a regular fitness and hiking routine. One of my favorite Bay Area hikes!

If you ask me if I like to hike, I would definitely tell you YES. But if you asked me *where* I've hiked, I'd be hard-pressed to give you a list of the hikes I've been on. Truth be told, I've only been on a few, but I really do enjoy hiking and would like to do more. WHY WE CHOSE THIS TRAIL: The variety of landscape and scenery you get on this hike is pretty awesome. You get the forest, the redwoods, the babbling brooks, mini waterfalls, wide open grassy fields and then of course, the spectacular view of the ocean! Online instructions told us to "drive to the Stinson Beach Parking lot. Park there, and take a shuttle bus up the hill to the Pan Toll Ranger Station." That was the plan. Somehow our GPS was confused and the signage wasn't quite enough to get us to the parking lot. But that was perfect because we ended up at the Pan Toll Ranger Station which is ultimately where we wanted to be - and we didn't have to board a bus! Set your GPS for Pan Toll Ranger Station. Park there. Walk down, and then back up! If you are prone to getting car/bus sick, beware. These roads will make you nauseous in a minute. Be prepared w/Dramamine or whatever you do for prevention. This hike is a huge U-turn. Going down it's the MATT DAVIS TRAIL. Coming up it's the STEEP RAVINE TRAIL. We got a simple guide map from the Ranger Station. The hike is roughly 6 miles - there's nothing really steep or difficult despite the name of the trail! Younger kids could easily do this with their parents. The start of the MATT DAVIS TRAIL is literally in front of the Ranger's station. It's 3 miles down the hill. Then you cross to the left of the Fire Station at the bottom and you'll see the pathway entrance for the ascent marked "Steep Ravine Trail". If you have time, you can check out Stinson Beach (we didn't because of time) but sounds fun. It's pretty straight-forward and there is a bit of signage to encourage you along the way. Going down took us 2.5 hours, taking our sweet time. And coming back up took a bit less, about 2 hours. We started at 1:00 which is a bit late, but it worked out perfectly to get us back at 5:30. There was plenty of parking but normally, from what I read in other reviews, the lot is full during peak season. We went on a weekday and it was cloudy, so we pretty much had the trail all to ourselves which was awesome. I highly recommend going on a off-day like that to avoid the crowd. The lack of people def heightened the experience. I haven't been on many hikes, but this one was literally perfect in every way. 6 easy miles, a variety of fantastic landscape and scenery, and didn't cost us a dime! I'm reading other reviews that said they paid an $8 parking permit at the Ranger Station. We didn't. I'm not sure how we evaded that fee, but that's how it happened for us. I got a map from the ranger and he saw us park, but I didn't see a sign for parking fees and he never asked us for $. Maybe they only collect during a certain season?? On the Yelp scale - this hike is a 5 out of 5 stars! HIGHLY recommend!

Looking for a loop with some variation? This is it! Like so many others, I used the bahiker guide and highly recommend it. I stopped by the Pantoll Ranger Station first to pay the $8 permit fee (supporting my parks even if I didn't park there), then headed up to park at Belvedere to start at the Matt Davis Trail. Matt Davis Trail: Your soundtrack is flowing water as you encounter switchbacks and pretty gradual inclines with some stairs. The first part is shaded with towering trees, the next half is an open space trek through the mountain side with an ocean view. As you continue on, you'll descend into the shaded forest area again until you emerge at Pantoll Station. To the right of the station you'll descend into a Redwood Canyon as you travel down Steep Ravine Trail. This part was my favorite! Towering redwoods, mini waterfalls, ducking under tree trunks, and climbing down the 14 rung ladder made it feel like nature's playground! You'll emerge out of the woods and cross a street to continue on to Dipsea (at which point I wondered if I was lost, but fear not!). Dipsea offers an open space dirt trail that brings you a breathtaking view of the ocean and mountains as you descend toward Stinson Beach. You'll follow it all the way down until BAM you are popped back out to the street. Look to the right and you'll find Belvedere, but I highly suggest walking toward the beach and grabbing lunch at Siren Canteen (tacos and a milkshake post hike? You deserve it!). The whole loop took me a little less than 3.5 hours with plenty of stops for pictures/veering off to the side for runner to pass (a marathon was in progress). Definitely coming back, maybe trying from the Dipsea side next time. Oh! If you're early enough, I also recommend parking at Pantoll and doing Steep Ravine-Dipsea-Matt Davis. That way you can use the bathroom and pick up a trail map while you're at it.

Everything you hope for a best trail/hike experience is here. A lot of things already said here. This is a 5 star rating for sure. Will add some things less said. 1. Bahiker and alltrails map for loop is pretty accurate to follow. 2. Park after reaching at 32 Belvedere Ave. Roadside parking good enough. Trail starts from DO NOT ENTER sign (see pic) 3. Most effort is for first 1.5-2 miles while on matt davis trail. Once you see green pastures, trail becomes easier. 4. Best part (for me) of trail was in between pantoll station and dipsea trail. Waterfalls and shades with lower inclines makes it best to explore and take pics. 5. Dont worry about losing your way. There are no seperate tracks and wherever they are, trail signs are aplenty to guide. 6. Total 3 hours for moderate pace hiker, would say 4 hours with meal and rest breaks.

An experience without regrets. If it wasn't for peer pressure, I would've have been up for the hike. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but super worth it. The view up there is spectacular! After awhile though, everything started getting easier as the hike progressed. Going up is obviously the challenge. Going down seemed super fast and easy. We managed to find parking on a street where the fire station is located. You can't miss it. It's free parking, but be courteous as it is a residential neighborhood after all.

Unseasonably warm and perfect on this 7 mile moderate loop yesterday. Awesome, charmed views of SF, Stinson, ocean, and Point Reyes. Loads of people out, taking max advantage of the outlier warm winter day. Love looking at the different hills. This loop affords good mix-up of ecology and fauna. We had a picnic lunch where Matt Davis meets the Coastal Trail. Great private spot for eating, not a lot of foot traffic. Need something to sit on because of all the brambles and pokies. We opted for the bun-stinging, steeeeeeeep veer to the left to get up there. Burn, baby burn!!!! Awesome time... Nature allure and verdant hushed vistas, steps to shape the glutes and lotsa cardio time. About 3-4 hours to complete loop. Pigged out in town afterward....Happy 2014!!!

