Routes

A selection of our favorite rides.

Gravel

3 Witches

The definitive Headlands dirt loop

  • 26.5Miles
  • 4,414Ft climbing
  • GravelRide type

The 3 witches are the rather steep gravel climbs in the Headlands on your way to Mt. Tam. This route goes over all three, then turns right back around and goes back up and down them on new trails. It is still up for debate if this route is more fun on a gravel bike or mountain bike, but either works if you have enough gearing.

Road

City Road Loop

The Friday city loop, road edition

  • 23.2Miles
  • 1,776Ft climbing
  • RoadRide type

The best recovery day ride. So much to see in a relatively short loop.

  • Head north to Pt. Reyes Station via highway 1. Usually this is pretty quiet, but on nice weekends you may get a bit more traffic than expected.
Road

For when you don't want to descend

For when you don't want to descend

  • 79.2Miles
  • 5,740Ft climbing
  • RoadRide type

This route is ideal for long Z2 days where you want keep pressure on the pedals for the whole ride and minimize descending.

MTB

Marin Headlands MTB

The steepest trails in the Headlands

  • 17.8Miles
  • 3,860Ft climbing
  • MTBRide type

These two unmarked trails are the steepest trails we have found in the Headlands. They have proper features like two successive steep chutes, jumps, and loamy steeps.

Gravel

lagunitas gravel

A long day in West Marin

  • 63.2Miles
  • 7,050Ft climbing
  • GravelRide type

Steep climbs, big rocks, and one-of-a-kind views define this ride. If you want to feel truly out there, these are the trails for you.

Road

Paradise Perfected

The go-to minimal elevation ride

  • 40.2Miles
  • 2,673Ft climbing
  • RoadRide type

One of the most popular routes in Marin, this particular version takes some of the lesser-known shortcuts and deviations on bike paths and through the ritziest of neighborhoods.

MTB

Mt. Tam Dirt

Tam, the hard way

  • 34.4Miles
  • 3,637Ft climbing
  • MTBRide type

Another route where it is unclear whether it is more fun on a gravel or mountain bike. The climb is on the constant 7% gradient Railroad Grade trail, taking you all the way up to East Peak. The descent is the much rockier Eldridge Grade trail. If I am on the gravel bike I often have to give my hands a break, so fair warning.

  • Start in the presidio, ambling through the trails until you reach the Richmond.
  • Climb up Sutro, trying not to put a foot down on the rock features.
  • At the top you'll be rewarded with a great view of the city.
  • Descend down through Laguna Honda, my favorite part of the ride. Keep an eye out for walkers, but if you catch the trail on a quiet day the turns are so flowy.
MTB

The Best MTB Ride in San Francisco

Rock garden, then the Laguna Honda flow

  • 14.6Miles
  • 1,679Ft climbing
  • MTBRide type

Almost every Friday, I do a city loop either on road or dirt. This is the dirt variation.