08 · California, USA

The Dipsea Trail Race

Climb out of Mill Valley, cross Mount Tamalpais and drop hard to Stinson Beach.

Trail runningRaceOne wayHard
MILL VALLEY
USA

Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Mount Tamalpais State Park

37° 54' N
122° 33' W
11.9 kmDistance632 mElevation gainModerateSite gradeMill ValleyNearest base

Site grade

ModerateFeatured · Book difficulty: Hard

A short distance hides hundreds of stairs, steep climbing, technical descending, route-choice rules and coastal microclimates.

The experience

The course compresses steep ascent and technical descent into a distance that invites aggressive racing.

First run in 1905, Dipsea layers handicapped starts, permitted route choices and Marin trail history onto one point-to-point line.

The race crosses city, state, federal and private land and is among the oldest footraces in the United States.

Where the sources disagreeRace-day ribbons, off-limits areas and private-property permissions do not automatically apply outside the event; use current public-trail rules.

Trail path

The line
you follow.

StartDowntown Mill Valley near the DepotFinishStinson BeachDirectionWestbound, point-to-point
  1. 01Mill Valley Depot
  2. 02Dipsea Stairs
  3. 03Muir Woods area
  4. 04Cardiac Hill
  5. 05Insult Hill
  6. 06The Moors
  7. 07Stinson Beach

Route sections

01 · The Stair TaxMill Valley Depot to top of Dipsea Stairs
The race begins with road speed and immediately converts it into hundreds of steps.02 · Into the RedwoodsDipsea Stairs to Muir Woods
Trail choices and fast descending lead toward the cool forest corridor.03 · The Heart of the RaceMuir Woods to Cardiac and Insult
Sustained climbing and exposed trail deliver the route's decisive work.04 · Ocean DropThe Moors to Stinson Beach
A technical descent gives way to the final run toward the Pacific.

Weather profile

What the sky
is likely to do.

Coastal Mediterranean microclimates can shift from cool fog in the redwoods to warm exposed ridges.

Season & timing

Managed seasonAnnual organized raceBest windowCool, dry mornings outside storm damage or closure periods.Race timingJuneSurfaceRoad, stairs, dirt singletrack, roots, rock and steep descentDirectionWestbound, point-to-point

Signature moments

What you will
remember afterwards.

01

Dipsea Stairs

02

Muir Woods

03

Cardiac Hill

04

The Moors

05

Stinson Beach finish

FIRST RUN

1905

A 7.4-mile race with more than a century of history

The National Park Service documents the 7.4-mile Dipsea course across multiple land jurisdictions.

Access & logistics

AccessArrange a point-to-point shuttle or public transport between Mill Valley and Stinson Beach.PermitsOfficial race entry is required on race day; outside the race follow each land manager's rules.BookingsRace entry is limited; transport and parking plans are essential.WaterCarry water outside supported race conditions.FoodCarry what you need; services are available in the two towns.Mobile coverageVariable in wooded and canyon sections.

Key hazards

  • ▲Steep stairs
  • ▲Roots and technical descent
  • ▲Heat or fog shifts
  • ▲Poison oak
  • ▲Route-choice and access restrictions
  • ▲Crowding on race day

SafetyOrientation only. Always use current official maps, alerts and safety guidance.

Check official conditions →Request this run →

Official sources

Last verified 2026-07-28 · Record CETC-RUN-008 · Orientation only. Always use current official maps, alerts and safety guidance.