I feel bad giving this place four stars when the scenery and the various challenges/levels of hikes here are TOTALLY worth 5 stars! I just hated the parking situation here! Coming from the South Bay, it's pretty difficult enough finding a time for my girlfriends and I to do weekend hikes together. So our plan to hike Mt. Tam was a scheduling miracle to begin with! We decided to hike the Matt Davis/Steep Ravine Trail because of its "intermediate" intensity...meaning that it wasn't too easy, nor did it take 8 hours to hike. We planned to start out hike around 11AM, but it was more like noon when we actually started the hike on a Saturday morning. When you arrive, GET HERE BEFORE 11AM or you'll have to park on the narrow side lanes that remind me of the windy roads to campgrounds. The main place that people park is at Pan Toll Station, if you're starting on the Mt. Tam side, not the Stinson Beach side. And NO, it's not the small cluster of parked cars you pass when you finally see the sign that says Mount Tamalpais, keep going down the one-lane windy street until you see signs for Pan Toll Station up ahead. The whole hike actually took us about 5 hours, with driving/parking and lunching when we got to Stinson Beach area. As an active and healthy person, I didn't find this loop to be challenging at all. My friends were a good range of health levels, but we were all affected by the allergies and left with sniffles and stuffed noses. The day after the hike, I only felt a little sore in my booty, but my friends also mentioned calves and hips. It's not a difficult hike at all, but be prepared with water and a hat if you're going in Spring/Summer. The weather was superb on the Saturday we hiked...and there was a good range of hikers that day from old-skool couples with their hiking gear (LEGIT) to a pack of young teenage boys who looked like they were enjoying a day with nature. At some points, we also saw crazy intense runners trail running! Props to those people. I'd totally hike this loop again in the future, but I heard the 8-hour Mt. Tam ascent is one for the books. I look forward to doing that one!

Just wanted to highlight this hike. It's a nice, non-challenging hike, and good for people of all levels. Put 32 Belvedere Ave, Stinson Beach, CA into your GPS. It will take you to a road that loops around the main road in Stinson Beach. You can park anywhere on the side of this road and the trailhead also starts on this road. Take Matt Davis trail to Steep Ravine Trail to Dipsea trail. Most of the hike at the beginning is shaded. Then you come out to the hills that have a couple of steep areas. You then go back to the forest in this little tunnel formed by the trees. Theres are couple of ladders for you to cross. In one part of the loop (about half-way) you have to walk across the road and there's a rest area and restrooms. Lastly, you come out to some hills that overlook the entire beach!! It took us about 3 hours to complete. We were moving at a brisk pace, but also stopped for I minute to take a snack and restroom break. Highly recommended! My only warning is that it's gonna be foggy this summer (as always), so you may not have an awesome view of the beach :/

I've been wanting to do this specific loop for the longest and finally completed the Matt Davis to Steep Ravine loop thanks to all the advice on here. I entered 32 Belvedere Ave, Stinson Beach, CA 94970 into the GPS which takes you right at the Fire Station, but any street parking nearby will do. I hiked this with my bf and two of my friends, we started early by 9:45 on a Saturday so we were able to find street parking easily across from the Fire Station. When going up Belvedere with the Community Center on your right, the Matt Davis trail will start straight ahead passed the Do Not Enter road sign. I did a lot of research prior to the hike so I was expecting this way to go through a lot of incline and stairs for the first 2 miles...people were not joking! That got our heart rate up right away and had us breaking a sweat within 15-20 mins of the hike. Great thigh/glutes work out tho! On the BA Hiker guide that some people including myself referenced (http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/stinson.html), he goes into very specific details about unsigned junctions. I wouldn't worry too much about them because the turns are obvious when it comes to staying on the trail. After the moderately strenuous incline and numerous stairs on the first 2 miles of the hike, the trail opens up to the grasslands/mountain slopes exposing you to the sun at a more flat and easy pace. Before going back into the canopy of trees, there'll be a view look out area to your right. If it's you're first time doing this hike, I'd recommend taking a quick break to enjoy the view. You'll be able to see the ocean and from a far distance, Sutro Tower and even the SF city skyline if it's clear of fog. At this point there'll be a little less than a mile left before hitting the Pan Toll station. Once we got there, we took our lunch break and used the restrooms. There was a picnic area, but after a few minutes of taking our sandwiches, grapes and crackers out, the bees started to surround us so I wouldn't advise sitting up there. The restrooms are well kept so make sure to use em before starting again! When facing the bathrooms, the Steep Ravine trail will be to your right. This half of the trail was a lot more crowded than Matt Davis, but the majority of it was downhill which was a treat after the first half. About a mile into the trail, you will hit the 10 ft wooden ladder going down. It's a bummer that the drought prevents a nice waterfall cascading down next to it. This portion of the hike seemed a lot more lush with more boulders, creeks, bridges, Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole trees, tree stumps to limbo under and since we're lower, the redwoods and other trees feel a lot taller. We might have missed a turn somewhere so unfortunately, the last 1.3 mile for us was on the highway which was pretty dangerous, but funny at the same time. Luckily we made it back to our car near the Fire Station within a little less than 4 hours. 7.3 miles accomplished! Overall a great challenging hike with rewarding sceneries and views that I would like to do again. Come prepared with plenty of water, layered clothing, sunscreen, snacks, and a lunch!

