United StatesCalifornia Mt. Tam via Panoramic Hwy North
Mt. Tam via Panoramic Hwy North Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

14.7
PDI
6.6 mi
DISTANCE
2,397 ft
GAINED
6.9 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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INTRO

This is the most challenging climb in Marin County and boasts an impressive 5.02 FIETS index, well above any other climb in the county. Beginning in the popular coastal town of Stinson Beach.  The finish at the West Peak of Mt. Tamalpais offers the best views of San Francisco Bay and The City anywhere. 

PJAMM's Adventure App preloaded trips are viewed near the bottom of the page and include the Mt. Tam and Bay Area Most Scenic trips (Mt. Tam from Panoramic Drive North is PJAMM's selection for Bay Area #9 Most Scenic Bike Climb). 

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route.
The average grade of the climb is 6.8% (7.1% if descent is removed from the calculation).  The vast majority of the climb (74%/4.9 miles) is in the 5-10% gradient range while 0.5 miles (8%) is at 10-15%, and 0.6% is at 15-20%.  The steepest quarter-mile is 10% and steepest continuous mile is 7.9%. 

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway:  Excellent.

Traffic:  Light during the weekdays, moderate to heavy during weekends.

Parking:  If you are starting at the beginning of this climb, and get there early, or are lucky or in the off season, park at the Stinson Beach parking lot - Map;  Street View. 
Provisions:  At the Stinson Beach Market just a few blocks north of the start of the climb - Map;  Street View.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
There are five primary routes to the West Peak of Mt. Tamalpais - the Panoramic Highway North is the most challenging.  Our favorite is Mt. Tam via Alpine Dam.  See all routes here - Marin County.

Also consider riding across the Golden Gate and up to the top of Mt. Tam and back - Golden Gate - Mt. Tam

Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar above to see other bike climbs in this area. 

Hotels to stay in can be found in nearby San Rafael, where there are vacation rentals as well.

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Challenging
4
Road
3.5
Traffic
4
Scenery

CURRENT WEATHER

PJAMM TRIPS ADVENTURE STARTER BUNDLES

Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure.
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Apr 5, 2021
difficulty: Moderate
scenery: 3
traffic: 4
road: 4
Apr 5, 2021
scenery: 3
traffic: 4
road: 4
Nice consistent climb all the way up. Get in the groove and enjoy the views... some wooded areas and then views of the ocean and San Francisco at the top. Enjoyable climb with minimal traffic on a road with no shoulder and good pavement. Highly recomend!
Mar 15, 2021
difficulty: Strenuous
scenery: 5
traffic: 3
road: 4
Mar 15, 2021
scenery: 5
traffic: 3
road: 4
Awesome!
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Mt. Tamalpais from Panoramic Highway North -- View from Mt. Tam’s West Peak.

Most difficult bike climb in Marin County.

Ride 6.6 miles gaining 2,378’ at 6.8% average grade.

Climb to Mt. Tam West Peak

Strava Attempts as of 2-1-2023

From Alpine Dam

31,122

From Miller Ave

26,755

From Fairfax Bolinas Road

8,735

From Hwy 1 South

7,603

From Panoramic Hwy

7,195

From Marion Ave

3872

From Muir Woods

863

                Popularity of top routes up Mt. Tam

Before heading to the bay area on your cycling adventure, be sure to rely on our list of Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip, and use our interactive checklist to ensure you don't forget anything.

Climb summary by PJAMM’s John Johnson.

Start of the climb.

This is the most challenging climb in Marin County and boasts an impressive 5.02 FIETS index, well above any other climb in the county.  The climb begins in the popular coastal town of Stinson Beach.  Provisions are available at the Stinson Beach Market about a half mile to the north on Highway 1 from the climb start point.

Mt. Tamalpais is the highest point in the Marin County and has two peaks: the East Peak (2,574'), and West Peak (2,563').  The white radar dome that sits upon Mt. Tam's slightly lower western peak is quite discernable from afar.  

Top left: Dome as seen from Ridgecrest Blvd (from Alpine Dam and Fairfax-Bolinas routes

Bottom left: Dome as seen from Panoramic Highway (north/south) and Muir Woods routes.

