Pirates Cove–Coastal Trail, 4 sights is an 8.5-mile out-and-back in Marin Headlands near Marin City, CA. The route reaches Pirates Cove at the turnaround, 4.3 miles in. It climbs 2,215 ft, with sections as steep as 28% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 77/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Pirates Cove–Coastal Trail, 4 sights
8.5 mi · ▲ 2,215 ft · 3 hr 56 min
Elevation 19–863 ft
Out & Back · Marin Headlands
Trailhead: Miwok Trail Gerbode Valley · 37.83254, -122.52664
Weather Aug 3: Fog, high 65°F / low 54° · precip 1% · wind 13 mph · sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:18 PM
Transit-accessible: Bunker Road & Miwok Trail stop 2 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Miwok Trail, heading NE.
- 1.6 miSharp left onto Wolf Ridge Trail, heading W.
- 0.7 miContinue straight onto Coastal Trail, heading W.
- 1.2 miSharp left onto Tennessee Valley Trail, heading SW.
- 200 ftBear right onto Coastal Trail, heading W.
- 0.7 miReach Pirates Cove, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.7 miBear left onto Tennessee Valley Trail, heading NE.
- 200 ftSharp right onto Coastal Trail, heading S.
- 1.2 miContinue straight onto Wolf Ridge Trail, heading E.
- 0.7 miSharp right onto Miwok Trail, heading NE.
- 1.6 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 1.7 mi in (~59 min). Leave by 6:59 PM for the 8:18 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Bunker Road & Miwok Trail stop 2 m from the trailhead
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Miwok Trail Gerbode Valley Trailhead
- Hill 88–Marin Headlands Viewpoint, 4 sights 4.9 mi · ▲ 1,050 ft
- Peak 1041 & Miwok Trail 5 mi · ▲ 1,033 ft
- Hawk Camp Trail & Miwok Trail 7.3 mi · ▲ 1,536 ft
- Tennessee Beach–Miwok Trail, 3 sights 8.2 mi · ▲ 1,897 ft
- Haypress Camp Trail–Miwok Trail, 3 sights 9.9 mi · ▲ 1,912 ft
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