Ninja Loop

Running Route

Moderate

11.55 mi

2,266 ft

This loop through the Marin Headlands starts at the parking lot on the northwest side of the Golden Gate Bridge off of Conzelman Road, providing the most convenient access point from San Francisco. The tradition of the Ninja Loop goes back several years ago when a couple of ultra running friends decided to squeeze in a trail run in the wee hours of the morning before work. If you want to start your run at 5:30 am like a true ninja, be sure to bring a headlamp. You will earn your breakfast as you log over 2,000 feet of climbing including two epic climbs on the Miwok and Marincello trails. The early wake-up will ultimately pay off as you crest the final ridge and witness a breathtaking sunrise over San Francisco. There isn't a restroom or drinking fountain at the trailhead so come prepared. You will find outhouses (no water) along the trail at the intersection of McCullough Road and the Coastal Trail and then again at the end of the Old Springs Trail in Tennessee Valley.

Created By

Gary Wong

November 11, 2013·Public

Route and Elevation

Segments

Name	Distance	Elev. Diff.	Avg. Grade
GGB to Coastal Trail Peak	1.42 mi	564 ft	7.5%
Ninja Loop - Rerouted	11.62 mi	-869 ft	-0.0%
GGB to Tennessee Valley	6.45 mi	-761 ft	-0.0%
GGB to Rodeo Valley	3.20 mi	-686 ft	-0.7%
Coastal Trail (GGB to Slacker Ridge)	1.27 mi	561 ft	8.3%
Coastal Trail (GGB to SCA)	1.09 mi	433 ft	7.4%
bridge parking lot to bunker via coastal 3.2 mile	3.20 mi	-692 ft	-0.7%
Bridge to SCA Climb	0.79 mi	381 ft	8.4%
Coastal Trail Parking Lot to Conzelman Rd.	0.16 mi	92 ft	10.6%
Coastal to SCA	0.87 mi	338 ft	7.0%
SCA-Coastal Last (Last) Climb	0.17 mi	135 ft	14.3%
T-split left to top	0.23 mi	69 ft	4.8%
Coastal Downhill to Bunker	1.49 mi	-469 ft	-5.8%
Mile 3 of GGB Parking Lot to Bunker Road	0.96 mi	-312 ft	-6.1%
Rodeo Valley Transition	0.56 mi	-75 ft	-2.5%
Miwok Hill Climb (RV/Bobcat) to Old Springs	1.40 mi	633 ft	8.0%
Miwok 800m	0.51 mi	233 ft	8.5%
Rodeo Valley to Tennessee Valley	2.57 mi	623 ft	1.5%
Miwok to wolf ridge	1.21 mi	633 ft	9.8%
Miwok Trail (Bobcat to Old Springs)	1.38 mi	623 ft	8.1%
Bobcat -> Wolf Ridge (Ascent)	1.11 mi	574 ft	9.8%
Miwok Trail (Bobcat to Wolf Ridge)	1.11 mi	577 ft	9.8%
Miwok and Old Springs Trail (Wolf Ridge to Marincello)	1.59 mi	-449 ft	-4.7%
Old Springs Decent	1.20 mi	-400 ft	-6.3%
Old Springs Trail Descent	1.19 mi	-397 ft	-6.3%
Ninja Run Old Springs Decent	1.14 mi	-394 ft	-6.5%
Marincello Trail (Tennessee Valley to Bobcat)	1.44 mi	682 ft	8.9%
Marincello First 400	0.24 mi	141 ft	10.6%
Marincello (Tennessee Valley to Bobcat)	1.38 mi	666 ft	9.1%
Marincello -> Bobcat -> Alta -> SCA -> Coastal -> Conzelman Lot	5.08 mi	692 ft	0.1%
Tennessee Valley to Golden Gate Bridge	5.04 mi	676 ft	0.0%
Marincello 800m Hill Sprint (double white posts)	0.48 mi	253 ft	9.9%
Old Springs Trail Climb	0.33 mi	131 ft	7.4%
Old Springs Trail Climb	0.23 mi	151 ft	12.1%
Marincello Tr Climb	0.38 mi	138 ft	6.8%
Bobcat - Alta - SCA - Coastal - GGB	3.64 mi	-669 ft	-3.4%
Bobcat and Alta Trail (Marincello to Rodeo Valley Trail)	1.45 mi	207 ft	0.1%
Bobcat (Marincello to cutoff)	0.56 mi	-207 ft	-6.9%
Bobcat (Marincello to Alta)	0.73 mi	-180 ft	-3.7%
Alta (Bobcat to Morning Sun)	0.50 mi	157 ft	6.0%
SCA to Coastal Trail	1.06 mi	-223 ft	-3.8%
SCA - Dr. Seuss Sprint	0.63 mi	-98 ft	-2.7%
SCA to Coastal Trail	1.07 mi	-243 ft	-3.7%
SCA Golden Gate View Hill Detour	0.05 mi	75 ft	21.4%
Coastal Trail (SCA to GGB)	1.09 mi	-433 ft	-7.5%
Coastal Descent SCA to GGB	1.09 mi	-443 ft	-7.5%
Coastal Trail Downhill to Conzelman	0.92 mi	-335 ft	-6.9%
SCA to Conzelman Rd DH	0.86 mi	-322 ft	-7.0%
SCA Final Descent	0.17 mi	-85 ft	-9.1%