The climb is divided into three segments:

1.   Panoramic Highway from Stinson Beach:  This portion has some great views of the Pacific Ocean to the west, giving way to redwood trees bordering the highway for several miles until near the top and just shy of Pantoll Campground and Mt. Tamalpais State Park.  ​There is a Visitor Center here where maps and information about the area are gladly dispensed by Park Rangers. There is also water at this location. The statistics for this section of the climb are 3.6 miles / 1,375' gained / 7.3% average grade.  

Hairpin 0.9 miles up from the start.

 

The road is surrounded and covered by forest from miles 1.7 to 3.2 (turnoff to Pantoll Road).

2.   Pantoll Road: ​The second leg is up Pantoll Road from its intersection with Panoramic Highway, to Rock Springs Parking Area (a staging area for several truck television commercials).  Along this route we have great views down to the Pacific Ocean and, as we climb higher, of Mt. Diablo, the San Francisco Bay, and San Francisco.  This segment is 1.4 miles / 490' / 6.2% average grade.  

Climbing Mt. Tam via Panoramic Hwy North by bike - hillside with loan tree, fog

Pantoll Road, miles 3.2 to 5.1.

     3.    Ridgecrest Boulevard: ​The final leg is along Ridgecrest Boulevard East.  This portion is the easiest of the three, and gives us more spectacular views of Mt. Diablo, the San Francisco Bay, and San Francisco.  This segment ends as Ridgecrest "crests" just east of the radio dome atop Mt. Tam’s West Peak, and is 1.5 miles / 510’ / 6.8% average grade.

Last 1.5 miles are on Ridgecrest Boulevard.

 Climbing by bike Mt. Tam via Panoramic Hwy North - view from West Peak of San Francisco

Spectacular views to the south (our right) on Ridgecrest.

 

Segment on Ridgecrest between Pantoll and West Peak.

We pass the entrance to the old Cold War Air Force Station ¼ mile from the top.

We took a detour to the old radar dome (note that the road is marked “no trespass”).

    cycling Mt. Tamalpais from Fairfax Bolinas Road - view of San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay from the top.

Come for the ride, stay for the views.

EAST PEAK

View from the summit of Mt. Tamalpais East Peak

Ride another 1.5 miles gaining 175’ (and losing 337’) to Mt. Tam’s East Peak.

Gravity Car Barn and Visitor Center at the finish of the East Peak route.

“At the top of Mt. Tamalpais is the modest East Peak Visitor Center. Hours of operation are between 11am to 4pm on weekends only. Note that the Visitor Center is staffed by volunteers and hours are subject to change. Here you’ll find:

Maps, books, apparel, and souvenirs for sale; a portion of all proceeds go to the park for maintenance and preservation.

Interpretive displays to help connect visitors with the natural and cultural resources found at the park.”  FriendsofMtTam.org

“Those who live in the shadow of its majesty, who have climbed its many challenging trails, who have marveled at the 360 degree views from its summit, or have spent time pondering its impact on the skyline of the San Francisco Bay Area, cherish the power and natural beauty of Mt. Tamalpais. One hundred years ago, people as impressed and inspired by “The Sleeping Lady” came for a visit from the world over. Their goal — to steam up the mountain in what was affectionately called “The Crookedest Railroad in the World.”  FriendsofMtTam.org

Water, bathrooms and bike rack at the finish

After hiking to the top, we suggest . . .

. . . bring a cable and lock and use the bike racks.

Mt. Tam Summit

Summit views.

Views of Mt. St. Helena to the north (left) and Mt. Diablo to the east (right)

That’s a wrap . . . for Mt. Tam anyway . . .

A very pleasant, and challenging, 46 mile route that captures the two top climbs in Marin County begins from the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge, across the Bridge, through Sausalito and Mill Valley, down to Muir Woods, back up to Panoramic Highway (follow Panoramic Highway from its southern intersection, Muir Woods Road and Panoramic Highway, to its northern point at Stinson Beach on Highway 1, a total of 8.1 miles), up to the top of Mt. Tam and then follow the route back to San Francisco.  See PJAMM Cycling’s Golden Gate Bridge Page and also its RideWithGPS map for more details.

This climb can be included in an out and back from San Francisco.