That adds an extra 2 and a half miles round-trip, which is not entirely a bad thing since it’s pretty nice and you can stop at the beach afterwards. If both lots are full, the best option is to start from the bottom of the hill at Stinson Beach. Overflow parking (also $8) is available at the Bootjack parking lot a quarter-mile up the road, but that also fills up quickly.

Even though there’s an $8 parking fee, the little Pantoll lot can fill up by 8 am on weekends. The biggest problem with this loop is that it’s become nearly impossible to find parking during the day. The Steep Ravine Trail includes a 14-rung wooden ladder that can be difficult to climb if the rungs are wet. After a rainfall, there are some mini-waterfalls and the trail becomes even more popular.

Nonetheless, the Steep Ravine Trail is still extremely popular on a nice weekend you might pass a group every two or three minutes. Although Steep Ravine’s redwoods are smaller and fewer in number than Muir Woods, the canyon is more enjoyable since it’s a lot less touristy. The loop descends from coastal bluffs with spectacular ocean views, through surprisingly lush mixed-species woodland, into a narrow canyon filled with lush old-growth redwood forest. This fun and exceptionally scenic loop is one canyon over from Muir Woods, in neighboring Mt.

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