Our hike of the day? Matt Davis - Steep Ravine - Dipsea Trail Beautiful. Loved it. Can't wait to do it again. We hiked 10 miles total. Thanks to some yelp reviews...we went straight to the fire station at Stinson Beach and found the trail right behind it. We got lucky and found parking right in front of the trail. The Matt Davis trail is mostly a trek upwards with high elevation. I recommend starting here as the Dipsea Trail is mostly downhill on your way back. This trail is beautiful. Although we found ourselves mostly in the shade, bring sunblock and quite a bit of water. We went through a good couple of liters for the entire trek. There is so much greenery, areas of flowing water, and nature at its finest. The Steep Ravine Trail is known for its ladder. 14 rung ladder...not difficult at all...even for those with a few of heights. When we went, certain areas were slippery so be cautious of where you're walking. Take a day and check out this trail. 5 stars.

A moderate 7.3 mile loop that features a variety of scenery and best of all, a ladder!! The hike took my boyfriend and I about 4 miles to complete at a leisurely pace. This is definitely a popular hike as we passed (and were passed by) many people. I followed this guide: http://bahiker.com/northbayhikes/stinson.html. Start by following signs for Matt Davis, then switch to Steep Ravine when you get to the ranger station, then to Dipsea. As other reviewers have said, parking is not easy as Stinson Beach is a tiny place and this trailhead is very popular. Try your luck on one of the residential streets, but be courteous. Be sure to bring water, sunglasses, maybe a small snack, and a light jacket depending on the weather.

The perfect Saturday was spent at Mt Tam & thanks to Rosie W, I found the perfect hiking trail.... This gem of a loop starts out w/ Matt Davis Trail, an ascent through picturesque forest w/ wooden bridges & steps to lead you up, up, up All of a sudden, you're at these green, grassy hills - looks very Middle Earth-ish (& I should know - I just got back from there) Stop to take in the glorious ocean view, eat your lunch on the hill - away from the windy chill, enjoy the sun... Enter the forest again to head down to Pantoll Ranger Station & the Steep Ravine Trail... ...which takes you through Redwood Forest, ducking under fallen trees, down a ladder bridge & alongside babbling creeks Then it's onto the Dipsea Trail & gently back up to tumbleweedy fields & another breathtaking view of the ocean - lots of spectacular purples from the teeny flowers intermingled w/ the tumbleweediness Lastly, it's back through the forest for a gentle downward path back to Stinson Beach where you'll definitely want to indulge in the beach itself (and the bathrooms!) Stop at one of the many brunchy spots for a leisurely celebratory meal or grab a snack & head over the the beach to enjoy the surf & sand....after all, you did just hike 7.3 miles! Best part was the actual route - be sure to start at Stinson Beach for a more moderate experience.....I passed many of the same people I saw on my climb UP Matt Davis while going DOWN Steep Ravine & let's just say.....it was really steep & a looooooong was down But if you're looking for a challenging, kick butt, butt workout - climb the Steep Ravine Little something for everyone! LOTS of people out on the trails - so beware if you're a slow-poke, like me, be prepared to get out of the way often.....which was fine w/ me b/c it gave me a good reason to pause to take in the beautiful surroundings

We did this trail backwards I think. We started at the Matt Davis Trailhead in Stinson Beach which is a little up from the fire station where we parked. The hike starts off with a incline and lots of stairs. The best part of the hike is that there is plenty of shade because of all the trees surrounding the path. The hiking path is narrow also with numerous rocks and roots so be careful with you footing. The trail took us to the Pantoll Ranger Station. The hike is approximately 3.7 miles each way. We did get to see a coyote in the forest which is pretty cool, There are coyote warnings at the trailhead. There are also mountain lion and snake warnings also. Recommend taking water and snacks on the hike as there are no water or bathrooms along the hike until you reach the Pantoll Ranger Station. Recommend the hike!

Gorgeous in assorted flavors. Though I've only been twice, the Dipsea - Steep Ravine - Matt Davis Trail is one of my top favorite hikes of all time. Followed the 6.5 mile route on EveryTrail (you'll have to search manually - "Steep Ravine via Matt Davis, Mt Tamalpais") and takes about 4 hours in total. Coming from someone who isn't exactly in shape, I can also say it's not too difficult. PARKING/CROWD: Went this past Saturday morning 10am, a day after getting ~1/4" of rain. Traffic sucked due to people trying to commute to Muir Woods. But the area wasn't too crowded; we parked in Stinson Beach, near Parkside Cafe on Arenal Ave. DIPSEA TRAIL: The trailhead begins at Stinson Beach's firehouse. It starts out as steps at a moderate slope, but gets increasingly difficult going up. The area is pretty open, with not much to obstruct a peaceful view of Bolinas Bay and the sea. STEEP RAVINE TRAIL: Venturing into the woods! The beginning of this is easily my favorite part of the hike. Tall-as-giant redwoods, dinosaur bite-sized leaves, overturned moss-covered trees, the running and falling water from Webb Creek - it feels as if you're in a jungle (at least, my idea of one). Because of the incredible shade the trees provided, it was a bit chilly and dim, but more importantly, added to magicalness of the place. MATT DAVIS TRAIL: This trail is speckled by tons of various trees and redwood trees to provide cover, as well as a grassy hillside coated with a beautiful blanket of golden poppies. We stopped at some points to admire the streams and views. Toward the end, the trail zigzags back and forth, and each turn feels similar to the last. At one point, we asked "Didn't we pass by here already?" FIN!: Once we returned back to Stinson Beach's cute little town, we grabbed a bite at Siren Canteen. Eating burgers and fries is amazing after that long of a hike. It had gotten clearly busier around 2pm. We strolled alongside Stinson Beach and would've loved to stayed longer had it not been so windy.

Perfect hike. One of my favorites that I could do again and again! We started at the Matt Davis trailhead (Belvedere and Laurel) or you can hang a right at the Stinson Beach fire station and you'll see the trailhead clearly marked. Not going to lie, the first 4 miles of this hike are tough. All ascent, lots of steps--we were breathing hard and sweating and are in pretty good shape already. Once you reach the top, the views are pretty amazing. We were literally ABOVE the clouds. Great photo ops. The descent was a lot easier and we enjoyed the leisurely final 3 miles through Steep Ravine and the end of the Dip Sea trail. We stopped at the ranger station a little over 4 miles in and had lunch. The bathroom facilities were nice enough and we found a rock with some shade for a quick break before picking up the steep-ravine trail. Love this hike! Definitely do it!

