TrailStompers.com: San Francisco Bay Area Trail Running

Simply stated, Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the most beautiful and varied places in California!  The eastern side of the park is characterized by densely wooded hillsides leading down to a valley, through which the San Andreas Fault runs.  The western side is completely different, with grassy slopes leading down to sheer cliffs that drop directly into the Pacific Ocean.  The trails in the park are well-maintained and great for running.  Some of the park highlights include the Mt. Wittenberg summit (at 1407'), Alamere Falls (a 40' falls dropping directly to the beach), Arch Rock, Tomales Bay, and the Tule Elk Reserve.  There are also several campgrounds in the park.

The runs on the page start from either the main Bear Valley Visitor Center off of Bear Valley Road, or the Palomarin trailhead at the end of Mesa Road near Bolinas.

The Dirt:

• For the official park website click here.
• For links to various trail maps of the park click here.  For the runs on this page, you should print out the South District Trail Map.
• For directions to the main Bear Valley Visitor Center via Google Maps, click here.
• For directions to the Palomarin trailhead, click here.

Extras:

• The only water available in the park is at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. 
  

This run is an easy out-and-back to the coast and the unique Arch Rock.  A stream actually flows through the arch which is cut through a section of the cliff.  The run is on the wide Bear Valley Trail, which climbs gradually to a few hundred feet at the midpoint between the trailhead and the ocean. 

This run starts from the Bear Valley Visitor Center.  From the parking area, head towards the hills along the Bear Valley Trail.

• 0.0 mi: Start along the Bear Valley Trail.  You will stay on this trail for the next 4 miles, all of the way to the coast.
• 4.0 mi: When you pass the Coast Trail, keep going straight ahead on the narrow trail toward Arch Rock. 
  
• 4.1 mi: At the coast.  To actually see the arch, you have to climb down to the left, just before the overlook (the trail will be obvious!).  When you're done, turn around and retrace your steps back to the car!
  

This run is a spectacular loop that takes you from the dense inland forests to the dramatic coastline, and then over Mount Wittenberg.  At 1407', Mount Wittenberg is the highest point in the park.  Because the peak is completely tree covered, there is no view from the actual summit.  But, there are spectacular ocean views as you climb that make it all worth the effort!

Just like the previous run, this run also starts from the Bear Valley Visitor Center along the Bear Valley Trail.  The first 4 miles along the Bear Valley Trail are a good warm-up for the moderate climb ahead!

• 0.0 mi: Start along the Bear Valley Trail.  You will stay on this trail for the next 4 miles, all of the way to the coast.
• 4.0 mi: Turn right on the Coast Trail (Note: If you want, you can take a side trip out to Arch Rock and back.  It's only about 0.2 miles round trip!)
• 4.5 mi: Turn right onto Sky Trail and start climbing!
• 6.0 mi: Pass Baldy Trail on your right.  Stay on the Sky Trail.
• 7.3 mi: Pass Old Pine Trail on your right.  Stay on the Sky Trail. 
  
• 7.6 mi: Pass the Woodward Valley Trail on your left.  Stay on the Sky Trail.
• 8.4 mi: Just after the Meadow Trail junction, turn right onto the Mount Wittenberg Trail.
• 8.8 mi: At the high point!  (Note: If you want, take the small spur trail to the actual summit.  There's no view, but you can get to the actual high point!).  Stay on the Mount Wittenberg Trail and start descending.
  
• 10.6 mi: Trail ends.  Turn left on the Bear Valley Trail toward the Visitor Center.
• 10.8 mi: Back at the car!
  

This run takes you along the dramatic coastline that makes Point Reyes such a spectacular place.  The unique feature of this run is a trip to Alamere Falls, which is a 40' falls that drops directly to beach.  The falls runs all year, although it is much stronger in the early spring.  This run is mostly gently rolling along the Coast Trail, with a few moderate but very short climbs thrown in.

This run starts at the Palomarin trailhead, at the end of Mesa Road near Bolinas.  Keep in mind that the last couple of miles of Mesa Road are dirt.  The road is perfectly fine for any type of car, but your car will get dusty!  To begin the run, start out along the Coast Trail near the bathrooms.

• 0.0 mi: Start out along the Coast Trail.
• 2.2 mi: Pass Lake Ranch Trail on your right.  Stay on the Coast Trail.
• 2.8 mi: Pass Bass Lake on your left.
  
• 3.9 mi: Turn left on the very narrow trail toward Alamere Falls.  (Note: This trail is very difficult to see, so keep a sharp eye out.  Also, there is a lot of poison oak along this trail so be careful!)
• 4.1 mi: At this point, you have to carefully make your way down some washed-out cliffs.  Slide down carefully to get to the upper cascades and the top of the falls.
• 4.2 mi: At the top of the falls!  If you want to head down to the beach, cross over the stream about 50' before it goes over the cliff, and find the trail on the other side that winds steeply down the cliff to the beach.  When you're done, retrace your steps back to the car!!