Ring Mountain Preserve

We're so lucky to have open spaces like this all over the Bay Area. Ring Mountain is a favorite of mine (especially as a family photographer) with it's incredible views in nearly every direction. I can't think of a better spot for sunrises and sunsets. Most of the trailheads are just little parking areas or neighborhoods, so don't expect amenities (i.e. bathrooms). The preserve itself is mostly open grass hills spotted with unique, large boulders and small stands of oak trees. Enjoy!

Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve in Corte Madera. Started the hike from Ring Mountain Fire Road to Phyllis Ellman Trail.

Beautiful place to hike for 360 views and wildflowers in the spring

It’s definitely pretty but for Marin County/the Bay Area it’s not that exciting, there are definitely so many more beautiful places to go hike nearby. That said if you’re looking for lots of warm sunshine and very little shade this is a good place to go.

Beautiful place and hidden gem to wander around and get lost in thought. Doesn't matter what trail you follow because there are plenty of intersections and loops. Enjoyed the rolling fog, rock features, and scenic views of the bay and surrounding small towns.

Great hike...took our 4 and 6 year olds (who are avid hikers with Mom and Dad) and did great. Whole loop took about 2 hours with stops for pictures and snack. Great view of bay area from the top.

Amazing views from above Tiburon on the ridge. Very well maintained trails, and good trail signage. Saw soaring hawks, 2 gopher snakes, and some poison oak, but not as much as I expected. Great trails for beginners and the experienced hikers, and leashed dogs are welcome.

Wonderful open space preserve with panoramic views. Only easy to moderately challenging hiking in most directions. Take a picnic and enjoy the view for a while

A good easy hike, and the views are some of the best of the Bay Area 365 view of everywhere including San Francisco

me and my girlfriend broke up two weeks after having a picnic there but otherwise it was incredibly beautiful and would recommend except for people in committed relationships but otherwise i would say 10/10 hike they had multiple options for people of all different hiking levels with tons of beautiful views of the bay area never realized how long the bay bridge was being from oregon lol but yeah visit if ya get the chance

I found Ring Mountain on AllTrails and mapped to the pinned location but was completely lost. After driving around the residential areas, my friend and I finally found an unmarked trail head. The first part of the trail was extremely muddy (which was strange because it hadn't rained in a few days) and our shoes + my white dog were covered in mud. We decided to venture up the mountain and found the actual trail which was very pleasant. There was no shade so definitely bring your sunscreen and sunglasses! I also found two ticks on my dog so make sure to check yourself/your dogs when you get home. The overall hike was very pleasant & fairly easy and the VIEWSSS were amazing! Pros: VIEWS, dog friendly (on leash), not many people, easy hike Cons: Ticks, no shade, difficult to find the actual trailhead All in all, my friend and I both agreed we would definitely do this hike again!

This mountain deserves nothing but 5 stars. Shame on you 1 through 4 star givers. Arguably one of the best hikes in the Bay Area.

Ring Mountain has sweet views of the City, Sausalito, Tiburon, Richmond Bridge, East Bay, and the Bay on a clear day. Hiking here is enjoyable, and most of the trails are easy. Dogs are welcome on leash, which is a definite plus for me. This is a great place to bring people visiting from out of town who want good views without doing a grueling workout. I recommend doing the loop trail starting on Paradise Drive. Parking is easy to find. Be mindful of private driveways, though. Ring Mountain is known for its biodiversity and geology. You can spot eclogite, garnet crystal, and serpentinite (which is very high in magnesium, producing serpentine soil- a soil with unusual chemistry). The landscape has many boulders, and it's not uncommon to see people bouldering. You can also find petroglyphs made by the Coastal Miwok people. In terms of wildlife, Ring Mountain is an island ecosystem. It's home to many birds (including raptors), deer, coyotes, and reptiles amongst others. In the spring, you can see many wildflowers, including buttercups, shooting stars, milkmaids, Fremont's camas, Tiburon jewelflower (endemic to the Tiburon Peninsula and only found in serpentine grasslands), Tiburon paintbrush, and the Tiburon mariposa lily (fun fact: it's not found anywhere else on earth)! When it blooms, you can find it near the summit in the grass. I find myself in Tiburon infrequently, but when I do visit, hiking Ring Mountain is often on my to-do list.