Absolutely gorgeous hike! A good variety - in the woods with lots of redwoods and vegetation on the Steep Ravine, and great coastal views and viewpoints to stop for a bite on the Matt Davis. We hiked roundtrip Stinson Beach to Dipsea Trail to Steep Ravine to Pan Toll Ranger Station to Matt Davis and back to the start. We stopped under a big tree in our return trip on the Matt Davis trail where we had an expansive view if the ocean, set up a hammock, and had some snacks. At a leisurely pace with breaks, the trip totaled about 4 hours. Moderate in difficulty. Steep up and downhill back (tough on the knees though, I must say, for the last 3 miles or so back). Would definitely do this hike again, any season. Stinson Beach has a cute tiny town with cafés for your post hike grub. The beach is also close to the trailhead. Loved it!

Mt. Tam looms in Marin, viewable from many points in the Bay Area. I'm amazed at how quickly you can escape here to serenity from the hectic city life, and surprised by how many people don't realize it or take full advantage of it. Really, it's cheaper than therapy. There are dozens of routes you can take on Mt. Tam, but this loop is a classic. I've done a number of trail races here, but have never taken the time to slow down and appreciate the beauty that this mountain has to offer. We started at Stinson Beach (which doesn't charge for parking), and anticipated on doing the highly recommended hike beginning at Matt Davis and taking Steep Ravine back from Pantoll, but even with The Trails of Mt. Tam map in hand, I couldn't find the starting point for the life of me. (It's across the street, just south of the Stinson parking lot, right by the Community Center on Belvedere - see bahiker.com.) We looped in the opposite direction instead. You still get views of the Beach on the return trip, but it's early on, and you're further inland. I think starting on Steep Ravine, you get the hard part out of the way first and enjoy an easy way back on Matt Davis (or, maybe I'm just making excuses for being directionally challenged). The scenery can change from one moment to the next. One minute, you're in the lush enchanted forest, crossing a bridge over the stream; the next minute, you're on single track pressed against the rolling hills, overlooking the ocean. You won't get spectacular views of the Bay (for that, head to the East Peak), but it is never boring. The loop was easier than I thought it would be--even for 7 miles and 1500' of elevation change. Granted, I'm fairly active, but unless you're a total couch potato, the grades should be manageable. There are a lot of stairs, which help with the ascent/descent. The hillsides are well-manicured, but as with any trail excursion, watch your step. There are many fallen trees across Steep Ravine. Rocky areas are few; I wore the Five Finger shoes (i.e., flats), and had no trouble navigating the terrain in them. Bring a jacket (and gloves), just in case, as the wind can be vicious on the hills. Even on sunny days the temperature drop feels considerable once you're back in the shade. Take the dizzying ride back on Hwy 1 and refuel at Tony Tutto Pizza in Mill Valley. Your body will thank you.

I was lucky enough I was walking down Steep Ravine because if I were walking up, I would be weighed down by my cumbersome backpacking backpack. That was when I first visited the Steep Ravine trail which was in 2012. I have been hiking throughout Marin since I was five but this was the first time my footsteps would mark the Steep Ravine canyon. It was less steep at the bottom since I came down via the Dipsea trail, not the upper part of the Steep Ravine trail which is supposed to be extra steep and is where there's a ladder for climbing down the trail. I was happy it was a bit slower because my backpack's weight was pretty annoying. We took a turn to the right, went up a bit and cheered when we saw Stinson Beach just a bit further from us. I quickly learned that the walk from Steep Ravine to Stinson along the Dipsea trail is much longer than it looks and has more descents than you may think. The views however, are quite spectacular! It was not foggy out so I saw Stinson and the lack of people on it (this hike was in the winter,) but felt excited to be getting closer to my goal. Now onto the other half of the loop. I've been on the Matt Davis trail once before. It was in 2007 when I went along with some not so intrepid hikers. This time though, we were in the fog and once we started descending, it was into the steep canyon filled with Douglas Firs. I was not weighed down my backpack although one of my fellow hikers was. He had brought along a backpack on wheels and in it he had a Dictionary. Yes, a Dictionary, not food or even a hiking book. This hike was a bit more free wheeling though, we jumped up to reach logs, we ran down the trail at parts and played football once we hit the beach. We also stopped at Table Rock and could have been more careful about rattlesnakes because apparently they love the rock. Overall, the Matt Davis Steep Ravine loop is a bit steep but pretty scenic. Make sure to get ready for a long day and bring those hiking shoes! It's a fun trail.

What a lovely hiking loop! I would say this loop be easy to moderate. Any hiking noob would enjoy it no doubt! It's not too steep but it's not straight up flat either so prepare for some burn to yo glutes, quads, and calves. Although I really enjoyed the Matt Davis-steep ravine loop, finding it was quite a challenge! Best idea is to drive to Stinson beach. I made the mistake of navigating directly by clicking from the address on this Yelp page (I know, I'm a noob). It took us to the middle of a very windy road in the mountain along the coast. I get motion sickness easily, especially car sick. And low and behold, I got car sick from those very sharp turns! My friend and I almost gave up and turned back around but I am very glad we kept continuing the road to a small town called Stinson beach. We had read a guide on how to find the start of the trail online the night before but neither of us actually studied it. Ya know what I mean? We really just skimmed it which was another bad idea because we were lost as hell. Anyway, we parked near a park at Stinson beach to figure out where the hell were we gonna get our hike on. I had screenshot the directions beforehand and so, I pulled it up on my phone to check. The website was on bahiker.com (pretty sure other yelpers have also cited this source. It's very useful). It mentioned the start being behind a fire station. We remembered driving past one before making our way to the park so we decided to walk towards that way and go from there. If you google this loop, you'll for sure find this awesome guide but here is my not-so-detailed directions. I strongly recommend you refer to the original guide. Walk past the fire station, up to the do not enter sign. Don't feel like a bad ass for entering it. It's actually telling cars not to enter. Head to the right after and bam! You'll be right at the foot of the Matt Davis loop. The trail is pretty obvious from there. Most of this trail will be in the redwoods along a creek. None of this part was really dangerous. Be prepared to cross over tiny streams of the creek though. You'll get sick of the woods. You might probably pray to be out of the woods. Oh, don't you worry. After seeing some woods ;) , Matt Davis will take you to some flatland consisting of plain green grass. This part doesn't last long. You'll be back in the wood right when you start to miss it. The trail eventually ends back at the ranger station, which is basically the home base where all the trails start/end (depending on where you begin). Take some time to unleash your inner beast at the bathrooms before making your way to the steep ravine & dip sea trail. Steep ravine trail was pretty fun. There is a ghetto ladder that you have to go down. And most of the trail is just downhill. The steep ravine trail transitions into the dip sea trail. The dip sea trail takes you along the coast. Breathe in that fresh sea salt air while you can. This trail eventually lead you to some street called the panoramic highway, about half a mile from the fire station. Just make your way to there by carefully walking on the side of the road in the bike lane. *note: this is where you feel like a bad ass. All in all, this loop was on point. Will come again once I miss those redwoods ;)

