Lands End Coastal Trail

The walk starts at the Lands End Lookout, by the Merrie Way parking lot above the ruins of Sutro Baths. First go down the steps to the ruins, the remains of a vast public bathhouse of the 1890s, and climb back up. The Coastal Trail then follows the bed of an old railway along the clifftop, through cypress trees, with the Golden Gate Bridge ahead. At the Mile Rock Overlook a long flight of steps drops to Mile Rock Beach: this route goes down and comes back. The trail goes on, over a climb with stairs, to Eagles Point, an overlook facing the bridge. Return along the Coastal Trail.

It is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) round trip with 330 feet (100 m) of climbing; allow about 1½ hours. The grade is Easy: a wide path, level as far as the Mile Rock Overlook, with stairs beyond and on both side trips.

People have fallen from these cliffs and died. Stay on the trail, keep off the shore rocks, and watch for poison oak beside the path. Fog and wind can come in fast. Parking at Merrie Way is free. The park warns of thefts from cars here, so leave nothing in yours.

The trail is open from 6 am until an hour after sunset. Dogs are allowed, on a leash or under voice control.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.