A nice place to hike. Beautiful view of Bay Area. Nice to get away from the busy city. A lot of rocks around the trail too.

One of my favorite trails in the bay area located in Tiburon. All trails app states Ring Mountain loop is 3.0 miles when actually it is not. If you park in the residential area by the mansions the total is 5miles RT which happened to us. No complaints with the gorgeous views filled with scenic greenery facing both sides of San Rafael Bridge and San Francisco. Rocks located everywhere so please watch your step. There is also bouldering and rock climbing available which many people seemed to be participating of course with social distancing available. I would totally come back to hike again.

I have been hiking as much as possible during this pandemic and one of my favorite spots is Ring Mountain. It automatically gets five stars for the views. The main trail is a gradual incline, but anyone can do it. It gets pretty muddy and slippery on the rocks after a rain. I went after a rain storm and the mud was sticky. There are some giant boulders and trees of all different shapes and sizes along the trail. At the top of the hill there is an amazing 360 view of Mt. Tam, San Quentin, the Richmond Bridge and the San Francisco skyline. I recently found some different trails that I want to explore next time and a new trail that goes back down the hill. I used to hike on the Tiburon side which is also nice, but I prefer the Corte Madera side off Paradise since there is more to sights to enjoy.

Wonderful park. From the parking lot, it's one major path, but once at the top, there's plenty of different paths and space for social distancing. Plenty of parking available. We were lucky and had a clear day to see the city and Richmond! Couple of large rocks where climbers are bouldering. It was pretty windy at the top, so bring a sweater or jacket. Definitely recommend this park to others.

Ring Mountain has several trails but the most concise way is to park In Corte Madera at the base of the Phyllis Ellman Trail which is right after Westward drive. This takes you to the Loop Trail which is about 2 miles RT up the to Ring Mountain Fire Road and looping back around. Right off of Ring Mountain fire Road is Turtle rock, a Serpentine rock formation which is a great for photos, snack breaks, and congregating with friends. From here there are other trails to explore, I love taking Ring Mountain Fire Road all along the ridge down to Strawberry and back but this is a bit longer (4 miles from Turtle Rock RT) so I usually just stick with the loop The best thing about this hike is the views! 360 views, to the North San Quentin, the East Berkley, the bay, and Oakland, to the South the city, and to the west Mt. Tam. On a clear day it's simply amazing and a great place for photos but take note the majority of the trail has no shade.

Take the Ring Mountain and Phyllis Ellman trail loop, you won't regret it. It only takes about an hour to an hour and a 1/2, and there is quite a bit of vertical to it but beautiful views to enjoy. Don't forget the sun block and the bug spray, we came away with a tick. This park is dog friendly as long as they're on a leash. Parking is along the street of Paradise Drive but there are plenty of spaces for all. No facilities are available so go before you leave home.

Very high payoff for relatively little effort! Park on Taylor Road, hike in, and you are almost instantly rewarded with incredible views including Tiburon, Sausalito, the whole North Bay, and Bay Bridge way in the distance. From the peak it's 360 breathtaking views, possibly the best I've ever seen in Bay Area. Dogs allowed on leash. Highly recommend!

Breathtaking views, rewarding hike once you get up to the top! My fellow Yelpers have said it all, one has to come here to see for themselves. My son and I really enjoy our hikes together, and we always bring a picnic. Being surrounded by Mother Nature is a wonderful thing. In life, the best things are free, enjoy every precious moment! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ring-mountain-open-space-corte-madera?select=LZAKU-kpKBlhEmBJL2ni1g https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ring-mountain-open-space-corte-madera?select=cAS0lG1tZrrRiX8H0KicvQ

Nice place to walk the dog (they must be on leash at all times). Though be careful, there are quite a few mountain lion sightings in this neck of the woods. It's not a particularly challenging hike, but Ring Mountain does boast spectacular views of the SF city skyline and the Richmond bridge, depending on which side of the hill you're on. So if you have out-of-town guests who are looking for some great photo ops, this is a good place to take them. There's always plenty of parking here, and you don't really run into too many other hikers. You pretty much have the whole mountain to yourself. And on a sunny day, you can't help but stare into the distance and have one of those pinch-me-I'm-so-lucky-to-live-in-the-Bay Area moments.

