Gravel Cycling the Marin Headlands: Golden Gate Bridges, Hawk Hill & Coastal Trails
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
3–5 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate—comfortable with sustained climbs and 12–30 miles on mixed surfaces; good cardiovascular base helps.
Overview
Cross the Golden Gate by bike and trade the city skyline for wind-raked ridgelines. This guided gravel tour through the Marin Headlands pairs coastal views, historic batteries, and mixed-surface challenges with rental and mechanic support tailored to your skill level.
Gravel Cycling the Marin Headlands: Golden Gate Bridges, Hawk Hill & Coastal Trails
Select participants and date
You feel the bridge before you see it: the roadway hum under your tires, the Pacific wind pressing at your face as the San Francisco skyline tightens behind you. On two wheels, the span becomes a deliberate crossing—steel and salt—that deposits you into a landscape that still feels like an edge of the continent. Within minutes the city’s noise thins and gravel takes over, and the Headlands open into broad, wind-sculpted ridgelines with views of the bay, Mt. Tamalpais, and cliffs that dare you to keep pace.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Layer for wind
Bring a lightweight wind shell and an insulating mid-layer—the coastal wind can make warm mornings feel cold on exposed ridgelines.
Tire width and pressure
Use 35–45mm tires at moderate pressure to balance traction on loose gravel and comfort on rough fire roads.
Carry sealant or spare tube
A puncture kit with sealant or an extra tube speeds recovery on remote stretches where trail-side repairs are common.
Ride to the guide’s level
The route is customized—be honest about fitness and technical skills so the guide can match climbs and singletrack to your ability.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Mule deer
- Red-tailed hawk
History
The Headlands hosted coastal artillery and batteries from the late 19th century through WWII; later it became an early proving ground for mountain-bike pioneers.
Conservation
Trails cross fragile coastal scrub and marine terraces—stick to marked routes, pack out waste, and avoid disturbing nesting birds to minimize impact.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in San Francisco
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Gravel bike or hybrid with drop bars
Stable geometry and wider tires make long climbs and loose descents easier; rental coordination is available.
Helmet
Mandatory for safety on climbs, descents, and mixed-use trails.
Hydration pack or 2 water bottles
Carry 1–2 liters—hydration is critical on sun-exposed climbs and wind can mask dehydration.
summer specific
Light wind shell
Stops cooling from ocean wind on exposed ridge lines and during coastal fog.
spring specific