Best hike in the bay area in my opinion. Diverse ecosystems. Pine forests, fog, ferns, creeks, latters, bridges, Redwoods, open grass lands, and views. Here is some advice......start at stinson beach and go up the Matt Davis trail. It will take about 1 HR 45 min to pantoll ranger station. Fill up with water there at the half way mark and have lumch. Then about an 1.5 hours down steep ravine and dipsea to stinson beach. You will be happy you didn't go up steep ravine. And can enjoy it more going down.

This 6.8 mile loop is now one of my favorite hikes! I went early morning so weather was nice and crisp with the sun peeking through the trees. Gorgeous views of the beach as well as the green and luscious forest! I don't think I pictures do it justice. I wouldn't say this hike is very strenuous, but it can take a while depending on how many rest, snack, and picture breaks you take. Bring lots of water!

I would say that this is THE hike in the Bay Area, I kid you not! Would much rather recommend this hike over Alamere Falls, and it is way less crowded from my experience. You get different types of terrain (incline/straight away, redwoods, rolling hills, open fields, streams) and since it is a loop, you don't see the same thing twice, which makes for a better experience. -Stock up on supplies at the Stinson Beach Market before you head out. -Bring a lot of water, but about halfway through the loop, you pass the Ranger Station where you can fill up at the water fountain/use restrooms -You may lose reception so if you're following the guide online, make sure you screenshot the directions. -Stinson Beach is a block away from the entrance to the trail. I would save this for the end of your hike to lay in the sand, relax and take in the ocean. There are also sweet little restaurants with lots of outdoor seating you can grab a drink at.

Grueling hike with a gorgeous view. This is a must if you are in the Bay Area. Reminds you why you pay so much to live there!

Hands down the best hike I've been on in a LONG time. Have you seen the scenery in Avatar? 'Nuff said! Hike it! You won't regret it.

8 Steps to a Perfect Day: 1) Drive up Mt. Tam. 2) Park in the lot at the Pantoll Ranger Station. 3) Put on your sunscreen, and bring a sweatshirt (the fields at the top provide no shade, while the forests get chilly as you descend). 4) Walk the Matt Davis trail down to Stinson. (Don't worry. It's a "Steep Ravine," but it's a series of switchbacks, so you won't have to scoot down any hills on your butt.) 5) Get a soft serve cone at the snak shak by the beach. I bet you don't eat those enough. 6) Walk along the ocean for a while. Take a nap on the beach. Pet someone else's dog. 7) Pee while you're at Stinson.* 8) Walk back up. ____________________ *DO NOT SKIP STEP 7!!! Pee while you're down there, unless you're unafraid of dropping trou in a port-a-potty full of yellow jackets who want to chomp your bare netherparts.

This is probably my favorite hike around the Bay Area. It's got great views, the scenery changes through out the loop. You'll go through the shaded side of the hill beneath the trees, to a section of a golden hill, walk by small waterfalls, and through the redwoods and ferns. If you go on a pretty steady and easy pace, with a good amount of stops, it'll take you about 4 to 5 hours. I used http://bahiker.com/northbayhikes/stinson.html as a guide for this hike.

HIKE: 7.3 mile loop, Matt Davis-Steep Ravine Loop (Stinson Beach Trailhead) DIRECTIONS: The hike starts just behind the Stinson Beach Fire Station so put the following address in your GPS: 32 Belvedere Ave, Stinson Beach, CA 94970. There is a small parking area to the side of the fire station, enough for about 10-15 cars. If you can't find parking in the lot then there is plenty of parking along the beach area. The hike took us about 3.5 hours to complete. The first 1.5 miles were strenuous b/c you are going uphill and there are numerous wooden stairs. On the positive, it was a killer upper thigh workout. After the first 1.5 miles the rest of the hike was a breeze. You see redwoods, creeks, waterfalls, the ocean and all kinds of beautiful birds and flowers. Absolutely beautiful hike. The best part is you can sit and watch the sunset on the beach after the hike! TIPS: 1. Location to put into your GPS: 32 Belvedere Ave, Stinson Beach, CA 94970 2. Hike takes about 3.5 hours 3. If you want to watch the sunset after the hike make sure to start the hike around 3 pm in the summer and then you can walk over to Stinson Beach to watch the sunset. 4. Bring 2-3 bottles of water per person 5. Bring healthy snacks: fruit, nuts, bars 6. Bring hand sanitizer and a bit of toilet paper in case nature calls. For information you can refer to the Bay Area Hiker website: http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/stinson.html

