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Steep Ravine - Matt Davis Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.8 (71)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Bay Area
  4. …Marin County
  5. Mount Tamalpais State Park
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“This awesome loop takes you up a redwood canyon and then down sunny slopes overlooking the Pacific. ”

Miguel Vieira
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Map Key

7.1

Miles

11.4

KM

Loop

1,583' 483 m

High

81' 25 m

Low

1,556' 474 m

Up

1,589' 484 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

30%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Overview

This tour of Mount Tam's western slopes takes you up a dark ravine filled with ancient redwoods which to grassy meadows with knock-out ocean views.

Description

Start this loop at the small parking lot on Panoramic Highway. If that parking is full, look for parking in town or at the large parking lot at Stinson Beach.

Take the Dipsea Trail east, heading first up a small but pretty canyon and then through coastal scrub with excellent views of the Pacific - look out for poison oak here. Cross a dirt road and continue to the intersection with the Steep Ravine Trail. Take the Steep Ravine Trail uphill, away from the ocean, through the surprisingly lush redwood canyon along Webb Creek. There are a few waterfalls here, and about halfway through, a particularly steep section of the trail has a ladder to climb. Continue on the Steep Ravine Trail as it climbs out of the canyon into a more open forest. The trail ends at Pantoll Ranger Station.

From Pantoll, cross Panoramic Highway, and find the Matt Davis Trail. Take the trail west (left). The trail enters the forest, but soon emerges onto a grassland that - on clear days - offers spectacular views of the Pacific. Stay on the Matt Davis Trail as it switchbacks through mixed evergreen forest down to the town of Stinson Beach.

The Matt Davis Trail deposits you on Belvedere Avenue. Take Belvedere Avenue left past the fire station, then turn left on Highway 1. Find the sign for the Dipsea Trail on the left side of the road and take the trail a short distance back to your car.

Contacts

Land Manager: California State Parks - Tamalpais State Park

Shared By:

Miguel Vieira
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 71 votes

#1

in Mount Tamalpais State Park

#77

Overall
  4.8 from 71 votes
5 Star
82%
4 Star
17%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
1%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Mount Tamalpais State…

#7

in California

#77

Overall
48 Views Last Month
26,119 Since Feb 27, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Bolinas and the Pacific Ocean, Farralon Islands in sunset. From Bare Knoll off of Matt Davis Trail.
Jan 3, 2019 near Bolinas, CA
Near the top of the Matt Davis climb in characteristic mist
Aug 25, 2017 near Bolinas, CA
Top of the switchbacks coming up from Stinson Beach on the Matt Davis Trail, just before Coastal Trail junction.
Jan 3, 2019 near Bolinas, CA
The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean on the Matt Davis Trail.
Feb 27, 2017 near Bolinas, CA
View from Bare Knoll towards the coast
Jul 23, 2017 near Bolinas, CA
Lost in a fog.
Jul 1, 2018 near Mill Va…, CA

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Aug 26, 2023
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Nov 13, 2022
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Oct 9, 2022
kaye sitterley
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Sep 4, 2022
Choco P
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Aug 14, 2022
Fanny Suárez
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