Waterfall hikes
Popular waterfall hikes in Marin County include Cataract Falls
(a popular, steep hike with many cascades), Alamere Falls (a unique coastal
waterfall accessible via a trail from Palomarin trailhead), and
Cascade Falls in Mill Valley (an easy, short walk through a redwood
canyon).
Other options are
Carson Falls for panoramic views, Dawn Falls for a scenic redwood
hike, and the easier Waterfall Trail at Indian Valley.
Popular options (and you can
take your dog):
 |
Cataract Falls: A popular destination with multiple cascades
along the trail. It is a shorter, but steep hike.
 | Off Bolinas Fairfax Road. On Mount Tamalpais |
|
2.8 miles (out-and-back) |
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Elevation Gain: 1,053 feet |
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Difficulty: Hard |
|
2–2.5 hours |
|
The trail is known for being rocky and steep, with a challenging section at
the falls. |
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Alamere Falls: A unique tidefall that flows into the Pacific
Ocean.
| Point Reyes National Seashore, accessed from the
Palomarin Trailhead. |
| Hikers looking for an ocean view with a waterfall.
Arrive early on weekends as parking is limited. A strenuous
13-mile out-and-back trail in
Point Reyes
National Seashore, starting from the
Palomarin Trailhead near Bolinas.
It requires hiking to
Wildcat Campground and then walking along the beach during low tide to
reach the "tidefall" that flows onto the sand.
Hikers should check a tide chart to ensure they can access the beach, as it
can be completely submerged at high tide |
| Avoid the unofficial and dangerous Alamere Falls
Trail; stick to the Coast Trail. |
|
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Cascade Falls (Mill Valley): An easy, short, and leisurely walk
to a waterfall in a woodsy canyon.
| Near Old Mill Park in Mill Valley. |
| A quick and easy hike accessible from downtown Mill
Valley. |
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Morses Gulch Falls,
Stinson Beach 1.22 mi, 45 mins, head
over to this hidden beauty.
A couple of miles north of Stinson Beach, as of November 2020. This trail is
closed with a cable, mostly overgrown, covered
with nettles and brambles, and has wasp nests. |
Other great options ( not
sure about dog access)
|
Carson Falls: This hike features multiple waterfalls and offers
360-degree views of Marin County from Pine Mountain.
3.9 mi,
with an elevation gain of 1,013 ft. It takes about 2–2.5
hr |
|
Dawn Falls:
Baltimore Canyon Open Space, Larkspur: A
scenic hike through a redwood forest with a waterfall that splits into many
directions. 2.3 mi, with
an elevation gain of 374 ft. It takes about 1–1.5 hrs |
|
Waterfall Trail at Indian Valley: 0.5
miles An easy, mostly flat path in Novato
that is accessible to many, ending at a smaller waterfall. at Indian
Valley Open Space in Novato is an easy, short hike to a seasonal waterfall.
The trail follows the Indian Valley Fire Road and is accessible from
trailheads on Indian Valley Road or near the College of Marin parking lot.
The waterfall is most impressive in late winter and spring and has a 10-foot
drop with a pool below. |
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Fairway Falls: A short, easy trail through wilderness that ends
at a waterfall in Buck Gulch.
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