What a beautiful hike. Definitely one of my favorites in the Bay Area so far. First don't let the comments about the difficulty of the hike stop you. It really isn't bad at all. Yes, the hike is a bit steep in the beginning but as long as you are not pressed on time and have water you will be totally fine. We were a group of people of average fitness and we finished the hike in under 4 hours taking our time. As other people mentioned, the beauty of the hike is in the diversity of the scenery. Start on the Belvedere side of the hike (enter 20 Belvedere Avenue in your GPS), there is parking there. The hike begins by what will be the steepest hill in the redwoods. Really pretty and temperate weather because you are in the shade. You then exit the canopy and start on what was my favorite part of the hike, beautiful grass meadows with incredible ocean vistas. Be sure to stop at one of the look out point shortly before you re-enter the canopy. The vista is amazing, on the left you can see San Francisco and the GG bridge, on the right Stinson Beach. Finally you re-enter the canopy, and walk another 1.5miles until you hit the Ranger station. Great place to go to the bathroom and refill water bottles. The last part which is the one that earns the hike it's steep ravine loop is an intense downhill hike. I should mention here that there are a couple of spots that require climbing down some sort of ladder, so you should know that might be challenging for you. The downhill is pretty hard on the knees, but you are rewarded with beautiful scenery, with lots of small waterfalls and a jungle like setting. The last part is incredibly rewarding as you exit the canopy and walk a final stretch towards the beach. As other reviewers have mentioned it, if you can time it right, this probably has some incredible sunsets. Overall this was a great hike that I'm happy to report was less challenging than what I had feared.

My quads are on fire... and my butt is not far behind. Towering redwoods, rushing creek, breaths of fresh air. Take it in. Stop for just a second. Really stop and look around. Listen and just be where you are, in that moment. Sounds a little zen but this is indeed a most fabulous place, even better in the off-season when the trail is quiet. Steep Ravine loop is not for the faint of heart, or rather, those with a faint heart (or lungs). It's a solid work out. Recommended: Start at Stinson Beach and find the end of the Dipsea Trail at the end of Arenal Street. Climb up Dipsea until you veer left onto Steep Ravine which you climb for approx 3 miles to Pantoll Ranger Station. At a run/jog, this is a steep 45 min climb. A quick hike will set you back 1.5-2 hours uphill. The loop continues, flat and then downhill, following the Coastal/Matt Davis Trail through the forest, then exposed on a grassy ridge, then descending switchbacks through the forest again. The whole loop is about 7 miles and you should allot 3+ hours. Climbing Steep Ravine is challenging but rewarding. Steep steps and bumpy trail but gorgeous lush surroundings. Continuing down Matt Davis/Coastal affords you views of the ocean (sunset perhaps) and on a clear day, of the Farallon Islands. Pantoll Station at the halfway point has water, bathrooms and maps. Far and away, a favorite Bay Area hike that's a winner with anyone I've ever taken there. Escape and enjoy.

I am pretty new to the Bay Area so this was my first time exploring Marin. I don't like to travel far outside the few mile radius of SF or pay any tolls to exit the city, but it was finally time to venture out. After plenty of research and people raving about this place, I finally decided to trek all the way here for my first hike in Marin. Here is a good address for the GPS: Stinson beach Fire Station 32 Belvedere Ave, Stinson Beach, CA 94970. It takes nearly 50 minutes to get here from the city. The last thirty minutes is a one lane, windy road all the way to Stinson beach. It can get a bit scary winding up especially trying to past the bikers. When you get there, plenty of room to park on the roads nearby or the parking lot near the beach. No fee! The Matt Davis trail is on Belvedere. The entrance is on the side of the fire station across from the bed and breakfast hotel. The trail is spacious, very well kept and easy to follow. The scenery is so beautiful. It's nice to get away and be in nature! The first two miles are pretty deadly. Mostly incline with lots of stairs. The trail levels out for the next two miles. The trail is mostly shady except for a few stints in the open sunny grassland (meadow?). Four miles in, you'll finally make it to the Pan Toll Ranger campground. Perfect time to take a bathroom break. The trail continues across from the bathroom at the Dipsea/Steep Ravine trail. From there it is supposed to be 2.6 miles (lies!) to Stinson beach. One mile in you will see the infamous 10 ft ladder. There's plenty of photo opportunities throughout the trail. Huge branches to climb above, trees to walk through and small streams throughout the trail. There are lots of tree trunks to climb under, bridges to cross, stairs to climb and rocks to jump over to really keep the trail entertaining and fun. The second half of the trail is mostly downhill. So here we are over six miles in and super excited that we are wrapping up the trail. Not! We see signs that we are still 1.4 miles away. What?! Eight miles later, we finally make it back. Wow! I was feeling pretty beat but so proud that we hiked for so long. I'd say the hike is between 7.5-8 miles long depending on where you parked. Prior to this hike, I had never hiked more than 4 miles in total. I'd say it is a moderate hike and doable if you're at least some what active. I think I wouldn't have made it if this was my first few times hiking. I do have to say my body was tired and sore the next day. Alternatively, you can start the loop the opposite way. Rather than starting at Matt Davis, you can start at the Dipsea trail which is on the 1 route on the side of the fire station. I'd say going this way might be slightly less challenging which could be a great thing. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to stop by after to eat up all the calories you just burned. We stopped by the beach for a bit to relax, stretch and have some snacks. Overall, this was such a fun and challenging hike! I would definitely recommend this hike to anyone who loves a good workout, fresh air and beautiful scenery.

I don't know the difference between this review or the one named Steep Ravine. So I just copy and pasted my review from the other one here as well.. same place. Um wow! Absolutely beautiful. Came here over the weekend with my trainer and his 6 week new you challenge group and his crazy ass wants to speed through. haha I enjoy staring and taking photos of nature's beauty. So I was totally in the back of the line and looking like a straight Asian taking hella photos.. Then would have to run to catch up! hahah Such a beautiful hike.. Everywhere I looked there was something to look at.... mini streams, waterfalls, stone steps, wood steps (which are slippery so BE CAREFUL with your footing), twisted steps... tons of trails to lightly jog if you like......walls and steps covered in moss and fern peaking out every little corner. Fallen Tree stumps everywhere where you have to maneuver under... tons of brides to cross. Up and up and up you go....literally felt like fairy land. I absolutely loved this one. I think the total hike is around 9 miles? It ends up to Stinson beach. Where you can lounge around. There's a cute little town where you walk through before you hit the beach. Buy food and chill or buy food and go sit on the beach. Instead of going back to the trail. (which I may do that next time I go) we walked to our car which was a little over a mile away and near the two lane highway... slightly scary walking near all that lol. BUT also very pretty to see the coast. All in all, great hike. difficulty? I say a 2-3 out of 5. But then again I have what's called Asthmatic Bronchitis .....so I kind of wheeze while I walk up lol. YES I had my inhaler .... so those who think they can't make it... you can... just go slow and listen to your body......... I will definitely come back again!

