This hike has some serious climbing up and down hills, but the views from Pirates Cove Trail draw real crowds.
Location: Marin Headlands in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Length: 7.0 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Shade: mostly open
Parking: the lot at Tennessee Valley Trailhead, or along the road nearby
Public Transportation: none
WC: toilets at the parking lot
Dogs: not allowed on most trails, check the map for other trails that allow dogs in the Headlands
Hiked: Jun 2025
Trail Route
From the parking lot at Tennessee Valley, look for Miwok Trail, which is a little ways back from the main trailhead for Tennessee Valley Trail. Stay on Miwok Trail for about 2 miles, climbing up the hill, in and out of shade. Then hike Coyote Ridge Trail for 0.8 miles until Coastal Fire Road.
At Coastal Fire Road, go right towards Muir Beach for 0.9 miles. When you hit the fork in the trails, take a sharp left onto Pirates Cove Trail. Follow this for 1.5 miles, ending with a steep climb up the hill to Coastal Trail. Then it’s another 0.7 miles to Tennessee Valley Trail, where you’ll turn left to return to the trailhead and parking lot (another 1.2 miles).
Notes
This was a weird experience because the first half of the hike was so devoid of people that we saw not one, not two, but four rabbits! Then the second half was so busy!
The hike is almost entirely in the sun, apart from some parts of Miwok Trail at the beginning. So apply your sunscreen, put on your hat, and carry plenty of water.
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