Merry-Go-Round Trail
5.6 mi · ▲ 1,430 ft · 2 hr 35 min
Merry-Go-Round Trail is a 5.6-mile out-and-back in Mount Madonna County Park near Interlaken, CA. It climbs 1,430 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade. It scores 53/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Merry-Go-Round Trail
5.6 mi · ▲ 1,430 ft · 2 hr 35 min
Elevation 471–1,871 ft
Out & Back · Mount Madonna County Park
Trailhead: Tan Oak Trail · 37.01289, -121.70808
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:15 AM · sunset 8:12 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Tan Oak Trail, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Lower Miller Trail, heading NE.
- 200 ftContinue straight onto Loop Trail Cut-off, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Loop Trail, heading NW.
- 350 ftTurn right onto Merry-Go-Round Trail, heading NE.
- 0.7 miBear left, heading E.
- 1.3 miBear left onto Mount Madonna County Park, heading SE.
- 0.3 miReach Merry-Go-Round Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miBear right onto Merry-Go-Round Trail, heading NW.
- 1.3 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.7 miTurn left onto Loop Trail, heading SW.
- 350 ftTurn right onto Loop Trail Cut-off, heading SE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Lower Miller Trail, heading SW.
- 200 ftTurn right onto Tan Oak Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~2 min). Leave by 7:51 PM for the 8:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:29 PM — 12 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Tan Oak Trail Trailhead
- Mount Madonna–White deer pen, 3 sights 1.3 mi · ▲ 265 ft
- Loop Trail 2.2 mi · ▲ 616 ft
- Miller House & Tan Oak Trail 2.6 mi · ▲ 234 ft
- Amphitheater–White deer pen, 5 sights 2.7 mi · ▲ 587 ft
- White deer pen–Blue Springs Trail, 5 sights 3 mi · ▲ 584 ft
- Loop Trail 3.8 mi · ▲ 498 ft
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Hikes near Interlaken, California