Near Ben Johnson Trail
My feet and lots of ferns on this trail.
Near Ben Johnson Trail
Looking across the trail on the hillside trail at Muir Woods.
Near Ben Johnson Trail
Entering Muir Woods from the Bootjack Trail
Near Ben Johnson Trail
Muir Woods moss covers everything.
Near Ben Johnson Trail
Muir Woods to Stinson beach

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Ben Johnson Trail

4.2 (10 Ratings)
A steep hike out of Muir Woods National Monument through the redwoods to the top of Mt. Tamalpais.
1.1
mi
Distance
867
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
Fall ColorsLess CrowdedSpringViewsWildflowers

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
1.13mi
Distance
867ft
Elevation Gain
0ft
Elevation Loss
35%
Max Grade
1,094ft
High Point
227ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
One can start the hike to the Ben Johnson Trail through Muir Woods National Monument by either the Redwood Creek Trail or the Hillside Trail. The steep climb to the ridge snakes through the redwood forest and up through the fog-line onto the grassland and shrub-scaped top of Mount Tamalpais. This trail is well shaded on a mostly soft pathway. However, expect to spend some energy on this mile climb. Ben Johnson is a great escape from the crowds below and can be utilized to complete a much longer loop.

Route Conditions

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Nearby Hike Routes

East Peak via Hogback + Fern Creek Trail

Hike Route

East Peak via Hogback + Fern Creek Trail

Views
moderate
4.1 mi
+1,610 ft
Mount Tamalpais from Muir Woods

Hike Route

Mount Tamalpais from Muir Woods

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strenuous
8.48 mi
+2,495 ft
Panoramic Loop

Hike Route

Panoramic Loop

Views
moderate
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+1,064 ft
Hillside Loop

Hike Route

Hillside Loop

Birding
easy
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+199 ft
Muir Woods via Deer Park Fire Road

Hike Route

Muir Woods via Deer Park Fire Road

Less Crowded
moderate
4.19 mi
+1,092 ft
Dipsea Trail and Ben Johnson Loop

Hike Route

Dipsea Trail and Ben Johnson Loop

Views
strenuous
10.79 mi
+3,158 ft
Contributors
Phil DiGirolamo