Muddy Hollow and Estero Trail Loop

Much of this loop is in the open, but it has great views of the ocean.

This long loop is best hiked counter-clockwise to make the most of the ocean views, and you may see wildflowers and wild blackberries in springtime, and maybe even a herd or two of Tule elk.

Location: Point Reyes National Seashore
Length: 7.3 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Shade: mostly open
Parking: the small lot on Muddy Hollow Road (free)
Public Transportation: none
WC: none
Dogs: not allowed on trails

Link to park website

Hiked: Jun 2021

There was a herd of at least twelve elk near Estero Trail; luckily we had binoculars so we had a better view than this!

Trail Route

This route is pretty simple to follow: just stay left. You’ll start at the end of the parking lot to the right, closer to the road. There’ll be a few trail markers showing trails to your right, but stay on Muddy Hollow Road until you hit Glenbrook Trail to your left about 2.3 miles into the hike.

Take Glenbrook Trail to your left, follow that for 0.7 miles, then stay left onto Estero Trail. You’ll follow that for a long 4.0 miles. At first, it’s open ground near the ocean, but then you’ll see a stand of eucalyptus trees. After that, you’ll cross a stream, then the rest of the hike will be a mix of sun and shade.

Estero Trail continues until you cross a bridge and hit Muddy Hollow Trail. Again, go left, and in 0.3 miles, you’ll hit the parking lot again.

Notes

The two highlights of this hike were of course the ocean views and Tule elk. I had actually hiked this route once before and wasn’t terribly impressed, but it was the middle of summer and I had hiked in a clockwise direction, which I’ve now learned is all wrong! It was so much better hiking this counter-clockwise because you crest a hill and then start to see the ocean, and then you’re walking on and on towards the water. The only part that started to feel long is Estero Trail, which is 4.0 miles—once we hit the eucalyptus trees we started to wonder how much further we had to go.

As this hike is mostly out in the open sun, I’d avoid it in high summer, and starting early in the morning was a great idea, to start when it’s still cool and also to get a parking spot in the small lot on Muddy Hollow Road. And always bring a hat!