Past Two Weeks
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Marin Headlands
Running Route
Hard
8.43 mi
1,912 ft
The Marin Headlands boasts some of the most spectacular sights in the Bay Area. Those tenacious enough to run nearly 1,000 feet to the top of the Headlands will be rewarded with a panoramic view from the Farallon Islands in the Pacific to Mt. Diablo in the East Bay, as well as San Francisco and Pacifica beyond. The Headlands are excellent for running because the trails are well marked, making it hard to get lost, and there are many ways to modify your route to either extend or shorten your run. Be forewarned that the climbs here are no joke; many are a mile long and over 600 feet up. The highlight of this route is the section through Pirates Cove where the trail hugs low along the coastline and you can watch the waves crashing in against the rocks. Tennessee Valley is a great place to start because of its close proximity to the highway. There are restrooms here but no water so bring your own. Lots of local running and hiking groups like to meet here, so arrive early on the weekends to get a good parking spot. If you are in need of nutrition or gear for your run, the San Francisco Running Company is very close by on Shoreline Highway.
Route and Elevation
Segments
Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
---|---|---|---|
Tennessee Valley to Muir Beach via Pirates Cove | 3.73 mi | -492 ft | -0.6% |
Tennessee Valley (Miwok to Coastal) | 1.18 mi | -115 ft | -1.7% |
Chapparal Tr Climb | 0.20 mi | 207 ft | 18.9% |
Coastal (Tennessee Valley to Coastal Fire Road) | 2.15 mi | 453 ft | 2.6% |
Coastal (Tennessee Valley to Coyote Ridge) | 0.65 mi | 436 ft | 12.5% |
Coastal through Pirate's Cove Northbound | 1.42 mi | -400 ft | -1.8% |
Coastal (Coyote->Muir) Descent | 0.52 mi | -387 ft | -13.9% |
Middle Green Gulch to cut-off | 1.30 mi | 528 ft | 7.6% |
Middle Green Gulch Trail Climb | 0.23 mi | 161 ft | 12.9% |
Up Middle Green Gulch | 1.68 mi | 827 ft | 9.3% |
MGG gate to last hairpin | 0.24 mi | 171 ft | 12.9% |
MGG Up (cut the ends off) | 1.67 mi | 810 ft | 9.1% |
Coyote Ridge (Miwok Cut-off to Summit) | 0.32 mi | 79 ft | 4.6% |
Coyote Ridge (Summit to Miwok Cut-off) | 0.58 mi | -190 ft | -5.9% |
Miwok Shortcut (Eastbound) | 0.28 mi | -98 ft | -6.5% |
Miwok Descent to Tenn Valley | 0.87 mi | -509 ft | -10.2% |