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Dipsea Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · Running trail in Mill Valley, California · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Dipsea Trailhead yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. 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.

ScenicWater

What runners say about Dipsea Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (20 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

I went and hiked this trail on Sunday 10/8/2023. My hike started from the town of Mill Valley, (Old Mill Park), to Mount Tamalpais State Park, to Muir Woods National Monument, and finally down to Stinson Beach. But because I came back the same way & same distance, well… I did what you could call a "Double Dipsea" ...

★★★★★ — Tina , Oct 2023

Crazy cool hike. Starts off with a LOT of stairs through a neighborhood. Only hiked a mile or two. Was told that the trail goes all the way to the coast.

★★★★☆ — Brett , Aug 2022

I absolutely love hiking, and this trail was no exception. The views were stunning and the hike was very fun, without being too difficult. The whole dipsea trail area is great, however it starts off with about 700 stairs, so be prepared the best you can. Don't forget snacks!

★★★★★ — Aj , Jun 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 20 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 4 mentions

“The trail gives me a breathtaking view Pacific Ocean as a reward that makes the annual hike well worth the effort.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“This trial has a lot of water stations, and I recommend wearing good hiking shoes, bringing snacks, lunch, a hat/umbrella, and lots of sunscreen.”

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Plan your run at Dipsea Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadwater — reported by runners

Where to find Dipsea Trailhead

Dipsea 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.

Dipsea Trail Head

4.8 ★★★★★ 329 reviews

Mill Valley, CA

7.4 miShadedScenic

under a mile away

Old Mill Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 168 reviews

Mill Valley, CA

Scenic

Pet-friendly greenspace featuring a creek, a playground and redwood trees.

under a mile away

Canopy View to Lost Creek to Fern Creek Trails Loop

4.9 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

Mill Valley, CA

2 miLoopMixedShaded

under a mile away

Muir Woods Panoramic trail

5 ★★★★★ 38 reviews

Mill Valley, CA

Natural surfaceScenic

under a mile away

Cascade Falls Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 420 reviews

Mill Valley, CA

Scenic

Short walk through redwood trees along a creek to a cascading waterfall.

1.0 miles away

Muir Woods National Monument

4.8 ★★★★★ 20,544 reviews

Mill Valley, CA

1.8 miLoopMixedScenic

Scenic, forested park featuring giant redwood trees, long hiking trails, a visitor center & more.

1.1 miles away

All running trails in Mill Valley, CA →

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.