A new 0.6-mile section of the Easy Grade Trail has opened within Mt. Tamalpais State Park in Marin County, offering cyclists a safer, off-road alternative to the previously required detour along Pantoll Road. This addition closes a gap on the Ridge Trail network, enhancing the experience for mountain bikers navigating the scenic landscapes of Mt. Tamalpais, a local landmark.
For more than two decades, riders on the Ridge Trail through Mt. Tamalpais were forced to ride along Pantoll Road, a narrow, winding route with limited shoulder space and regular vehicle traffic. The completion of this new trail segment now allows cyclists to avoid the hazardous roadway entirely, providing a safer path between the Mountain Theater and the Pantoll Ranger Station.
The Easy Grade Trail’s inclusion in the Ridge Trail network forms part of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition’s 3 Gaps Initiative, which seeks to create continuous multi-use pathways in the region. This project aims to improve trail connectivity on Mt. Tamalpais as well as contribute to the broader vision of the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
The Bay Area Ridge Trail is an ambitious regional effort to develop a 550-mile multi-use trail system that will eventually circle the entire San Francisco Bay Area, linking nine counties and over 75 public parks, open space preserves, and other natural areas. Although still under construction, approximately 400 miles—or about 70%—of the trail are already accessible.
National Geographic recently recognized the Ridge Trail as one of its “100 Hikes of a Lifetime,” a testament to both the trail’s natural beauty and its growing popularity. The new Easy Grade Trail section not only improves safety by removing cyclists from traffic but also enhances access across Mt. Tamalpais State Park.
Officials and advocates highlighted the trail’s significance during the opening, emphasizing its role in expanding the connected network of off-road options for cyclists and other trail users throughout the Bay Area. Completion of the Ridge Trail is expected to further support outdoor recreation, promote environmental stewardship, and foster safer, sustainable transportation alternatives in one of California’s most scenic regions.