Hidden gem. Just when I thought I'd seen all the best geologic sites in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ring Mountain! The views are priceless, but the best thing is the amazing geology. Read up on the geologic history of Ring Mountain, and you'll appreciate your visit much more. Bring a camera.

We went on a guided Greenbelt Alliance hike to Ring Mountain OSP lead by Cathy & Tania it was a short, moderate, 3 mile loop hike with some steep sections, total elevation gain of about 500 ft. Dogs ok On Leash - if a Ranger sees it's not on leash you might get a ticket There's no bathrooms or water here. There's flush toilets at San Clemente Park, about 5 minutes drive before the trailhead, we used it first. Parking is along the side of the street in front of the trailhead. Stuff we saw: Mortar & Pestle rock where Miwok ground up acorns Views of Richmond-San Rafael Bridge; Bay Bridge; Northern tips of the Golden Gate Bridge Oak tree w/ frog face branch Rock carvings from Miwok Indians - don't know what they mean Tiburon Mariposa Lily - they looked kinda dried up, probably best May- early June, not sure. Rock w/ face carved out of it

One of the absolute best places for a very easy hike/stroll in the North Bay. Unforgettable views of Sausalito, the Bay, SF, Oakland... and I'm sure that I'm missing others. I have taken two different trailheads, which provided dramatically different experiences for a hike with a toddler. Entering via Paradise Rd. is a bit more of a steep climb with a rocky trail, while entering via Taylor Rd. avoids the more difficult section - that being said, it isn't too difficult, just keeping in mind that it is if you're towing a stroller :). I highly recommend making your way to Ring Mountain!

One of the best short-hikes in Marin. On a good day with clear skies, you'll get to see - Amazing birds, all kinds of them - Views of Richmond-San Rafael Bridge - Views of Marin County from the top - Views of Tiburon & SF downtown - Views of East Bay All in ~3 miles and roughly an hour, totally worth it!

What a gem of a place to have a walk with family and/or friends! I went here for the first time on New Year's Day. The sky was crystal clear and the views were gorgeous in all directions. It was a terrific way to start the new year! It's easy to find paths that aren't very difficult if you have people in your party that aren't expert hikers. Next time I might bring a picnic and enjoy the view. Be aware if you do so, there are no trash cans or bathroom facilities, so plan accordingly.

A really nice easy enough hike with gorgeous view of San Francisco and the Bay. I did it with my friend, her 4 month old baby and my golden retriever. BE WARNED dogs are allowed, but must be kept on leash. I received a ticket/fine from a less than nice park ranger because my dog was off leash.

Ring Mountain is a very interesting open space preserve. Who would have thought such a place existed in the midst of some highly developed residential area? It is not a park in the city. Once you have entered the ground of the preserve, you will feel like being in a different dimension. You are surrounded by nature. Even with the city still in sight, it is surprisingly easy to put all your mundane worries and troubles behind. There are lots of connected trails in this preserve. Not everything is clearly marked but it is not easy to get lost either. Most paths will bring you to those impressive rock formations so feel free to follow your instinct. The view of the bay is fabulous.

A short but fun hike in the hills above Larkspur. Today was my first venture into the small Marin town of Larkspur, and seeing as how it's Marin, I shouldn't have been surprised at how cute it is. But I still was! The trailhead starts at a fire road in one of the upper neighborhoods. It's very popular with dogs, but everyone seems pretty good about poop scooping. The first stretch of the trail is uphill and exposed. There were signs about "goats at work" - apparently they're using goats to clear some of the grass/brush. It also looked as though they'd recently cut a bunch of trees to lower the fire danger. Once you start on the Ring Mountain Loop trail, it's much nicer overall. It's a fairly narrow path, shaded, and really pretty. And as an added bonus, I didn't see any poison oak the whole time! The loop is probably a little over 2 miles, with some ups (stairs) and downs, but nothing too strenuous. Overall really nice! The only drawback I found was no good spot to stop and eat lunch (the Haight St sandwiches were burning a hole in my backpack!) I saw the smallest and cutest lizard of my life. I wanted to take it home but I couldn't catch it....

