HomeCaliforniaMill Valley › Canopy View to Lost Creek to Fern Creek Trails Loop

Canopy View to Lost Creek to Fern Creek Trails Loop

4.9 ★★★★★ 37 Google reviews · Running trail in Mill Valley, California · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
2 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Canopy View to Lost Creek to Fern Creek Trails Loop's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Mixed2 miLoopShadedScenicStroller / ADAHillyRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

What runners say about Canopy View to Lost Creek to Fern Creek Trails Loop

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (37 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“The trails are well-maintained and offer diverse scenery, from lush forests to serene creeks.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“If you go canopy hike first, you will end up by the fern creek that hike along the creek.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“The trails are well-maintained and offer diverse scenery, from lush forests to serene creeks.”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“It was easy trail a little bit confusing but beautiful though.”

This trail was very fun to walk. It won’t take too long and there is only one part that’s challenging if you’re not up to it.

★★★★★ — Mark , Jan 2023

Gorgeous trail with lots of steps, rocks, & tree roots descending down. Much cooler temp & darker once under the canopy of the tall trees but peaceful. The further down the more lush the trail became with streams, bridges, mushrooms, banana slugs, & a few butterflies.

★★★★★ — Rosanna , Jan 2025

Such amazing trails. 2.5 hrs of walk to do a view. You get to enjoy different views of red wood. The elevation change provides change in nature environment. Trails are well maintained. If you go canopy hike first, you will end up by the fern creek that hike along the creek. Really amazing trails.

★★★★★ — The , Jun 2023

It was easy trail a little bit confusing but beautiful though. When we reached the point where the tall threes were allowing the sun touch the ground we also could see some colorful flowers. There were a lot of people, might be better go sooner.

★★★★★ — Karin , Mar 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 37 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“The Canopy View to Lost Creek to Fern Creek Trails Loop is an absolute delight!”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 5 mentions

“The climb back out was a moderate challenging steep incline”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“Recommend buying a national park annual pass and reserving parking in advance.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“If you go canopy hike first, you will end up by the fern creek that hike along the creek.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“The trails are well-maintained and offer diverse scenery, from lush forests to serene creeks.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

“Gorgeous trail with lots of steps, rocks, & tree roots descending down.”

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🔁 Loop trail

“The Canopy View to Lost Creek to Fern Creek Trails Loop is an absolute delight!”

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🛣️ Paved surface

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🪵 Boardwalk

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🚻 Restrooms

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Canopy View to Lost Creek to Fern Creek Trails Loop

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • Loop distance2 mi back to where you parked
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitenps.gov
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find Canopy View to Lost Creek to Fern Creek Trails Loop

Main Trail, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Get directions

Running trails near Mill Valley

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.