Hike away from the tourist paths through redwoods and up a gentle climb to Camp Alice Eastwood, then loop back down to the main Muir Woods trail.
Location: Muir Woods National Monument (and Mount Tamalpais State Park)
Length: 2.6 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Shade: shaded
Parking: Muir Woods entrance (reservation required, entrance to park $15/adult)
Public Transportation: Muir Woods shuttle from Mill Valley (reservation required)
WC: toilets at the Visitor Center and at Camp Alice Eastwood
Dogs: not allowed
Hiked: Feb 2021
Our Trail Route
We began at the main entrance to Muir Woods. From Redwood Creek Trail, we turned right onto Fern Creek Trail, which follows along a creek that actually had running water after some on-and-off rain.
On Fern Creek, just after passing the marker for Lost Trail, we did have to walk across one log and climb over a fallen tree. After those obstacles, the path began to climb up, but it wasn’t steep.
We continued straight onto Plevin Cut rather than heading through Camp Eastwood, then turned left onto Alice Eastwood Trail. That took us back to Redwood Creek Trail and back to the parking lot.
Notes
This is definitely a hike I’d recommend for visitors to Muir Woods. You’re always in the redwoods, and it’s far less strenuous than the Canopy View Trail to Lost Trail loop. The path does climb up but it’s very gradual. Camp Alice Eastwood also has picnic tables and a toilet with running water.
Gallery
Redwood Creek Trail 
Redwood Creek Trail 
Redwood Creek Trail 
We took Fern Creek trail and followed one of the suggested routes. 
Fern Creek Trail 
Here we took the bridge instead of the stairs. 
There are a few obstacles at this point, but it’s smooth going after. 
Fern Creek Trail 
There’s a fork here; we took the stairs, but I’m pretty sure the other trail loops around and joins again at the top of the steps. 
Left towards the camp. 
Fern Creek Trail 
Fern Creek Trail 
Fern Creek Trail 
Here we continued straight, but there’s a toilet at the camp to the right. 
Alice Eastwood Trail 
We continued straight down the steeper way, but I think the left turn here is just an easier descent. 
We went left here, following the signs for Muir Woods and Redwood Creek Trail. 
The other side of the sign here shows Alice Eastwood Trail going to the left. 
Alice Eastwood Trail 
Rejoining Redwood Creek Trail, it was an easy walk back to the entrance.
