The Tennessee Valley trail is one of the nearest, most isolated, and most accessible hikes in the area surrounding San Francisco. Nestled between the hills of the Marin Headlands, and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Tennessee Valley is a beautiful 1.7 mile hike from the trailhead to the ocean's edge at Tennessee Beach.
The valley is named after a 19th century ship that wrecked off the beach when a wayward ship captain mistaked the hills surrounding Tennessee Valley as markers for the golden gate. The ship wrecked in the cove, and even today small bits and pieces of the wreck remain.
Hiking Tennessee Valley is easy - the route is mostly flat, and hikers of all shapes and sizes can be found on the trail. If you're looking for an added challenge, the trail is one of several coastal hiking trails that lead from Muir Beach to Rodeo Beach in the headlands. Just be aware that hiking out of the valley, everything is uphill!
To get to the Tennessee Valley trailhead: Take highway 101 to Mill Valley, exit at Mill Valley / Stinson Beach / Hwy. 1, and follow Shoreline Hwy. until you see the Tennessee Valley Road sign. That road dead-ends at the trailhead. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.
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