One of my favorite hikes within the bay area and well known amongst sf hikers (if you type in "best hikes in the bay area," this will readily come up) 1600 feet of elevation, 7.3 miles roundtrip. You can start at the Pan Toll Station or at the Stinson Beach Firehouse. Pan Toll means you'd descend first half then climb 2nd half. I personally like starting at Stinson in the morning and then hiking down steep ravine in the shade for the 2nd half. However, if you start at Pantoll, you can stop halfway at stinson and eat lunch which is nice. My favorite: Starting at Stinson, head up Matt Davis that winds up switchbacks that gives you a view of the ocean for much of it. watch out for poison oak, which is moderate in this area. You reach 1500 feet or so in a little over 2 miles, which means its moderately steep. Levels out and lets you traverse the ocean side of Mt Tam that is filled with grainy brown fields, blue skies and ocean, and green trees. The deepness of each color is startling. You reach the pantoll station and bear right. Follow signs for Steep Ravine. Steep Ravine allows you to walk alongside a river that runs through a Coastal Red Wood grove. As the name suggests, Steep Ravine is a little narrow and has a ladder at one portion and so is NOT recommended for baby strollers and/or wheelchairs. That said, the cool shaded air + giant trees + logs to walk over and under, ladders to climb down, and water to dip your feet in, accumulate to really make you feel like you're on a less-than well-traveled trail. This loop, like maybe no other, will give you that "only in california" dreamy sensation. The moderate length and difficulty also makes this hike perfect to do with any moderately in-shape visitors.

By far, one of the most scenic & fun hikes we've done. Even better, we were able to hike it on a crystal clear sunny day, so we were able to soak in the beauty this place has to offer. You get a little bit of everything on this hike. You get the beautiful scenery along the pacific coast, along with the forest/trees, terrain, jungle, gravel, bridges, stairs/ladders, mini waterfalls, shade as well as open fields. Just forewarning...there are mountain lions and rattle snakes, but lucky for us, we didn't encounter any. Signs are posted for your safety. This trail was very well maintained/groomed & hiker friendly, and i didn't see one piece of litter, which is awesome. Pack a light camel back and bring some snacks with you. I would park at stinson beach, or at the lot next to the community center/fire station, as that is where you will end up, and you can chill at the beach and have a picnic afterwards!

Best is to start at Stinson, up Matt Davis, to Pantoll Station, then down Steep Ravine, to Dipsea Trail. Great views, lots of green, a ladder to climb, and bathrooms at Pantoll Station. 7.3 Miles 1600 Feet of Elevation Our experience: 45 people hike started at 11am 3.5 hours to complete 40 minute drive to Tomales Bay Oyster Farm Shucked Oysters until we were throwing up All of the above = Good Times

I first read about this loop on bahiker.com, which is a great hiking resource. If you want to maximize your enjoyment of the hike, start at Stinson Beach, not up at Pantoll Ranger station on Mt. Tam. That way, you'll end up at Stinson again and can enjoy a beer or a meal more fully when you've finally finished. Here's where I differ from the previous review, by Alissa A. To get the best views of the ocean, Farallons and possibly a sunset, go up the mountain on the Matt Davis trail, not the Dipsea/Steep Ravine trail. Having hiked this loop 4-5 times, starting at several places, you'll have better views coming down the mountain on this route. While you're going up the mountain, keep in mind the opportunity for a little break/picnic on Table Rock. You'll reach it on the way up after roughly 1/2 of the vertical climb and 1/3 the overall distance of the Matt Davis trail. Be aware that parking in Stinson Beach can be difficult near the Matt Davis trailhead, so the big parking lots at the beach could be your best option, especially during the summer. You'll add an extra 1/4 mile each way on the hike but the walks are flat.

Fantastic hike! You park at Stinson beach and then walk up to the fire station and walk up that block and there is a little draw bridge where the trail starts. Lots of stairs and little bridges and streams and beautiful greenery and flowers on the path. Great look put points too! 6.5-6.8 miles.

