Beginner-Friendly Rides Around Marin

These beginner-friendly rides around Marin offer a great biking experience and are appropriate for folks new or returning to riding their bicycle. Take yourself or someone else and enjoy the ride!

Before you go, familiarize yourself with proper bike riding safety and etiquette.

Beginner-Friendly Rides around Marin

Beginner-Friendly Rides around Marin

Hamilton Bay Trail

Route Description: Novato Skatepark to South Hamilton Park (4.4 miles out and back, or complete loop via Hangar Ave, Palm Dr, and Hamilton SMART Pathway). Flat; unpaved multi-use pathway (some exposure to vehicle traffic if doing the loop option); great educational signage about marsh habitat/restoration and bird watching! Connect to Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Ponds for more mileage!

Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Ponds

Route Description: Distance up to you, up to four pond loops to choose from.http://www.saferoutestoschools.org/documents/backofmap20172.pdf Flat; unpaved service roads (closed to cars, except for LGVSD vehicles); great bird watching! Connect to the Hamilton Bay Trail for more mileage! Check here for closure information before you go.

San Rafael Bay Trail 

Route Description: Pickleweed Park to Starkweather Shoreline Park (4 miles round trip). Flat; combination of paved and unpaved multi-use pathways (no exposure to vehicle traffic); great views of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and East Bay! Connect to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge multi-use pathway for more mileage!

Tam Valley Junction to Tennessee Valley

Route Description: 7 miles round-trip but as an out-and-back, can be as long or short as you want! A gradual, paved climb to the Tennessee Valley parking lot and then a gradual descent down to the beach. Be cautious, ride single-file, and use a rear light as Tennessee Valley Road is open to cars but traffic should be minimal.

CHINA CAMP STATE PARK

Route Description: This is an off-road ride, 4.2 miles out-and-back. You can extend this ride up to an 8-mile out-and-back! Beautiful scenery as you ride just across the road from the Bay.

Rush Creek Ramble

Route Description: The 500-acre preserve borders the Petaluma River Marsh Wildlife Area and boasts groves of manzanita, and stands of black oak and California bay. This modest 9 mile ride is an out-and-back on mostly flat fire road and a multi-use trail. It should take an hour or two, depending on your skills. Riders of all ages and abilities will enjoy this ramble!

Enjoy these beginner-friendly rides in Marin! Post your photos and tag us at #ExperienceMCBC.

Safe routes to schools

For suggested routes to many schools in Marin, click here

we want to hear from you!

What are your favorite beginner-friendly rides around Marin? Email matt@www.marinbike.org with your suggestions; we’ll add them here!

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