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Dipsea Trail Head
4.8 ★★★★★ 329 Google reviews · Running trail in Mill Valley, California · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 7.4 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Dipsea Trail Head'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.
What runners say about Dipsea Trail Head
“Pantoll campground has a great restroom, and walking from here through beautiful trees and a mellow hike to great ocean views was lovely.”
Hiked from Mill Valley trailhead > Stinson Beach trailhead. Trailhead starts in Old Mill Park, which conveniently had public toilet rooms and drinking fountains. There was also plenty of free street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. Note: the shuttle bus does not stop at Old Mill Park. Closest stop is about 0.
I started the Dipsea trail in Mill Valley. It starts with three sets of stairs that take you to the top of the hillside that makes Mill Valley a valley. It’s all stairs, so not technically challenging, but it’s a work out none the less.
This side of the dipsea trailhead is quite hard to find. You can park in the local parks or on the street. But to find the trail, you need to go through the neighborhood and climb up three very large sets of stairs. It is a very difficult start to the hike, so come prepared!
This is a beautiful trail! I started off at the library, which is surrounded by gorgeous redwoods. After checking out the grounds, I found my way to the first staircase that leads to many more throughout the neighborhood. I hiked out and back, up to Muir Woods, before turning back.
Trail conditions & character
“View from the top is spectacular, and you can then take trails from up there in multiple directions - including Stinson Beach and Muir Woods.”
“And - though it’s definitely a long route, you avoid the parking challenges at Muir Woods if you go there.”
“Just up the hill from traffic circle that the trailhead is right next to, there's usually parking available on a little gravel area right off the road.”
“That leaves hiking as the only reliable means of transportation back, which is problematic as a ~20 mile round trip is difficult on most people.”
“Shaded stair trail that leads to mountains rainforest with birds chirping n California wild flowers.”
“Pantoll campground has a great restroom, and walking from here through beautiful trees and a mellow hike to great ocean views was lovely.”
“Trailhead starts in Old Mill Park, which conveniently had public toilet rooms and drinking fountains.”
Plan your run at Dipsea Trail Head
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- Distance7.4 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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.
Old Mill Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 168 reviews
Pet-friendly greenspace featuring a creek, a playground and redwood trees.
Cascade Falls Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 420 reviews
Short walk through redwood trees along a creek to a cascading waterfall.