I have mixed feelings about this trail. We hiked it just yesterday, and I can't lie, it was gorgeous. Great views of Stinson, San Francisco, and Pacifica (? - somewhere pretty & adjacent to the ocean). Make sure to pack some water, some snacks for what can turn into a lovely 4 hour (plus or minus) hike and possibly a first aid kit (including tweezers).. 15 minutes into the hike, while walking on a sunny part of the trail, we spotted a rattlesnake hanging out in the sun in the middle of the trail. Actually, she did. Thank god she was leading, because I would've stepped on it and ended the fun. After deciding to turn back [how urban are we? =( ] we encountered a gentleman who explained it was probably just getting some sun and gone by now. We followed him, cautiously, and sure enough it was gone. After another hour or so of beautiful sights and sounds we decided to have a seat and enjoy our lunch, slightly off the main trail-while not trailblazing-on a nice little gathering of rocks overlooking Stinson. After pulling out the sandwiches in my backpack we heard what sounded remarkably similar to a creaking door opening. Within a second we: 1. looked down [and no more than a foot from our asses-literally] 2.saw a coiled rattlesnake (yes, another one) rattling, 3. jumped up and 4. were 10 feet away. A little shook up, we were safe. As the snake receded into the rock crevices I promptly grabbed our backpacks and shirts/hoodies (she DID manage to have all the food in her hands still, what a doll, we were famished) and we decided stopping wasn't in our best interest anymore. After seeing our original rattlesnake information supplier walking some hundred yards ahead of us (we had passed him sometime back) we headed back into the forest. Right before doing so she felt something on her underarm, biting. Oh yes, a[n adult female] tick was lodging itself under the sports bra under her arm. Somehow i managed to grab, pull, and, with a little fight, rip the tick out of her ...head and all. Luckily it hadn't been there long enough for its body to detach. Then we reached Pantoll station. The hike down steep ravine was amazing. Lots of ferns, redwoods and firs. No ticks, rattlesnakes or any other creatures. Upon hitting the final clearing a vulture decided to scare the living shit out of [urban ass] me by swooping down 10 feet above her head as i took a picture of her with Stinson in the backdrop. I know vultures are scavengers, but after all the other encounters of the day, i was a little freaked out. Also saw lots of lizards and quails. NO MOUNTAIN LIONS THOUGH! oh, yeah, I'm not taking off a star because the shit we "went through," but because we didn't see any signs warning of mountain lions or rattlesnakes (or even ticks) until we reached Pantoll. Even then, the signs were warning those headed down Matt Davis to Stinson. We had started at Stinson, just behind the fire station. I had a shit load of fun, saw some amazing flora&fauna and some great views of the bay area/coast. Even as someone who's been hiking since I was 4, I was amazed at the amount of 'intimacy' I experienced with nature. It was awesome. Not that I haven't always, but I gained more respect for nature and all of its inhabitants. I'd recommend NOT bringing kids, and not traveling alone. I'm sure our experience was more lively than most people's, but jeebus forbid a kid was running [walking, or even sitting] around those snakes, could be sad.

I absolutely love this hike! I have done it with my family, my boyfriend, and friends and I never get sick of it. My mom never wants to do the full hike, but she will go maybe 1.5 miles in and turn around and she still loves it. The full hike is about 6.5 miles and it normally takes us close to three hours to finish it. We enjoy the hike though and seem to stop for a bunch of pictures. About midway through the hike you end up at a campsite where there is a public restroom that you can use (no soap though). After the campsite, you turn around but go back a different route. One of my favorite things about this hike is the changing scenery. You start off going up a beautiful golden hill with a nice bath overlooking the ocean. Always have to stop and turn around and normally take some pictures here. Then it looks like you are going to walk into the forest from the Princess Bride. When you get inside, it is absolutely beautiful with moss and ferns growing everywhere. You will feel a need to stop and take more pictures. You go up a fairly steep walk (elevation gain of about 1,900 ft) for a couple of miles through the forest until you get to the campsite. There is a good train, but a lot of roots that you walk over and good shoes should be worn. After the campsite, you curve back down around going through another forest that looks different than the other. We always talk about how easy a mountain lion could get us because they can just pounce right down on us. We don't really see too many people when we are walking this part and you want to make sure that you don't get stuck here when it is dark. I know from experience that it is pretty scary. Then you come to some beautiful rolling hills overlooking the ocean. Again, you will want to bust out the camera. After the hills, you go back into the forest and weave down. The views and vegetation on this hike are amazing and it is a good workout. Love it! You end up right about the same spot that you started over by Stinson Beach. We often stop and say hello to the ocean before we head home. Now I want to go hiking!

I haven't gone on a hike in maybe 7 years or so nor am I a fitness buff, but I sure as hell kicked ass on this hike! Instead of starting on the Matt Davis end first, my group and I started off with the Dipsea trail which led us to the Steep Ravine and then the Matt Davis trail. We started around 1pm and finished at 5:30 or so. The Steep Ravine part of the hike was my absolute favorite! Something about being in the forest with the tall, lush redwoods takes you away to a different world. The trail has a lot of shade so it's very cool, thank goodness! There are parts that are very rocky and there is also a 10 ft. ladder, and a lot of incline or decline depending on where you start off. The Matt Davis part was sunnier and the scenery is different from that of the Steep Ravine. Since we started off at the Dipsea trail by the time we got to the Matt Davis trail we were in a more weed-like area than the forest. As we started descending it led us into the forest, then out of the forest, back in the forest, and this repeated for a few more loops until we were completely immersed in the forest/woodland. The Matt Davis is a lot easier than the Steep Ravine since the trail isn't as steep and the pathways are more carved out. Watch out for a sign that says "Table Rock" near the mid-part of the trail because it leads you to a rock that overlooks Stinson Beach! Definitely wear sunblock and bring: bug repellent, water or gatorade, and a light meal! There were benches near the Pantoll Ranger Station- the mid-section between the Matt Davis trail and Steep Ravine- so we had somewhere to sit for lunch. Wear good running/hiking shoes! Also there are parts that are very muddy, so be prepare to get dirty. We saw a warning sign for mountain lions and rattlesnakes, but thankfully we didn't run into any.

We did this hike today, and found it very challenging. I'm a moderately active hiker that has hiked mt tam many times, Steep ravine dipsea loop, cataract, and a number of other loops but we had more te today and thought we would try this. Despite being pretty fit, it took us 5.5 hours to complete. There are a lot of stairs, and unfortunately I injured my knee on the trail heading down steep ravine, and ended up limping all the way back, abt 3 miles. I definitely recommend starting at Stinson beach and taking the Matt Davis trail up and the steep ravine/dipsea back down. Don't think I'd have made it up all those stairs had I hiked down first ;) probably won't be doing this hike again soon, I like to take my time and hike about 5 miles at a time, so this was a challenge, although a welcome one ;)

Just do it. It'll take 3-4 hours (depending if you stop for a lunch break) and you'll go through various landscapes in the short amount of time. Don't veer off the trail because there's poison oak. Start early so you don't need to deal with the traffic from Stinson Beach. We started the trail at 9a and had no trouble with traffic or finding parking. The trail head begins just past the Stinson Beach Fire Station and the church/community center. I was nervous that the trailhead would be poorly marked, but it's super easy to find on Belvedere Ave. The half way point of the hike is Pantoll Station, where my friend and I stopped for lunch. The second half of the hike is my favorite - downhill and redwoods - you seriously can't go wrong.