I'm a tough grader when it comes to nature. Chalk it up to growing up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada if you like. As a result, I'm giving Ring Mountain a four star review. This isn't to say it's not gorgeous. In fact, I'd say you get five-star views. However, it's probably a three-star hike at best. I was driving by the other day and decided it had been a while since I hiked up for the views so I pulled over and headed to to top. I made it in less than 20 minutes...in my flip flops. Oh yeah, I'm hard-core like that. I really do love this place though. I just like a bit more oomph when I hike. It's a great place to soak in the beauty of Marin. Just don't expect a great workout. P.S. - Don't judge me for the photo. Like I said, the last trip was completely spur of the moment, and the camera on my phone is less than ideal. No f-stops?

I am at a loss for words! This place is absolutely breath taking! If you want to feel like you are on top of the world, and feel like you are king of the bay, come here!!! The hike is a bit challenging. But we jogged up it with our dogs at about 3pm, and it was nice, and hot. We broke a sweat. We took a break somewhere near the middle of the hike, and we saw a spectacular sight, a hawk perched high atop a tree, and a little humming bird near him, just buzzing around. I've seen birds try and swoop on birds of prey, trying to ward them off. But that's not what this little humming bird was doing. They both were just chillin... So then we reached the top, and man was it amazing! We had a full 360 degree view of awesomeness! To the north was San Quentin, and the Corte Madera area, to the North east we could see The San Pablo Bay, and the Richmond, San Rafael bridge, We could see Richmond, Berkley, Oakland, The Bay Bridge, The city, Tiberon, Angle Island, The coit tower, The tips of the GG Bridge, Mount Tam and much more! It was a crystal clear day, and it was so beautiful. On our way down the hill, we came up on a coyote by accident, and we got very close with out noticing. When all of a sudden he let out a very loud yelp/howl... I have never been so close to a coyote, and I was thankful to have my 3 dogs with me, because I know had that sucker tried to charge at us, my dogs would have torn him up. This startled me, and the rest of the way down I carried a large rock the size of two soft balls. Towards the end there was a huge boulder which I smashed my "smashing rock" on, and let out a huge yell. This felt amazing as I was caring a bunch of anger, and aggression from my brother being a total A*hole to me... In all this place was a spectacular experience for me, and I will without a doubt be back! I'm very glad they allow dogs!!!

An amazing view of the Bay Area from just above the iconic natural feature "turtle rock". Best hike season is late winter or early spring time so you will miss the foggy mornings. Please park respectfully in the residential neighborhood which provides access to the trailhead. You can view an online map of the various trails online at Marin County Open Space Preserves- maps. Great for out of town guests wanting to see the beauty of Marin or a spirit lifting moderate hike with a 360* panoramic view of Mt. Tamalpais, Angel Island, and SFO, it is one not to miss.

Nice hiking area with great views of the bay and the bridge. A little small though and be careful not to use the private driveways..they are closed at some point. Parking can be tough but just go all the way up and leave your car in the cul-de-sac.

I am writing this about the Ring Mountain loop trail. I am 73 and managed to do it today, but I found it to be difficult. The people I talked to up there were all young and were doing the same hike with no problem. In any case the statements about the great views are all true. There is a loop trail, so I suggest you go up to the left and come down the same way. The other part of the loop is not worth doing, as the views are the same and the trail is awkward. I also highly reccommend taking your hiking stick and wearing hiking boots for the rocky path. It's all uphill--no flat areas---on the way up so be ready for that. This is all with reference to the trail that starts on Paradise drive.

Great views. Lots of trails. Easy to get to. Perfect adventure during the day and night. Fun! I usually take the trail starting at the end of Endeavor Drive to Turtle Rock. It isn't too strenuous but most of the trail is pretty steep on loose gravel. The paths are pretty straight forward and it isn't hard to find a path if you get off track. I have been hiking here numerous times at night and have gone off the trail with my friends. As long as you have a flashlight and general direction of where you're headed, then you're definitely going to get to your destination. Everything is flat - no tall trees, just low grass- so it's easy to see far into the distance. Ring Mountain is also my favorite since it seems to lead you to Tiburon onto other trails! Love this! I discovered that one particular path can lead you to "Split Rock" FUN, USEFUL TIPS: - Turtle Rock is the perfect place to learn how to boulder. I came here with my sister and her bf and we learned how to climb up the giant rock. Just bring chalk for your hands, a mat, and proper shoes! It's easy to see that many people have been bouldering here before since you can see chalk marks from other people's paths up the rock. - Come here on Fourth of July. Although it gets crowded at Turtle Rock, the view is gorgeous! You can see fireworks from all over the Bay Area with the 360 view! Bring snacks and blankets while you wait for the fireworks! - If you're hiking alone, be forewarned, my friend has spotted sketchy characters around here during the day.

