Richardson East–Alta Trail, 5 sights is an 11.8-mile out-and-back in Marin Headlands near Tamalpais Valley, CA. The route reaches Richardson East at the turnaround, 5.9 miles in. It climbs 2,421 ft, with sections as steep as 28% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 59/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
0 mi52 – 1,109 ft · steepest grade: 28%12.3 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Tennessee Valley Trail Trailhead 37.86036, -122.53634
Nearest town Tamalpais Valley, CA
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
Richardson East–Alta Trail, 5 sights
11.8 mi · ▲ 2,421 ft · 5 hr 9 min
Elevation 53–1,109 ft
Out & Back · Marin Headlands
Trailhead: Tennessee Valley Trail Trailhead · 37.86036, -122.53634
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:57 AM · sunset 7:12 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Tennessee Valley Trail, heading SW.
- 1.1 miTurn left onto Coastal Trail, heading S.
- 1.2 miContinue straight onto Wolf Ridge Trail, heading E.
- 0.7 miBear left onto Miwok Trail, heading NE.
- 0.9 miTurn right onto Bobcat Trail, heading N.
- 0.5 miBear left onto Hawk Camp Trail, heading E.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Bobcat Trail, heading E.
- 0.4 miSharp right onto Alta Trail, heading E.
- 0.7 miContinue straight onto Sundial Road, heading S.
- 0.4 miReach Richardson East, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.1 miSharp left onto Bobcat Trail, heading NW.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Hawk Camp Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftBear right, heading W.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Bobcat Trail, heading W.
- 0.5 miTurn left onto Miwok Trail, heading W.
- 0.9 miBear right onto Wolf Ridge Trail, heading S.
- 0.7 miContinue straight onto Coastal Trail, heading N.
- 1.2 miTurn right onto Tennessee Valley Trail, heading W.
- 1 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
74% dirt11% gravel10% paved5% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 6:57 AMSunset 7:12 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.9 mi in (~60 min). Leave by 5:52 PM for the 7:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. 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 Tennessee Valley Trail Trailhead Trailhead
- Miwok Trail–Tennessee Valley Trail, 3 sights 9.3 mi · ▲ 1,833 ft
- Alta Trail–Rodeo Valley Trail, 4 sights 14.8 mi · ▲ 3,017 ft
- Morning Sun Trail–Tennessee Valley Trail, 3 sights 11.4 mi · ▲ 2,561 ft
- Rodeo Avenue Trail–Tennessee Valley Trail, 3 sights 11.3 mi · ▲ 2,443 ft
- Old Springs Trail–Tennessee Valley Trail, 3 sights 9 mi · ▲ 1,757 ft
- Scotty's Bluff–Tennessee Beach, 5 beaches 7.5 mi · ▲ 1,741 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Tamalpais Valley, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Tamalpais Valley, California