The views may not be quite as jaw-dropping as at Old St Hilary's, but that's sort of like saying a Seniore's pizza isn't as drool-worthy as an Arizmendi pizza. Besides, you can get in a much longer walk here, plus check out some neat rock formations, and all in all it makes for another gorgeous Marin hike. The preserve was almost developed, and as it is the houses can be sort of eerily close in places, making it feel like you're in someone's backyard. The abundance of use trails can make it hard to follow the "official" trails, but it's easy enough to keep your bearings on the relatively open hillside.

Love this place. Great for kids. dogs, hiking, horses, rock climbing, and mountain biking. Majestic views of the Bay, including Tiburon, Belvedere, Sausalito, Richardson Bay, San Francisco and the GG bridge. Recommend this place for watching fireworks on the 4th with wonderful views of both Sausalito and San Francisco fireworks shows.

Stunning views of the Richmond Bridge and surrounding area. If you're looking for a local beginner-moderate level hike, stop here! There are many trails you can take once at the top but the shortest is around 2-miles. Perfect access (right off 101) and close to all great food and coffee spots so can grab a nice meal after the hike. Berries along the way (don't eat) and minimal poison oak. Expansive views that will set your day off right!

Ring Mountain is right behind my house, so it is a great place for a hike with my dog. The hike is easy/moderate. The toughest part is the incline near the top, but the view is so well worth it. You can see San Francisco, the San Rafael Bridge, and water - among others. The only reason for a reduction of 1 star is because you will get a ticket for walking your dog off leash, if caught. Did not happen to us, but it bums me out that my furry guy has to be leashed even though he fully listens to voice commands.

This was a really good hike to get beautiful views from many different angles of San Francisco and the Bay. Not the most challenging, it offers terrific views. As you walk around each crest and hill, you see more and more of the bay and eventually are able to see the Golden Gate Bridge and the City. There are some rocks to do some basic climbing as well as many flat areas to have a picnic or just relax. One of the best things was how easy it was to get here and park. Many of the other areas in Marin County have a lot of traffic on weekends and parking is a huge hassle; here I was able to stop within 50 feet of the entrance to the preserve. What a relaxing day!

A real jewel, especially for fans of wildflowers. Certainly not a huge place, but a great spot for a day hike during the Spring. Luckily most of the area is being preserved so no more tacky starter-castles can be built on the ridge. The Tiburon Mariposa Lily will make even the most hardened nature-hater say wow.

I am writing this review JUST IN CASE (soo very unlikely) I forget about how amazing this place is so I have the chance to remember... if I also decide to review my Yelp reviews. And in case I forget the name For all of you who have never been: it is ugly, smelly, full of trash, the trails suck and the rocks aren't worth climbing. And you can't see anything.

Great little place to hike especially if you have an hour lunch break. The hike to the top might be a little challenging to those who don't hike uphills often but totally gives you a good workout. The views are magnificent and you literally have a 360 view from Mt. Tam, San Quentin, Richmond Bridge, the east bay, Tiburon and the Golden Gate Bridge. I also bet this place is great to watch the sunrise (if there is no fog). And don't forget to checkout the other hiking trails as well.

Ring Mountain has some great views of the bay and nice trails. We spent some time bouldering on Split rock and Turtle rock. Beware that Turtle rock is pretty sharp and hurts hands. I would've loved to bring a picnic up here and just enjoy the view.

I live in tiburon, and I love to take folks that are visiting from out of town up to ring mtn. The weather seems to be much better than the mill valley mt. tam side of things, since I can look over that direction and see a veil of fog. If you live in marin, and like to hike, check out ring mtn!

Aside from the obvious, awesome, aspect of this area that is bouldering at Turtle Rock and Split Rock, there are many more grand features. For starters, the view. You can see everywhere across the Bay, it's glorious!! There're tons of trails, and apparently a unique flower that grows here and nowhere else (in the world?). Last 4th of July, Stella H., Halona L. and I got it in our heads that it'd be genius to come here in the afternoon, climb til nightfall, and then have a picnic while watching the fireworks. Foolproof plan! The one thing we did not account for were the gale force winds that assault the hillsides, since there's no protection from trees or anything (hence "open space"). Nevertheless, it was a great time, and we enjoyed four or five firework shows from all over the Bay while huddled up in blankets by Turtle Rock. Love this spot!

Although Ring Mountain Open Space is far from being my favorite hike, it's convenient to get here and the views are amazing. I used to work in Corte Madera, so it was nice to be able to get in a quick hike after work or during a long lunch. There isn't a ton of parking nearby, but you can usually find a spot along the road near the entrance. It gets really windy, so be sure to bring a jacket.

Seriously, what's not to love about this place! And it's very very touching how they are trying their best to protect the rare and endangered flower species - species that only grow there. The whole place is magical, especially when it's green after the rainy season. Wild flowers are beautiful. Views are spectacular.

We did some bouldering on Turtle Rock, one of the the marvelous rocks they have up there. Ring Mountain has a fantastic view on each side of the San Rafael bridge - Marin side and eastbay side. I really love this place - very peaceful, scenic, and quiet. I think this is the best place to get a nice aerial view of Marin, admire the length of the San Rafael bridge, and to check out the fancy homes nearby. It's pretty high up that sometimes you can see helicopters and birds flying the same level as you're hiking. It maybe all an illusion but I just love the view. I've seen several raptors hovering and other wildlife to chase, i mean, watch :) To get there, get off Lucky or Paradise Drive exit along 101 and take the Paradise Drive east of Corte Madera. Stay and follow Paradise Drive up for another half a mile and turn right on Taylor Road. There is limited parking at the end of Taylor Road but you can always park in the other residential street area and hike up to the trail entrance. If you google up Ring Mountain, the arrow will be right on the spot.

I am quite familiar with this park. My daughters school is on part of the preserve (Marin Country Day School), and we live close by .. so we have been here quite a few times. It is fantastic that the land was converted to protected status for all of us to enjoy! My family and children have been up and down Ring Mountain a number of times, and it affords some beautiful views of the Bay, hills and neighboring areas. Be aware that when it rains it is a vastly different experience! There is quite a bit of dirt on the trails and when it turns to mud you had better be sure to bring your goloshes!

The best picnic spot in the Bay Area. A beautiful hill with the Bay on three sides, a breathtaking view of the city with Alcatraz in the foreground, and a wide assortment of rare wildflowers blooming like mad. It nearly got developed, and was saved. You are goddamn lucky it was.

Very pretty place. We hiked here today and it was so peaceful. Even though it was a gorgeous, unusually warm winter day, we only encountered a few other hikers. Our dog loved it, too. We kept her on the leash, since you're technically supposed to, but I saw some other off-leash dogs. The view of the San Rafael bridge was gorgeous. We'll definitely be back.

Excellent spot to go for a hiking workout such a short distance north of San Francisco. The trails are relatively short but has a elevation gain significant enough for a cardiac workout. The reward us a view from the top looking towards San Francisco, nearby Tiburon, and the East Bay. On a nice day it's also great to sit in the shade of Turtle Rock and possibly take a nap. For someone like me who likes to hike despite a bad leg joint, the Loop Trail is easier because it's less rocky than the Phyllis Ellman Trail.

Gorgeous hike. I lived for a year in an apartment, staring at ring mountain, wondering if you could climb it. Before knowing trails existed, my brother and I stormed it one night and scaled a hillside cutting through probably someone's yard, lol. Later I found a great entrance on Reed Ranch road by talking to some neighbors. It's like a mini mount tamalpais. Amazing place.

I have been hiking here for years and found that it always satisfies. It is an up and down walk unless you drive near the top. There are many ways on and off the mountain so you can construct any number of walks easily. Fine views abound. Few mountain bikers. Enjoy !

I hiked up and up and saw the gorgeous view of the bay. It was very windy and nothing blocks the wind. I saw a lot of people with dogs. Perfect place to stop by for a short hike.